Joseph Nakash

Joe Nakash
Born	1942 Tel Aviv, Israel
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, real estate investor
Known for	Co-founder of Jordache

Joseph "Joe" Nakash (; born 1942) is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, real estate investor, and co-founder of Jordache. As of 2020, Forbes valued his family's net worth at approximately $1.93 billion.

Early life

Nakash entered the world in Tel Aviv, Israel, to parents of Syrian Mizrahi Jewish heritage. He relocated to New York City in 1962, where he initially worked as a stock clerk. Through diligent saving, he was able to bring his brothers Raphael (Ralph) and Abraham (Avi) to the U.S. in 1966.

Career

In 1974, Nakash and his brothers combined $20,000 in capital to acquire an appliance store named V.I.M., launching a retail outlet in Bushwick, Brooklyn. They capitalized on the rising popularity of designer jeans by marketing irregular denim products. By 1978, their enterprise had expanded to four stores. When their largest location was destroyed during the 1977 blackout, they reinvested a $120,000 insurance payout into creating their own premium Jordache jeans line.

They enlisted advertising professional Howard Goldstein, who collaborated with composer Leigh Crizoe to produce the memorable jingle "You've Got The Look I Want To Know Better, The Jordache Look." Backed by $550,000 from the Nakash brothers and Israel's Bank Leumi, this marketing effort significantly boosted Jordache’s appeal across a broad audience. Brooke Shields eventually became the brand's exclusive model. This campaign played a key role in sparking the designer jeans craze of the 1980s.

By 1979, Jordache achieved $72 million in revenue. The company began licensing operations in 1981, generating an additional $100 million on top of their $200 million wholesale income and diversifying into children's apparel, cosmetics, handbags, and luggage. Their total revenues reached $400 million by 1983, the same year they established Yama Maritime Inc., which managed a fleet of eight cargo vessels.

In 1983, the Nakash brothers purchased a 50% interest in Guess Jeans from the Marciano Brothers. This partnership ended acrimoniously; a 1989 court ruling determined that the Nakashes had engaged in fraudulent inducement of the Marcianos. The dispute concluded in 1990 with a settlement awarding the Nakashes $66 million from escrowed profits and ownership of the "Gasoline" brand, while the Marcianos retained rights to "Diesel."

Confronted with intensified competition during the 1990s, Jordache pursued a strategy shift in 1995 by entering the mass market through Wal-Mart as upscale retailers dropped their products. This approach generated $100 million in sales during its first year at Wal-Mart—accounting for 30% of Jordache’s total sales. Subsequently, they expanded into contract manufacturing for prominent brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, American Eagle, and Abercrombie & Fitch.

Earnings from apparel ventures financed diversification into banking and real estate investments spanning New York, Miami, New Jersey, and Israel. Nakash also acquired Arkia Airlines and successfully restored its profitability. In 2004, they bought AMPA Real Estate in Israel and broadened their portfolio to include hotel ownership and residential developments. Notable properties include Tel Aviv’s Park Plaza Orchid Hotel and Kineret Orchid Vacation Resort on the Sea of Galilee.

Beginning in 2006, the brothers invested approximately $5.5 million into Israeli agricultural ventures—such as olive groves and olive oil production under the Halutza label in partnership with kibbutz Revivim—as well as vineyards. In 2013, through Nakash Holdings, they acquired a $100 million office tower in Washington D.C., purchased Miami Beach’s Versace Mansion alongside Eli Gindi (adding to their collection of five other hotels), secured a 15-year exclusive concession for operating Israel’s Port of Eilat at $105 million via Papo Shipping Company, and bought Tel Aviv’s Isrotel Tower for $150 million.

Personal life

Nakash practices Judaism and is recognized as the head of the Nakash family.