Do Won Chang
Do Won Chang | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 20, 1954 South Korea |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Co-founder of Forever 21 |
Do Won Chang (Hangul: 장도원; born March 20, 1954) is a Korean-American entrepreneur and the co-founder of the apparel retailer Forever 21, alongside his spouse, Jin Sook Chang.
Early life
Originally from South Korea, Chang relocated to California in 1981 with his wife. He did not pursue higher education and initially held jobs in coffee shops before transitioning into the retail sector.
Career
In 1984, Do Won and Jin Sook launched a modest 900-square-foot shop called Fashion 21 in Highland Park, Los Angeles, using $11,000 from their personal savings. The business rapidly grew and was later renamed Forever 21 (also referred to as XXI), expanding to 600 outlets and employing approximately 30,000 people by 2015. Although the enterprise stayed under family ownership, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2019 due to difficulties in the retail market.
Personal life
The Chang family lives in Beverly Hills, California, and has two daughters. Their Christian beliefs have influenced aspects of their brand identity, such as featuring John 3:16 on their shopping bags. Their daughters, Esther and Linda Chang, established Riley Rose, a cosmetics and accessories line retailed within Forever 21 stores; Linda took charge of marketing efforts while Esther handled visual design responsibilities.
Philanthropy
The Changs have made donations to churches and religious organizations, with Do Won personally participating in missionary activities.