J. Mendel
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 1870 |
| Founder | Joseph Mendel |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Fur outerwear, evening gowns, accessories, couture |
| Parent | Stallion Inc. |
J. Mendel is a luxury fashion brand with French-American roots, established in 1870 in St. Petersburg, Russia, initially as a fur workshop by Joseph Mendel. Originally serving as furriers to the house of Romanov, the label was relocated to Paris following the Russian Revolution under the leadership of Joseph’s son, Jacques Mendel. The business maintained its focus on fur outerwear across multiple generations.
In 1981, Gilles Mendel, representing the fifth generation, inaugurated a studio in New York and assumed the role of lead designer. He expanded the brand’s scope beyond fur outerwear to include evening gowns and accessories. Throughout the 1990s, as American consumers’ preferences shifted away from fur, Mendel adapted by creating popular gown designs, which led to the introduction of a more extensive apparel collection.
Fashion lines
The company debuted a ready-to-wear collection in 2002, presenting seasonal lines—including Spring, Bridal, Resort, Pre-Fall, and Fall—at New York Fashion Week. J. Mendel became distinguished for its eveningwear that incorporated fur details.
In 2016, the brand unveiled its inaugural couture collection, emphasizing delicate fur accessories alongside elegant evening attire.
J. Mendel’s eveningwear has been chosen by prominent figures for significant occasions. Taylor Swift has donned J. Mendel at events such as the Time 100 Gala and Met Galas; Melania Trump selected the label for formal First Lady appearances; and actress Bridget Moynahan wore custom J. Mendel designs for her wedding in 2015.
Ownership
The Gores Group acquired a majority interest in J. Mendel in 2010. The Chicago flagship store was shuttered by 2011. In pursuit of additional investment partners, Gores initiated discussions in 2013, culminating in Stallion, Inc. acquiring a controlling stake by 2015. By 2018, J. Mendel encountered several legal disputes concerning unpaid invoices related to office leases, advertising services, and materials procurement. In June of that year, the company sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Subsequently, Dennis Basso and Stallion Inc. took majority ownership. After the bankruptcy proceedings, Gilles Mendel withdrew from daily management but continues to contribute creatively to the brand.