There are so many different types of clothing brands and companies out there today leaving the consumer with an endless amounts of options to choose from. Regardless of what you’re personal style and preferences are, or if you do not care at all about clothing and fashion, the fashion industry is typically (when there aren’t economic downturns) a largely successful industry. People simply need clothes and depending if you want to spend $10 dollars for a shirt or $300, there is a brand out there for you. However the leaders in this industry, in terms of brand value and how expensive they are, are typically high-end fashion companies. These companies are well established and their products are sold throughout the world. We are going to take a look at the 5 most expensive clothing brands, in no particular order. All of the companies that we are going to take a look at see billions of dollars in revenue each year.
5. Prada
Prada is a name that is well known in the fashion Industry and they have been around for quite some time. Back in 1913 brothers Mario and Martino Prada decided that they wanted to get involved in the leather and luggage industry. So the two decided to open up a shop in Milan, Italy that would provide customers with great leather goods and luggage. The called the store Fratelli Prada, which means the Prada brothers in Italian, and they sold some leather goods and imported steamer trunks and handbags from England (they were popular at the time). The company quickly grew under its family operation over the years and began to spread out into other areas of fashion like clothing, watches, sunglasses, and various other goods. It was not until around the 1990’s actually that Prada was considered to be a premium brand, however they certainly are an industry leader to this day.
4. Armani
Yet another Italian fashion house makes our list (and certainly not the last): Armani. Armani is a very large and popular company that operates many subsidiaries and was founded by Giorgio Aramni in 1975. Armani is a relatively young company compared to others, however over its nearly 40 years of operation, the brand and company has certainly made a name for itself. The company is best known for their various haute couture (high fashion) products in addition to their ready-to-wear goods, leather goods, jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, cosmetic products, and various other accessories. Under the Armani name they have the labels/brands that include: Giorgio Armani, Armani Exchange, Emporia Armani, Armani Jeans, Armani Junior, and Armani Cosmetics among many others. There stores are located across the globe.
3. Chanel
Chanel first got its start all the way back in 1909 in Paris, France. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel opened up a millinery (fashionable hats and headwear) shop in a apartment building. Her upstairs neighbor and future lover, Étienne Balsan was a prominent Parisian socialite and textile business men. Through him, she met a variety of wealthy individuals who eventually helped finance her shops. After her millinery shop became successful, Coco grew her business into the prominent fashion house that it is today. Currently to company is operated by Alan and Gerard Wertheimer who are the grandsons of Pierre Wertheimer, who was a business partner of Coco. Chanel is well known for its high fashion goods, ready-to-wear goods, luxury goods, and various fashion accessories. They still produce some extravagant headwear as well, keeping with traditions.
2. Dolce and Gabbana
The origin story of Dolce and Gabbana is interesting. Domenico Dolce wanted to go to school to learn about fashion, however he quickly dropped out after he felt that he knew most of the information being taught already. He had dreams all his life to work for Armani and even took over a sketch book to the company with some of his designs in hopes that he would get a job, however he never heard from the company. One night at a club he met Stefano Gabbana and was attracted to his looks and charisma. The collaborated together on some design work, and eventually started dating. From there the formed their company Dolce and Gabbana in 1985 and have taken the company to become a forerunner in the fashion industry. The went on to launch a few women clothing line and some swimsuit and underwear lines. They also own “D & G” which is a more casual and urban line of clothing, as opposed to their other goods.
1. Gucci
Lastly the famous company Gucci is also on our list. The company started when a poor immigrant hotel worker named Guccio Gucci became very interested and impressed by the various luggage and suitcases that he saw in the hotel that he worked at. He quickly became inspired and opened up his first store in 1920 in Florence that specialized in fine leather goods. Almost immediately he was recognized for being a precision craftsman, and having high quality goods. With the help of his three sons, he took his stores to various other cities in Italy, which eventually began to spread all over Europe, and then into the Americas, and now they are all over the world. Today Gucci is one of the most well identified fashion brands and produces a variety of clothing, luggage, shoes, and other goods. They, along with the other brands on this last, are synonymous with the wealth and are a status symbol due to their high cost of goods.
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