Free People
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Richard Hayne |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Margaret Hayne (CEO) |
| Products | Apparel, footwear, accessories, intimates, swimwear, beauty and wellness products |
| Parent | Urban Outfitters, Inc. |
Free People is a U.S.-based retailer specializing in bohemian-inspired apparel and lifestyle products for women, including clothing, footwear, accessories, intimates, and swimwear. The brand also features a beauty and wellness segment offering items such as cosmetics, skincare, oral care products, supplements, crystals, and literature. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Free People operates as a subsidiary of Urban Outfitters, Inc., alongside sister brands like Anthropologie, BHLDN, Terrain, and the Vetri family restaurant group.
Currently, Free People’s merchandise is available in approximately 1,400 specialty retail outlets worldwide. Its distribution network extends globally through direct-to-consumer platforms such as the Free People Global website and the Free People UK site. Additionally, the brand's products are sold via specialty boutiques, department stores, and standalone retail stores across the United States and Canada.
History
During the early 1970s, Richard Hayne launched a retail store named Free People in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, alongside his first wife, Judy Wicks. This store quickly gained popularity among local youth shoppers. As demand increased, a second location was opened and the store was rebranded as Urban Outfitters. Urban Outfitters experienced rapid expansion thereafter. Dick Hayne’s then-wife Meg managed the growth of Urban Outfitters’ private label division, which focused on exclusive product lines for the brand. This initiative proved highly successful; by 1984, the wholesale line under the "Free People" name was reintroduced.
The inaugural Free People Boutique debuted in Paramus, New Jersey during the fall of 2002. Since that time, numerous boutiques have been established throughout the United States and Canada. The company also developed a mobile application enabling customers to shop online and share images showcasing their Free People outfits and accessories.
In 2006, Free People collaborated with Ed Mullen Studio to develop its e-commerce strategy.
By 2021, Free People’s products were stocked in over 1,400 specialty retailers internationally. Certain department stores like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's have incorporated dedicated in-store concept shops featuring Free People merchandise.
Margaret Hayne holds dual roles as URBN’s chief creative officer and CEO of Free People.
In the first half of 2013 alone, Free People reported sales exceeding $180 million—a significant rise from $135 million in 2012—attributed in part to leveraging big data analytics and social commerce techniques to drive revenue growth.
Boutiques and showrooms
Free People operates 136 standalone boutiques throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to these, the company manages a pop-up showroom in the United Kingdom, marking its sole retail presence outside North America. This showroom hosts monthly events. Furthermore, Free People distributes its apparel to independent boutiques across Canada. The brand’s flagship store is situated in Rockefeller Center, New York City. Although it is the largest Free People retail location, its design and atmosphere remain consistent with other physical stores, reflecting the brand’s distinctive aesthetic across all outlets.
Controversies
In May 2015, Free People faced backlash from professional ballet dancers who expressed disapproval online due to the use of an untrained dancer in one of the company’s advertisements.
The following year, in April 2016, the brand encountered criticism over marketing for a clothing collection targeting attendees of music festivals such as Coachella. The campaign featured a Caucasian model wearing clothing inspired by Native American designs, which sparked accusations of cultural appropriation on social media platforms.
Sponsored Athletes
As of February 2025, Free People recognizes the following individuals as official brand ambassadors:
Dance
Martial Arts
Soccer
Tennis
Track & Field
- Nonah Waldron
Former athletes sponsored by the brand include: Quanesha Burks, Jessie Knight, Annie Kunz, and Emily Arthur.