Vineyard Vines
United States
Vineyard Vines is an American preppy lifestyle brand founded in 1998 by brothers Shep and Ian Murray in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard. It is known for ties, shirts and casualwear for men, women and children and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
| Founded | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Shep Murray and Ian Murray |
| Headquarters | Stamford, Connecticut, United States |
| Segment | Premium and contemporary |
| First store | Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard |
| Website | vineyardvines.com |
What is Vineyard Vines?
Vineyard Vines is an American casual and preppy lifestyle brand. Its range includes ties, hats, belts, shirts, shorts, swimwear and bags for men, women and children, with performance wear and licensed products such as NFL and MLB lines. College-branded apparel is sold mainly through campus stores.
History
Brothers Shep and Ian Murray started the business in 1998 by selling ties from a backpack, a boat or a Jeep. They sold 800 ties in a single July weekend, which funded a new office, and then opened stores in Edgartown and in Greenwich, Connecticut. The company appeared on the Inc. 5000 list in 2007, with revenue tripling between 2004 and 2007.
A new headquarters at 181 Harbor Drive in Stamford, Connecticut, opened in 2015. In 2019 the brand launched a 300-product limited collection with Target. In March 2020 it temporarily closed all stores because of COVID-19.
Business model and distribution
Vineyard Vines sells through its own full-price and outlet stores, its website and wholesale to other retailers. Wikipedia reports more than 100 company, outlet and retail stores in the United States and sales through more than 600 other retailers. Manufacturing is mostly offshore, including Vietnam, China, South America and Peru. These figures are not precisely dated and should be treated as indicative.
Ownership is not verified here. Wikipedia describes the company as still owned by the Murray brothers, but this may predate later investor involvement, so no owner is stated.
Why it matters
Vineyard Vines is one of the most recognisable American preppy brands, and shows how a small accessories start-up can grow into a lifestyle brand with its own store network, wholesale distribution and licensing.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Vineyard Vines?
Vineyard Vines was founded in 1998 by brothers Shep and Ian Murray. They began by selling ties on Martha's Vineyard.
Where is Vineyard Vines from?
Vineyard Vines is an American brand that started in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Its headquarters have been in Stamford, Connecticut, since 2015.