Nine West
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion retail |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Fate | Filed for bankruptcy and closed physical stores in 2018; brand acquired by Authentic Brands Group |
| Headquarters | White Plains, New York , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (57 countries) |
Key people | Fred Allard (Creative Director from 2006) |
| Products | Footwear, handbags, sunglasses, legwear, outerwear, jewelry, belts, watches, cold-weather accessories, hats, scarves, wraps, eyewear, dresses, suits, children's shoes |
| Owner | Authentic Brands Group |
| Website | www |
Nine West, also referred to as 9 West, is a U.S.-based online fashion retailer headquartered in White Plains, New York. Established in 1983, the company ceased operations of its physical retail locations in 2018; however, its merchandise remains available through various other retail outlets.
History
The brand derives its name from its original address at the Solow Building located at 9 West 57th Street in New York City. Nine West inaugurated its first dedicated store in Stamford, Connecticut in 1983. It initiated a nationwide advertising campaign three years later, in 1986, and extended its global presence by opening a store in Hong Kong in 1994. Presently, the brand is featured in more than 800 stores spanning 57 countries.
Initially focused on footwear, Nine West broadened its product range to include handbags, sunglasses, legwear, outerwear, jewelry, belts, watches, cold-weather accessories, hats, scarves, wraps, and eyewear. After launching handbags in 1995, the company further diversified into dresses, suits, and children's shoes. Licensing deals facilitated additional expansion of its product offerings. In March 1995, Nine West acquired the footwear segment of the United States Shoe Corporation, which encompassed the Easy Spirit label. The following year saw the purchase of London-based Pied a Terre for $5 million. Subsequent acquisitions included UK shoe brands formerly owned by Sears plc, such as Cable & Co.
In 1999, Nine West became part of Jones Apparel Group. By 2006, the brand engaged in collaborations with designers like Vivienne Westwood and Sophia Kokosalaki for exclusive collections and teamed up with New Balance in 2009 to create a footwear line. Fred Allard held the position of Creative Director beginning in 2006.
On July 7, 2015, the Canadian distributor and retailer managing Nine West declared bankruptcy protection. In April 2018, Nine West’s North American division filed for bankruptcy and subsequently shuttered all retail stores. Following this, the brand was purchased out of bankruptcy by Authentic Brands Group.
In popular culture
In Gwyn Cready's humorous romance novel Tumbling Through Time, the character Seph Pyle is transported back to the year 1705 after trying on sandals at a Nine West outlet located within Pittsburgh airport.
External links
- Official website
- Articles with short description
- Shoe companies of the United States
- Eyewear brands of the United States
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018
- Clothing companies established in 1983
- Clothing companies disestablished in 2018
- Retail companies established in 1983
- Retail companies disestablished in 2018
- 1983 establishments in New York City
- 2018 disestablishments in New York (state)
- Companies based in White Plains, New York
- Online retailers of the United States
- Authentic Brands Group
- 2018 mergers and acquisitions