PVH Corp.
A United States-based global apparel company whose principal brands include Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
PVH Corp., formerly known as Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, is a global apparel company headquartered in New York City. Its best-known businesses are Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, two internationally distributed fashion brands spanning clothing, accessories, footwear, underwear, denim, lifestyle products and related categories. PVH also manages brand licensing and wholesale, retail and direct-to-consumer operations, although the mix of owned brands, licensed categories and distribution arrangements has changed substantially over time. The company traces its history to two nineteenth-century shirt businesses. Moses Phillips and his wife Endel began making shirts in 1881 and selling them to coal miners in Pennsylvania. Separately, D. Jones & Sons had developed a shirt-manufacturing operation. The two businesses combined in 1907 as Phillips-Jones, and the company later became associated with John Manning van Heusen and the Van Heusen shirt brand. Phillips-Jones was renamed Phillips-Van Heusen in 1957. Its early growth was based on practical innovations in men's shirts and collars, including a self-folding collar patented in 1919 and commercialized in the early 1920s. During the twentieth century, PVH expanded beyond its original shirt business. It introduced or acquired brands including Bass, Geoffrey Beene, Izod, Arrow and Calvin Klein. The 2002 acquisition of Calvin Klein gave the company a major global designer brand, while the 2010 acquisition of Tommy Hilfiger for approximately $3 billion transformed PVH into a much larger international fashion group. The 2013 acquisition of Warnaco further consolidated control over Calvin Klein underwear, jeans and sportswear in relevant markets and added other apparel and swimwear assets. PVH has also used licensing as a core business tool. At different times it produced or distributed products under names such as Timberland, Donald J. Trump, Michael Kors, DKNY, Nautica, Perry Ellis, Ted Baker and others. Several legacy businesses were subsequently sold, licensed out or discontinued. PVH sold G.H. Bass in 2013, returned its North American Speedo rights to Pentland Group in 2020, sold several Heritage Brands to Authentic Brands Group in 2021, and divested Warner's, Olga and True&Co. in 2023. These transactions reflect a strategic concentration on Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. PVH sells through department stores, specialty retailers, digital commerce, wholesale partners, brand websites and company-operated or partner-operated stores. Its supply chain is international, with sourcing and business activity across Asia and other manufacturing regions. The company has faced scrutiny over supply-chain environmental impacts, historical advertising practices, animal-material policies, taxation and, more recently, its position in the Xinjiang cotton controversy. PVH has also announced sustainability and supply-chain finance initiatives tied to environmental and social performance. In 2021, Stefan Larsson became chief executive officer, succeeding Emanuel Chirico, who remained chairman. PVH's current strategic direction emphasizes brand elevation, international growth, direct-to-consumer development, digital commerce and a narrower portfolio centered on Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. In February 2025, China placed PVH on its Unreliable Entities List while investigating allegations related to the company's treatment of Xinjiang cotton; PVH said it was surprised and disappointed and maintained that it operated in compliance with applicable laws and industry standards.
History
PVH's history combines the development of American shirt manufacturing with a later transformation into a global branded-fashion group. Moses Phillips and his wife Endel began making shirts by hand in 1881 and selling them from pushcarts to coal miners around Pottsville, Pennsylvania. A separate enterprise, D. Jones & Sons, had been established earlier by Prussian immigrant Dramin Jones. After Jones's death, D. Jones & Sons and M. Phillips & Sons merged in 1907 as Phillips-Jones. The company built its early reputation through shirt innovation and marketing. It received a patent for a self-folding collar in 1919 and brought the product to market in 1921. A collar-attached shirt followed in 1929. The business also became linked to John Manning van Heusen, whose curved-cloth process helped support the Van Heusen shirt line. Phillips-Jones adopted the Phillips-Van Heusen name in 1957. The company broadened its portfolio through product development, licensing and acquisitions. The Bass Weejun was introduced in 1936, G.H. Bass was acquired in 1987, Izod in 1995, Arrow in 2000 and the Calvin Klein company in 2002. PVH later added licensing arrangements for brands including Donald J. Trump and Timberland, while the 2007 acquisition of Superba expanded its neckwear rights across a range of labels. The defining expansion came in 2010, when Phillips-Van Heusen acquired Tommy Hilfiger for approximately $3 billion. In 2011, the corporate name was shortened to PVH. In 2013, PVH acquired Warnaco, consolidating control over Calvin Klein underwear, jeans and sportswear licenses and adding Warner's, Olga and North American Speedo operations. The company subsequently reduced its exposure to several non-core or legacy assets. G.H. Bass was sold to G-III Apparel Group in 2013; the Donald J. Trump licensing relationship ended in 2015; True&Co. was acquired in 2017; and Geoffrey Beene became an owned brand in 2018 after years of licensing. PVH's retail and wholesale model also changed. The company closed its Izod retail division in 2015 while retaining wholesale distribution, launched combined direct online platforms for Izod and Van Heusen in 2018, and announced the closure of remaining Heritage Brands outlet stores in 2020. PVH returned North American Speedo rights to Pentland in 2020 and sold several Heritage Brands to Authentic Brands Group in 2021. Warner's, Olga and True&Co. were sold to Basic Resources in 2023. The company has faced criticism and controversy over a 1951 Van Heusen advertisement cited for reinforcing sexist gender stereotypes, supply-chain pollution allegations raised by Greenpeace in 2011, historical taxation claims, animal-material policies and the Xinjiang cotton dispute. PVH has also publicized sustainability measures, including goals concerning packaging and preferred fibers for certain brands and a supply-chain finance program connected to environmental and social indicators. Its modern strategy centers primarily on Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, supported by global wholesale, retail, digital and licensing channels.
- 2025
China lists PVH as an Unreliable Entity
[1]China places PVH on its Unreliable Entities List during an investigation involving Xinjiang cotton allegations.
- 2021
Heritage Brands sold to Authentic Brands Group
[1]PVH sells Izod, Van Heusen, Arrow and Geoffrey Beene to Authentic Brands Group.
- 2013
Warnaco acquired
[1]The Warnaco acquisition consolidates additional Calvin Klein categories and adds Warner's, Olga and North American Speedo operations.
- 2011
Corporate name changes to PVH
[1]Phillips-Van Heusen adopts PVH as its corporate name.
- 2010
Tommy Hilfiger acquired
[1]PVH acquires Tommy Hilfiger in a transaction valued at approximately $3 billion.
- 2002
Calvin Klein acquired
[1]PVH acquires the Calvin Klein company, adding a major international designer-fashion platform.
- 1987
G.H. Bass acquired
[1]PVH expands into footwear and lifestyle products through the acquisition of G.H. Bass.
- 1957
Phillips-Van Heusen name adopted
[1]Phillips-Jones changes its corporate name to Phillips-Van Heusen.
- 1919
Self-folding collar patent
[1]The company receives a patent for a self-folding collar, commercialized in the early 1920s.
- 1907
Phillips-Jones merger
[1]D. Jones & Sons and M. Phillips & Sons combine under the Phillips-Jones name.
Products and positioning
A global multi-brand apparel group positioned across accessible premium, designer-inspired, lifestyle and wholesale fashion segments.
Designer apparel and lifestyle brand · 2002
Calvin Klein
PVH's Calvin Klein business covers a broad designer-lifestyle portfolio including underwear, denim, jeans, sportswear, fashion apparel, accessories, footwear, fragrances and related licensed products. PVH acquired the Calvin Klein company in 2002 and strengthened its control of important categories through the Warnaco acquisition in 2013. The brand is distributed through wholesale, digital commerce and full-price and outlet retail channels in international markets.
Premium lifestyle apparel brand · 2010
Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger is PVH's other principal global brand. Its assortment includes apparel, denim, accessories, footwear, underwear, fragrances and licensed lifestyle categories built around American-preppy and contemporary lifestyle positioning. PVH acquired the brand in 2010 and has developed it through international wholesale, retail, e-commerce and licensing networks.
Dress shirts and apparel
Van Heusen
Van Heusen originated in the company's historic shirt business and became associated with practical dress shirts, collars, ties and business apparel. PVH withdrew the brand from European trading markets after 2010 and later sold the brand to Authentic Brands Group in 2021. It is therefore no longer a principal owned PVH brand, although products may continue through licensees and wholesale arrangements.
Sportswear and lifestyle apparel · 1995
Izod
Izod is a lifestyle and sportswear label historically operated by PVH across wholesale, outlet and direct online channels. PVH closed its dedicated retail division while maintaining wholesale distribution, then sold the brand to Authentic Brands Group in 2021. The brand has continued through licensing arrangements rather than as a core PVH-owned label.
Dress shirts and apparel · 2000
Arrow
Arrow is a historic shirt and apparel brand that became part of PVH's portfolio through acquisition in 2000. Its products centered on men's shirts and related dresswear, with distribution through wholesale and retail partners. PVH sold the brand to Authentic Brands Group in 2021.
Controversies
2025
China Unreliable Entities List designation
China placed PVH on its Unreliable Entities List amid an investigation into alleged discrimination against Xinjiang cotton. PVH rejected the characterization, stating that it operated in China in compliance with applicable laws and established industry standards.
2018
Tax-rate criticism
CNBC included PVH among Fortune 500 companies reported to have had an effective federal tax rate of zero percent or less in 2018 following the United States Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The reporting generated broader public criticism of corporate tax outcomes.
2011
Greenpeace supply-chain pollution allegations
Greenpeace's Dirty Laundry report alleged that suppliers associated with PVH and other apparel companies contributed to pollution in Chinese river systems and identified hazardous chemical residues in samples from supplier facilities. The allegations concerned supplier practices and environmental oversight rather than a finding that PVH directly discharged the substances.
1951
Van Heusen gender-stereotype advertising
A Van Heusen advertisement depicting a woman serving a man breakfast in bed has subsequently been cited in academic and cultural criticism as an example of sexist advertising and the reinforcement of patriarchal gender roles.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007Izod Center naming-rights partnership
United States
PVH acquired naming rights to the Meadowlands Sports Complex arena in New Jersey, renaming it the Izod Center and supplying uniforms for arena employees. The venue closed permanently in 2015.
Outcome. Brand visibility partnership ended with the venue's closure.
Brand decisions
2022
Environmentally and socially linked supply-chain financeStrategyBackground
PVH sought to connect supplier financing with improvements in environmental and social performance.
Action taken
PVH launched a supply-chain finance program tied to environmental and social factors with HSBC Bank USA.
Aftermath
The initiative became part of PVH's broader responsible-sourcing and sustainability program.
2021
Sale of selected Heritage BrandsM&ABackground
PVH pursued a more focused portfolio centered on Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.
Action taken
PVH sold Izod, Van Heusen, Arrow and Geoffrey Beene to Authentic Brands Group; the transaction closed on August 2, 2021.
Aftermath
United Legwear & Apparel Company received licenses for Van Heusen, Arrow and Geoffrey Beene, while Centric Brands received the Izod license.
2020
Closure of remaining Heritage Brands outletsStrategyBackground
PVH was reducing its exposure to company-operated outlet retail while preserving wholesale and digital distribution for selected Heritage Brands.
Action taken
PVH announced the closure of its remaining Heritage Brands retail outlets, primarily operating under Van Heusen and Izod Golf names.
Aftermath
Wholesale operations and direct online platforms for Izod and Van Heusen were not discontinued at the time of the announcement.
2015
Termination of Donald J. Trump licensing agreementOtherBackground
The agreement became commercially and reputationally contentious after Macy's stopped carrying the Trump Signature Collection following controversial comments by Donald Trump.
Action taken
PVH ended its licensing relationship for the Donald J. Trump Signature Collection.
Aftermath
PVH discontinued its involvement with the collection.
2013
Acquisition of WarnacoM&ABackground
Warnaco held licenses and operating rights for important Calvin Klein categories, including underwear, jeans and sportswear.
Action taken
PVH acquired Warnaco and brought additional Calvin Klein operations under its corporate control.
Aftermath
The deal consolidated the Calvin Klein platform and added Warner's, Olga and North American Speedo activities.
2010
Acquisition of Tommy HilfigerM&ABackground
PVH sought to expand its international branded-apparel platform beyond Calvin Klein and its historic shirt businesses.
Action taken
PVH acquired Tommy Hilfiger for approximately $3 billion.
Aftermath
The acquisition made Tommy Hilfiger one of PVH's two central global brands and materially increased the group's international scale.
Transaction value. Approximately $3 billion (2010)
Recent events
Reported
PVH raises its 2021 outlook[3]
PVH said it was providing an upgraded 2021 outlook. Its projected 2021 revenue was an increase of 26 to 28 percent compared with 2020.
PVH expands Pride partnerships and community programs[4]
PVH announced expanded Pride community engagement, including support for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s HBCU program and a partnership with PFLAG National for associate education and awareness opportunities.
Reported
PVH completes CEO transition to Stefan Larsson[5]
PVH announced that Stefan Larsson had formally become CEO and joined its board, completing a previously announced transition. Manny Chirico continued as board chairman.
Reported
PVH announces temporary store closures in North America and Europe[6]
PVH announced that its company-operated retail stores in North America and Europe would remain closed from March 17 to March 29, 2020, as a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Sources6 sources
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