Ruehl No.925
| File:ModernRUEHLadvertisinglogo.png | |
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | September 2004 |
| Defunct | Template:End date and age |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Number of locations | 29[1] |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Mike Jeffries (CEO) |
| Revenue | $50.2 million USD (2007) |
| Owner | Abercrombie & Fitch |
Ruehl No.925 was a premium fashion label under the ownership of Abercrombie & Fitch, offering apparel, leather products, and luxury items. Inspired by the ambiance of Greenwich Village, New York City, this brand targeted young adults aged 22 to 35 who had recently graduated, positioning itself against competitors such as J.Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren, and the also short-lived Martin + Osa from American Eagle Outfitters. Notably, Ruehl was unique among Abercrombie's brands for featuring black-colored garments.[2]
The inaugural Ruehl No.925 outlets launched on September 24, 2004, at three locations: Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey; Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois; and International Plaza and Bay Street in Tampa, Florida.[3]
Similar to how Abercrombie & Fitch uses a moose emblem and Hollister Co. employs a seagull, Ruehl incorporated a French bulldog named "Trubble" as its embroidered trademark on clothing and accessories.
On June 17, 2009, Abercrombie & Fitch declared its decision to discontinue the Ruehl brand.[1]
Origin
Following the commercial triumph of Hollister in 2000, CEO Mike Jeffries initiated the development of three new retail concepts. The first to be introduced was Ruehl in September 2004, aimed at consumers in their twenties and thirties.[4] The company stated that the brand’s name derived from the Ruehl family, who immigrated from Germany in the mid-1800s and established a leather goods store at 925 Greenwich Street in Manhattan. However, investigations revealed no such family exists and the address is fictitious.[5]
The initial store debuted at International Plaza and Bay Street mall in Tampa, Florida, followed by openings at Woodfield Mall near Chicago and Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey. These locations served as pilot markets before broader rollout. While Ruehl’s apparel bore resemblance to Abercrombie & Fitch’s style, its pricing was approximately 22% higher.[4]
Stores
The design of Ruehl's retail locations was inspired by a Manhattan townhouse, featuring a brick exterior, wrought-iron fencing, and decorative potted topiary. Inside, the store was divided into various rooms such as bedrooms, living areas, and conservatories to evoke a residential atmosphere. The "living room" was adorned with bookshelves, chandeliers illuminated the "bedrooms," portraits were casually placed on the floor leaning against walls, and a central corridor bisected the space.
Locations
When the brand ceased operations, Ruehl maintained 29 comprehensive store locations across the United States:
- Westfield Topanga – Canoga Park, California
- Americana at Brand – Glendale, California
- Westfield San Francisco Centre – San Francisco, California
- Fashion Valley Mall – San Diego, California
- The Oaks – Thousand Oaks, California
- Fashion Show Mall – Las Vegas, Nevada
- Aventura Mall – Aventura, Florida
- International Plaza and Bay Street – Tampa, Florida
- Westfield Annapolis – Annapolis, Maryland
- Oakbrook Center – Oak Brook, Illinois
- Woodfield Mall – Schaumburg, Illinois
- Burlington Mall – Burlington, Massachusetts
- Natick Mall – Natick, Massachusetts
- Ala Moana Center – Honolulu, Hawaii
- Twelve Oaks Mall – Novi, Michigan
- Mall of America – Bloomington, Minnesota
- Westfield Garden State Plaza – Paramus, New Jersey
- Freehold Raceway Mall – Freehold Township, New Jersey
- Walden Galleria – Buffalo, New York
- Smith Haven Mall – Lake Grove, New York
- Roosevelt Field – Garden City, New York
- Easton Town Center – Columbus, Ohio
- The Domain – Austin, Texas
- Galleria Dallas – Dallas, Texas
- The Shops at La Cantera – San Antonio, Texas
- Washington Square – Tigard, Oregon
- Tysons Corner Center – McLean, Virginia
In addition to these mall-based stores, Ruehl operated a standalone accessories boutique occupying approximately 600 square feet at 370 Bleecker Street in New York City.
Levi Strauss lawsuit
In July 2007, Abercrombie & Fitch faced legal action from Levi Strauss & Co., which accused the company of trademark infringement. The dispute centered on Ruehl jeans and other items allegedly replicating Levi's distinctive pocket design featuring connected arches. Levi Strauss also pursued similar litigation against Polo Ralph Lauren.
References
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- Fashion of the 2000s
- Brands under Abercrombie & Fitch
- American clothing brands
- Brands no longer active
- Greenwich Village area
- Clothing firms founded in 2004
- Retailers founded in 2004
- Retailers closed in 2010
- West Village neighborhood
- Establishments in Ohio, 2004
- Closures in Ohio, 2010
- Defunct U.S. clothing retailers
- Defunct clothing retailers of the United States