Members Only (fashion brand)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Apparel |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | Herb Goldsmith |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Jackets, outerwear, shoes, activewear, hosiery |
| Owner | Ron Malhotra |
Members Only is a U.S.-based apparel label that rose to prominence during the 1980s, particularly recognized for its distinctive jackets. The company was established in 1975 by Herb Goldsmith, an entrepreneur specializing in men's fashion, and was launched in the American market in 1980 through Europe Craft Imports. Members Only jackets featured unique design elements such as slim epaulettes, a collar strap, and knitted edging, offered in a wide range of hues. The brand promoted itself with the slogan "when you put it on, something happens."
During the 2010s, Members Only broadened its seasonal offerings, making products accessible via e-commerce platforms as well as brick-and-mortar retailers like Urban Outfitters.
Revival
In 2016, Sammy Catton, President of iApparel Brands, LLC, acquired licensing rights for the brand. Now under the ownership of Ron Malhotra, Members Only has expanded its merchandise to include women's outerwear, shoes, activewear, and hosiery.
Cultural influence
Todd Kelshaw, a scholar specializing in communication studies, associated the surge in Members Only's popularity in the 1980s with a societal move from community participation toward consumerism expressed through product acquisition. The brand shifted its marketing focus from celebrity endorsements to campaigns promoting social causes such as anti-drug initiatives and voter engagement.
Political commentator Matt Bai referred to former U.S. Senator Gary Hart as "the political version of a Members Only jacket," emphasizing the label's emblematic status during that decade.