14 October 2026International edition
Vol. I · No.
14 October 2026
AI in Fashion
DAILY
The daily briefing on AI in the fashion business
Where fashion meets artificial intelligence.
Premium and contemporary

Velvet by Graham & Spencer

United States

Velvet by Graham & Spencer is a Los Angeles fashion brand founded in 1997 by Jenny Graham and Toni Spencer. It began with women's t-shirts and now offers full women's and men's collections of elevated basics.

Facts
Founded1997
FoundersJenny Graham, Toni Spencer
BaseCulver City, California
Men's lineIntroduced 2003
Websitevelvet-tees.com
Segment
Premium
Categories
WomenswearMenswearAccessoriesHome
Sales channels
E-commerceWholesaleDepartment storesOwn stores

What is Velvet by Graham & Spencer?

Velvet by Graham & Spencer is an American contemporary fashion brand based in Culver City in the Los Angeles area. It is known for well-made, clean and elevated wardrobe staples with a relaxed Californian feel.

History

The brand was founded in 1997 by Jenny Graham and Toni Spencer, who set out to make fashion-forward t-shirts that captured the laid-back luxury of LA style. The idea was a fresh approach for women who wanted more than novelty from fashion, pairing quality fabrics with trend-setting basics. A men's line followed in 2003.

Products and positioning

  • Women's tees, tops, sweaters, dresses, trousers and outerwear
  • Men's tees, polos, henleys, knitwear and outerwear
  • A lifestyle range of bags, hats, scarves, jewellery, sunglasses and home items
  • Seasonal edits such as linen and loungewear

Distribution

Velvet is sold in upscale boutiques and in speciality and department stores across several continents, in cities including New York, London, Paris, Sydney, Toronto and Tokyo. It also runs its own e-commerce site and stores, and supports retailers through wholesale showrooms.

Why it matters

Velvet is a long-running example of an LA label that grew from a single hero product, the t-shirt, into a broad lifestyle wardrobe while keeping a consistent casual luxury identity.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Velvet by Graham & Spencer?

The brand was founded in 1997 by Jenny Graham and Toni Spencer in Los Angeles.

What is Velvet by Graham & Spencer known for?

It is known for soft, fashion-forward t-shirts and elevated everyday staples with a laid-back LA style.

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