Claire's
Claire's is an American specialty retailer of fashion accessories, jewelry, beauty products, toys and ear-piercing services aimed primarily at children, tweens, teenagers and young women.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Claire's is an American specialty retail brand best known for affordable fashion jewelry, hair accessories, cosmetics, novelty merchandise, licensed products and ear-piercing services. Its core customer base has historically been children, tweens, teenagers and young women, with stores designed to combine trend-led accessories with an accessible, gift-oriented shopping experience. The business is especially associated with shopping malls, outlet and high-street locations, concessions and compact stores located near other youth-focused retailers. The company traces its origins to Fashion Tress Industries, founded by Rowland Schaefer in 1961 as a fashion-wig seller. Fashion Tress acquired Claire's, then a 25-store jewelry chain, in 1973 and shifted its emphasis toward fashion jewelry and accessories. The company adopted the Claire's name in 1997, after using names including Claire's Accessories. Ear piercing became an important service in 1978, helping differentiate the retailer from conventional accessory stores. Claire's has claimed more than 100 million ear piercings over a period exceeding 25 years. During the 1980s and 1990s, Claire's expanded through new stores and acquisitions. It acquired Japan's Topkapi chain, British retailer Bow Bangles, the American chains The Icing and Accessory Place, Swiss chain Bijoux One, Paris-based Cleopatre and Afterthoughts, and later the clothing chain Mr. Rags. The Icing became a related North American concept aimed at somewhat older teens and young women, offering more sophisticated accessories and lifestyle merchandise. Claire's also developed international sourcing and distribution capabilities, including a Hong Kong office established in 1980. The company was publicly traded on Nasdaq before Apollo Global Management acquired it in a 2007 leveraged buyout valued at $3.1 billion and took it private. International operations were reorganized during the following decade, while Claire's expanded into markets including Ukraine, India, Mexico, China, Italy, Indonesia, Luxembourg, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Honduras. E-commerce began in the United States in 2011. At its 2012 scale, the retailer reported 3,469 stores in 37 countries. Heavy leverage and changing retail conditions contributed to a Chapter 11 filing in the United States in 2018. Claire's used the restructuring to reduce debt and close underperforming locations, with financial support from Elliott Management and Monarch Alternative Capital. After emerging from bankruptcy, the company pursued a strategy focused on stronger malls, selective store closures, digital commerce and smaller shop-in-shop formats in drugstores and grocery chains. In 2022 it announced preliminary fiscal 2021 revenue of $1.4 billion and plans for an initial public offering, but the IPO did not result in the company becoming publicly listed according to the supplied reference material. Claire's experienced renewed financial stress in 2025 amid weaker consumer demand, higher import costs, tariff-related pressure and substantial debt. It filed for U.S. Chapter 11 protection for a second time in August 2025 and sought Canadian creditor protection. The restructuring initially threatened the North American store base, including the discontinuation of Icing, but Ames Watson Capital subsequently acquired the North American business and intellectual property for $140 million, with plans to keep part of the retail network operating. European operations underwent separate insolvency, administration or restructuring processes. The brand therefore remained active, but its store footprint, ownership and regional operating structure changed substantially.
History
Claire's began in 1961 as Fashion Tress Industries, founded by Rowland Schaefer to sell fashion wigs. Fashion Tress acquired Claire's, a 25-store jewelry chain, in 1973 and redirected the business toward costume jewelry and fashion accessories. Ear piercing was introduced in 1978, becoming one of the chain's most recognizable services. A Hong Kong sourcing office followed in 1980, supporting the import-heavy merchandise model used by the expanding retailer. The company expanded across the United States during the 1980s and pursued acquisitions in several countries during the 1990s. These included Topkapi in Japan, Bow Bangles in the United Kingdom, The Icing and Accessory Place in the United States, Bijoux One in Switzerland, Cleopatre in France and Afterthoughts in the United States. The Icing was positioned for older consumers and became an important related concept in North America. The corporate name changed to Claire's in 1997. The company launched claires.com in 2001 and acquired Mr. Rags in 2002. Claire's was listed on Nasdaq until Apollo Global Management completed a $3.1 billion leveraged buyout in 2007. European operations were consolidated under a Birmingham-based structure in 2008. The retailer continued international expansion, opening in Ukraine in 2010, launching U.S. e-commerce and entering India and Mexico in 2011, and opening stores in several additional countries in 2012. By October 2012, the company reported 3,469 stores in 37 countries. Debt accumulated during the private-equity ownership period became a central issue as mall traffic and specialty retail conditions changed. Claire's filed for Chapter 11 in the United States in 2018, intending to eliminate a large portion of its debt and close nearly 100 weaker locations. Elliott Management and Monarch Alternative Capital participated in the restructuring. The post-bankruptcy strategy emphasized stronger retail locations, digital commerce and concessions or kiosks in drugstore and grocery environments. In 2022 the company reported preliminary fiscal 2021 revenue of $1.4 billion and announced an intention to pursue an IPO. In 2019, Claire's faced regulatory and reputational pressure after FDA testing raised the possible presence of asbestos in certain talc-containing cosmetics. The company maintained that the products were safe and disputed the FDA's classification, while issuing voluntary recalls and ending the use of talc in its products. A JoJo Siwa cosmetic kit was also voluntarily recalled that year. Financial pressure returned in 2025. Claire's cited declining demand, import-cost increases, tariffs and debt as it considered another restructuring. The U.S. company filed for Chapter 11 in August, while the Canadian business sought protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. The company announced closures affecting its Claire's and Icing stores and said that the Icing brand would be discontinued in North America. Regional European businesses entered separate administration, receivership or bankruptcy processes. Ames Watson later bought the North American business and intellectual property for $140 million. The supplied reference also reports subsequent changes involving the U.K. and Irish business, including a sale to Modella Capital and later administration proceedings; these developments indicate that Claire's has continued as a reorganized brand rather than as a single uniformly owned global company.
- 2025
Second U.S. Chapter 11 filing
[1]Claire's enters another U.S. restructuring and seeks Canadian creditor protection.
- 2025
Ames Watson acquires North American business
[1]Ames Watson purchases the North American operations and intellectual property out of bankruptcy for $140 million.
- 2019
Cosmetic recalls follow FDA asbestos concerns
[1]The company voluntarily recalls certain products after FDA testing raises possible asbestos concerns.
- 2018
First U.S. Chapter 11 restructuring
[1]Claire's files for bankruptcy protection to reduce debt and close weaker locations.
- 2011
U.S. e-commerce launches
[1]Claire's begins U.S. online commerce while expanding into India and Mexico.
- 2007
Apollo takes Claire's private
[1]Apollo Global Management completes a $3.1 billion leveraged buyout.
- 2001
Claire's launches its website
[1]The claires.com website is launched.
- 1997
The company adopts the Claire's name
[1]The business changes its corporate name after operating under Claire's Accessories-related names.
- 1980
Hong Kong sourcing office opens
[1]The company establishes an Asian sourcing base to support international merchandise supply.
- 1978
Ear-piercing services begin
[1]Ear piercing becomes a major service and point of differentiation for the retailer.
Products and positioning
Accessible, trend-led and giftable accessories for children, tweens, teens and young women, supported by mall-based convenience, licensed character products and in-store ear piercing.
Fashion accessories
Claire's fashion jewelry
The core assortment includes costume jewelry, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, imitation gemstones, imitation pearls and body jewelry. Designs are refreshed frequently and span children’s motifs, youth trends, seasonal themes and everyday styles.
Children's accessories
Claire's Club
Claire's Club is a children-oriented range aimed at younger customers, with jewelry and accessories using princess, fairy, unicorn and mermaid themes. It complements the broader tween and teen assortment.
Beauty products
Beauty and cosmetics
Claire's stores have carried makeup, perfumes and related beauty products, including licensed and novelty cosmetics. The category became subject to voluntary recalls in 2019 after FDA concerns about possible asbestos in certain talc-containing items.
Fashion accessories
Hair accessories and bags
The assortment includes hair clips, scrunchies, headwear, hair bands, handbags, purses and other small fashion accessories designed for coordinated outfits and impulse purchases.
Related retail brand
Icing
Icing was the North American sister concept aimed at older teens and young women, generally offering more sophisticated and higher-priced accessories along with candles, cosmetics, party merchandise, wedding and bachelorette items, and footwear. The supplied reference states that the brand was discontinued in North America during the 2025 restructuring.
Retail service · 1978
Ear-piercing service
Many Claire's locations provide ear and cartilage piercing using trained staff and Studex equipment. The service is offered subject to age, immunization and cartilage-piercing restrictions.
Controversies
2019
Possible asbestos in talc-containing cosmetics
The FDA reported possible asbestos in certain Claire's cosmetics sold between October 2016 and March 2019. Claire's said the FDA had mischaracterized fibers and maintained confidence in product safety, but issued voluntary recalls, advised consumers to stop using affected products and stated that it had stopped using talc. A JoJo Siwa makeup kit was recalled in May 2019.
Brand decisions
2025
Enter a second bankruptcy restructuringOtherBackground
Claire's cited declining demand, higher import costs, tariff pressure and heavy debt.
Action taken
The company filed U.S. Chapter 11 proceedings, sought Canadian creditor protection and announced extensive store closures while seeking buyers.
Aftermath
The North American business and intellectual property were later sold to Ames Watson, with a reduced store base intended to continue operating.
2025
Sell the North American business to Ames WatsonM&ABackground
The North American operations were being sold through the bankruptcy process after threatened liquidation of the regional footprint.
Action taken
Ames Watson acquired the North American business and intellectual property for $140 million.
Aftermath
The buyer stated an intention to retain some Claire's stores, while 235 Claire's and 56 Icing locations were identified for closure in the restructuring plan.
Purchase price. $140 million (2025)
2022
Announce an initial public offering planStrategyBackground
After emerging from bankruptcy, Claire's reported preliminary fiscal 2021 sales growth and sought to reposition its store network.
Action taken
The company announced plans to pursue an IPO while emphasizing prestige malls and shop-in-shop locations.
Aftermath
The supplied material does not establish that the IPO was completed.
Preliminary fiscal-year revenue. $1.4 billion (Fiscal year 2021, announced in 2022)
2018
Restructure through Chapter 11StrategyBackground
Heavy debt and underperforming retail locations placed pressure on the business.
Action taken
Claire's filed for U.S. Chapter 11 protection, pursued debt reduction and planned to close nearly 100 weaker locations.
Aftermath
The company emerged from bankruptcy and shifted toward stronger malls, online commerce and concession formats.
2007
Accept Apollo Global Management buyoutM&ABackground
Claire's was a publicly traded retailer before the transaction.
Action taken
Apollo Global Management acquired the company in a leveraged buyout valued at $3.1 billion and took it private.
Aftermath
The transaction increased private-equity ownership and leverage in the business.
Transaction value. $3.1 billion (2007)
Recent events
Reported
Claire’s appoints Richard Flint President of Europe[2]
Claire’s announced Richard Flint’s appointment as President of Europe, where he will lead the brand’s business in the region.
Reported
Claire’s announces Cdrop subscription service[3]
Claire’s announced the launch of Cdrop, its first subscription service, offering curated jewelry and accessory boxes through quarterly subscriptions or one-time purchases.
Reported
Claire's launches its UK and Ireland loyalty programme[4]
Claire's launched Claire's Rewards in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The free programme offers points for purchases and engagement, rewards, free shipping, personalised deals and member events.
Reported
Claire’s announces collaboration with Sky Brown[5]
Claire’s announced an exclusive collaboration with skateboarder and surfer Sky Brown on a skate-inspired jewelry and accessories collection, which was scheduled to launch on August 13, 2020.
Reported
Claire’s and Icing temporarily close North American stores[6]
Claire's Stores announced that it would temporarily close all Claire's and Icing stores in North America effective March 17, with stores expected to remain closed until at least March 27.
Sources6 sources
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