Most designers starting a fashion brand involve their entire families in their business. Cue powerful fashion families such as the Versace or the somehow chaotic saga of the Gucci clan.
High fashion is a family business for most designers, but with brands’ renown rising and falling, head designers swapping allegiances and multinational groups throwing big money at some of the most sought-after names, fashion brands tend to take a life of their own, escaping the control of the families who started them.
Modern fashion brands are bigger and more powerful than ever. But which families held on to their legacies? Which fashion brands are still family owned?
Dolce & Gabbana
Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce held on to their brands and are still at the head of luxury Italian label Dolce & Gabbana.
The brand, which was created in the 80s, is still going strong and keeping relevant today. Lately, the designers have been in the spotlight for dressing the entire Kardashian-Jenner clan during Kourtney’s high-profile wedding to Travis Barker in Italy.
Chanel
Chanel is still a family business. Alain Wertheimer and his brother Gerard control the company their grandfather, Pierre Wertheimer founded with Coco Chanel back in 1910.
While the company brings in new designers and has a brand-new CEO, the brothers are still involved in their family legacy, making Chanel one of the most high profile fashion brands still family owned.
Hermès
Another legendary brand still family owned is Hermès. Started in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, the Hermès family mostly held on to their brand throughout its history.
The name behind Hermès, however, is no longer Hermès, but Dumas. Emile-Maurice, the founder’s grandchild, got his sons in law in the business during the 1920s, including Robert Dumas.
The Dumas/Hermès family still owns 75 percent of Hermès, quite an achievement for a fashion brand which has been in business for so long.
Prada
Miuccia Prada still owns Prada, the fashion brand started by her grandfather in 1913.
She inherited the business with her siblings and took a prominent role as co-CEO and lead designer, turning Prada into a globally adored label.
Missoni
The Missonis still control their family brand, even though Angela Missoni stepped down last year as creative director. She remains the brand’s president.
The brand was created by Ottavio Missoni at the end of the 1950s in Italy.
Renowned for its knitwear, Missoni is another well-known fashion brand still family owned.
Salvatore Ferragamo
There are families, and then there are Italian families. Ferragamo is still owned by the Ferragamo family, which includes everyone from children, grandchildren and relatives of its founder, Salvatore.
Ferruccio Ferragamo, the eldest sons of Salvatore is still the company’s president.
Armani
Giorgio Armani still controls and solely owns his label, making him a rare breed in the fashion business.
Created in 1975 in Italy, Giorgio has made his eponymous brand one of fashion’s biggest powerhouses, and he did it all while retaining complete control over it.
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is still owned by the family of its owner, with Ralph still serving as head of the company and son David also involved in the business.
Started in New York in 1967, the brand which went on to define American lifestyle for decades started with Ralph himself making store deliveries around New York.
LVMH
The multinational LVMH is a family business. Bernard Arnault, the head of the family, managed to involve his children in the powerhouse that is LVMH, the largest luxury company in the world.
With 70 brands under their control, the Arnaults, through LVMH, are the biggest and most important family in fashion.
Brands they control include Louis Vuitton, Céline, Berluti, Kenzo, Loewe, Marc Jacobs, Fendi and Dior.
If you’re a big name in fashion, you’ll have dealings with the Arnaults.
Kering
On a smaller scale, the Pinaults, headed by Francois Pinault, are also in the fashion game on a big scale.
Controlled by the family are brands such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga. The Pinaults also signed agreement with fashion brands Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Christopher Kane, and have major stakes in these fashion businesses too.
Sarah Kante
