Van Heusen
Authentic Brands Group · United States
Van Heusen is an American menswear brand best known for its shirts, with roots going back to 1881 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. It has been owned by Authentic Brands Group since 2021.
| Founded | 1881, Pottsville, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Founders | Moses Phillips and Isaac Phillips |
| Collar patent | 1919, John Manning Van Heusen |
| Owner | Authentic Brands Group (since 2021) |
| Website | vanheusen.com |
What is Van Heusen?
Van Heusen is an American menswear brand best known for its shirts. Its roots go back to 1881 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and since 2021 it has been owned by Authentic Brands Group.
History
Moses Phillips and his son Isaac began by selling shirts to local coal miners, with the early garments hand-sewn by Moses' wife and daughters. The business later expanded to New York City.
In 1919 John Manning Van Heusen, a Dutch immigrant, was granted a patent for a process that fused cloth on a curve to create a soft-folding collar. Isaac Phillips bought the US patent, an alliance that gave rise to the Phillips-Van Heusen name. Authentic Brands Group acquired Van Heusen in 2021.
Products and positioning
- Long and short sleeve shirts, including performance and camp shirts
- Polos and sweaters
- Trousers
- Big and tall sizes
The soft-folding collar remains a core part of the brand's heritage story.
Distribution
Van Heusen sells through its own online store, and dedicated brand sites also operate in other markets, including Australia.
Why it matters
Van Heusen is one of the oldest names in American menswear and an example of how heritage apparel brands have moved to ownership by brand management companies.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Van Heusen?
Van Heusen has been owned by Authentic Brands Group since 2021.
Where does the name Van Heusen come from?
It comes from John Manning Van Heusen, a Dutch immigrant whose 1919 soft-folding collar patent was bought by Isaac Phillips.