The New York house that turned an 1881 shirtmaking shop into a global home for two of fashion's most recognized names - Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER.
What PVH does, and why almost no one says its name
PVH Corp. is one of the world's largest branded apparel companies, but it is best known for names it does not carry on the storefront. The New York firm designs, sources, markets and distributes clothing, footwear and accessories through two global lifestyle brands - Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER - which together account for more than 90% of its roughly $8.95 billion in annual revenue.
Its reach is deliberately international: more than 70% of sales come from outside the United States, spread across upwards of 40 countries and three channels - wholesale to department stores and multi-brand retailers, its own retail stores, and a growing direct-to-consumer e-commerce business. Licensing across categories such as fragrances and eyewear rounds out the model.
The company that runs it all began in 1881, when the Phillips family mended and sold shirts for coal miners in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Through a 1957 merger it became Phillips-Van Heusen, and in 2011 it renamed itself PVH Corp. to reflect the two acquisitions - Calvin Klein in 2002 and Tommy Hilfiger in 2010 - that redefined it.
Figures are approximate and drawn from public disclosures
Where the revenue comes from - by brand and by geography
Shares are approximate, based on company statements that its two iconic brands drive 90%+ of revenue and that 70%+ of sales are international.
Two flagship brands, a full closet of categories
A global lifestyle brand spanning apparel, underwear, jeans, fragrances, accessories and footwear - known for minimalist design and provocative marketing. PVH bought it for roughly $430 million.
A premium American designer brand of sportswear, denim, tailored apparel, footwear and accessories with a classic, preppy aesthetic. PVH acquired it for about $3 billion.
Dress shirts, sportswear, jeanswear, underwear and intimates, swimwear, footwear, handbags and accessories - sold through wholesale, retail and e-commerce.
Owned stores and e-commerce platforms plus digital wholesale sit at the center of the DTC-led growth strategy of the PVH+ Plan.
How PVH differs from rivals - and what the PVH+ Plan is
For most of its modern history, PVH grew by buying. It absorbed Izod, Arrow, Warnaco and, most consequentially, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. When Stefan Larsson became CEO in 2021 - after leading turnarounds at Old Navy and Ralph Lauren - he changed the reflex. Rather than chasing new labels, PVH poured resources into the two it already owned.
That is the core of the PVH+ Plan: a multi-year roadmap to build Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER into, in the company's words, "the most desirable lifestyle brands in the world," through brand-, digital- and direct-to-consumer-led growth. To fund the focus, PVH shed its heritage brands - selling the Van Heusen, Izod, Arrow and Geoffrey Beene trademarks to Authentic Brands Group in 2021, and its Warner's, Olga and True&Co. innerwear businesses to Basic Resources for about $160 million in 2023.
The bet distinguishes PVH from diversified peers such as VF Corporation and luxury conglomerates like Kering and LVMH: fewer brands, deeper investment, and a global-first revenue mix. The risk is the mirror image of the strategy - with 90%+ of revenue tied to two names, the health of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger is the health of PVH.
"We delivered a strong fourth quarter and finish to the year, driven by the strength of our two iconic global brands, Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER, and the continued disciplined execution of our PVH+ Plan."
From coal-mine shirts to a global fashion group
The Phillips family begins mending and selling shirts for coal miners in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
A self-folding collar is patented, and the collar-attached dress shirt reaches the public in 1929.
Phillips-Jones Corp. merges with Van Heusen to create the Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation.
PVH buys the Calvin Klein company for roughly $430 million.
PVH adds a second iconic global brand for about $3 billion.
Phillips-Van Heusen changes its name to reflect its transformation around its two flagships.
Larsson launches the brand-building PVH+ Plan and begins divesting heritage brands.
PVH agrees to sell Warner's, Olga and True&Co. to Basic Resources for about $160 million.
PVH names Alexis Rollier CFO and rolls out high-profile Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger campaigns.
PVH's core brands are Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER, which together generate more than 90% of its revenue. It has divested most former heritage brands such as Van Heusen, Izod, Arrow and Warner's.
PVH is headquartered in New York City, at 285 Madison Avenue.
Stefan Larsson has been CEO since February 2021; he joined PVH as President in 2019 after leading Ralph Lauren and Old Navy.
PVH generates roughly $8.95 billion in annual revenue, operates in more than 40 countries and employs tens of thousands of associates globally. It trades on the NYSE under the ticker PVH and is part of the S&P 500.
The PVH+ Plan is the company's multi-year strategy to build Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER into the most desirable lifestyle brands in the world through brand-, digital- and direct-to-consumer-led growth.