VF Corporation
A global apparel, footwear, and accessories company operating a portfolio of outdoor, active, and work-oriented brands.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
VF Corporation is a United States-based apparel and footwear group whose businesses span outdoor recreation, active lifestyle, casual footwear, streetwear, backpacks, workwear, and related accessories. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Its best-known continuing brands have included The North Face, Vans, Timberland, JanSport, Eastpak, Kipling, Napapijri, Smartwool, Icebreaker, and Altra Running, although VF has repeatedly reshaped the portfolio through acquisitions, divestitures, and corporate separation. The company began in Reading, Pennsylvania, in October 1899, when John Barbey and investors established the Reading Glove and Mitten Manufacturing Company. Its original products were gloves and mittens. The business expanded into silk lingerie in 1913 and used Vanity Fair as the name of that product line. It subsequently became Schuylkill Silk Manufacturing and then Vanity Fair Mills. Vanity Fair Mills went public in 1951, establishing the financial and operating platform from which the modern VF group developed. A major transformation began with the acquisition of the H.D. Lee Company in 1969. The transaction added the Lee apparel business and prompted the adoption of the VF Corporation name. The purchase of Blue Bell in 1986 was another decisive step. Blue Bell brought Wrangler, JanSport, Rustler, Jantzen, and Red Kap into the portfolio, substantially increasing VF's scale and making it one of the largest publicly traded clothing companies in the United States. Through the late twentieth century, VF combined branded apparel, jeans, intimate apparel, work clothing, and accessories under one corporate structure. During the 2000s and 2010s, VF increasingly emphasized brands connected with outdoor and active lifestyles. It acquired The North Face and Eastpak in 2000, followed by Kipling, Napapijri, and Vans in 2004. Timberland and Smartwool were added in 2011, and the Williamson-Dickie portfolio, including Dickies, was acquired in 2017. Icebreaker and Altra Running expanded the company's exposure to merino-wool apparel and technical running products. The group also pursued streetwear and premium contemporary labels, including Supreme, which it acquired in 2020. VF has also sold or separated substantial parts of its historical portfolio. In 2007 it sold its Vanity Fair intimate-apparel business to Fruit of the Loom. In 2019, its jeans and outlet businesses, including Lee and Wrangler, were spun off into Kontoor Brands. This separation left VF more concentrated in outdoor, active, and lifestyle products. In 2021, much of the occupational workwear segment was sold to Redwood Capital Investments and became part of Workwear Outfitters. VF later sold Supreme to EssilorLuxottica in 2024 and agreed to sell Dickies to Bluestar Alliance in 2025, subject to the transaction details reported for that period. VF's brands generally compete through heritage, technical performance, recognizable design, distribution reach, and cultural relevance. The North Face and Timberland are associated with outdoor equipment and lifestyle apparel; Vans with skateboarding-inspired footwear and youth culture; JanSport and Eastpak with backpacks; and Smartwool and Icebreaker with merino-based performance products. The company has organized its remaining portfolio around Outdoor and Active businesses, while its workwear exposure has been reduced through divestiture. Its long-term challenge is balancing global brand investment and direct-to-consumer growth with wholesale discipline, inventory management, changing consumer demand, and portfolio restructuring.
History
VF Corporation traces its origins to Reading, Pennsylvania, where John Barbey and investors founded the Reading Glove and Mitten Manufacturing Company in 1899. The small factory initially produced gloves and mittens. In 1913 the business expanded into silk lingerie, using Vanity Fair as the brand name. The company later adopted the names Schuylkill Silk Manufacturing and Vanity Fair Mills, and became publicly traded in 1951. The acquisition of the H.D. Lee Company in 1969 changed the company's scale and identity. Vanity Fair Mills adopted the VF Corporation name and broadened its apparel portfolio. In 1986 VF bought Blue Bell for approximately $762 million, bringing Wrangler, JanSport, Rustler, Jantzen, and Red Kap into the group. The transaction effectively doubled the company's size and reinforced its position in jeans, casual apparel, backpacks, and work clothing. VF moved its headquarters from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, to Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1998. During the following decade it expanded through a series of brand acquisitions. The North Face and Eastpak joined in 2000, while Kipling, Napapijri, and Vans were acquired in 2004. VF sold its Vanity Fair intimate-apparel operation to Fruit of the Loom in 2007 and continued to acquire brands in activewear, sportswear, and outdoor products. Eric C. Wiseman became chairman and chief executive in 2008. The company strengthened its outdoor position by acquiring Timberland in 2011 and added or developed other performance-oriented brands, including Smartwool. In 2017 VF acquired Williamson-Dickie and its associated brands, including Dickies. Icebreaker joined in 2018, complementing Smartwool's merino-wool positioning. That same period brought a major corporate reorganization: VF announced the separation of its jeans and outlet businesses, which became Kontoor Brands in 2019. VF moved its headquarters and many divisional functions to Denver, Colorado, and concentrated on outdoor, active, and lifestyle categories. VF acquired Supreme in 2020 for a reported $2.1 billion. The group subsequently continued to simplify its portfolio. In 2021 it sold a substantial occupational-workwear package to Redwood Capital Investments; those brands became part of Workwear Outfitters. Eagle Creek was also sold to former VF executive Travis Campbell. Bracken Darrell became chief executive in 2023. VF announced the sale of Supreme to EssilorLuxottica in 2024 and agreed to sell Dickies to Bluestar Alliance in 2025, further narrowing the portfolio toward selected outdoor and active brands. The company has also addressed supply-chain and materials issues, including a 2025 letter of intent calling for an end to mulesing in the Australian wool industry.
- 2024
Supreme divested
[1]VF announced the sale of Supreme to EssilorLuxottica.
- 2023
Bracken Darrell becomes CEO
[1]Former Logitech chief executive Bracken Darrell became VF Corporation's chief executive.
- 2021
Occupational workwear divestiture
[1]Eleven workwear brands were sold to Redwood Capital Investments and combined into Workwear Outfitters.
- 2020
Supreme acquired
[1]VF acquired the Supreme streetwear brand.
- 2019
Kontoor Brands separation
[1]The jeans and outlet businesses became part of independent public company Kontoor Brands.
- 2017
Williamson-Dickie acquisition
[1]VF acquired Dickies and related workwear brands.
- 2011
Timberland acquisition
[1]Timberland joined VF's outdoor and lifestyle group.
- 2004
Vans, Kipling, and Napapijri added
[1]VF expanded its lifestyle, footwear, travel-bag, and European outdoor portfolio.
- 2000
The North Face and Eastpak acquired
[1]The acquisitions accelerated VF's move into outdoor apparel, equipment, and bags.
- 1986
Blue Bell acquisition
[1]VF acquired Blue Bell, adding Wrangler, JanSport, Rustler, Jantzen, and Red Kap.
Products and positioning
A global branded-house portfolio spanning premium outdoor, active-lifestyle, casual footwear, backpacks, and technical apparel, with broad distribution and strong heritage positioning.
Outdoor apparel and equipment
The North Face
The North Face is VF's principal outdoor brand, offering technical jackets, fleece, insulated clothing, footwear, packs, and equipment for mountain, trail, travel, and urban use. Its positioning combines performance technology with a large lifestyle and fashion audience.
Action sports footwear and apparel
Vans
Vans is known for skate-inspired shoes, apparel, and accessories. Its product system is built around recognizable vulcanized footwear silhouettes, action-sports heritage, collaborations, and youth-culture relevance.
Outdoor and lifestyle footwear
Timberland
Timberland sells footwear, clothing, and accessories associated with outdoor durability and workwear heritage. The yellow boot and related boot, sneaker, apparel, and accessories lines have also become prominent lifestyle products.
Backpacks and bags
JanSport
JanSport is a backpack and bag brand acquired through Blue Bell. It is associated with school, campus, travel, and everyday carry products, and formed part of VF's substantial backpack portfolio.
Bags and travel accessories
Eastpak
Eastpak offers backpacks, luggage, shoulder bags, and related accessories. The brand combines utility and durability with urban design and is particularly established in European markets.
Merino performance apparel · 2011
Smartwool
Smartwool develops merino-wool socks, base layers, apparel, and accessories for hiking, skiing, running, and everyday outdoor use. Its value proposition centers on temperature regulation, moisture management, and comfort.
Merino outdoor apparel · 2018
Icebreaker
Icebreaker makes merino-based clothing and accessories for outdoor, travel, and active use. The brand complements Smartwool through its emphasis on natural-fiber performance and layering systems.
Running footwear · 2018
Altra Running
Altra Running is a performance footwear brand serving road running, trail running, and outdoor fitness. Its products are associated with distinctive foot-shaped toe boxes and a zero-drop platform.
Streetwear · 2020
Supreme
Supreme was a globally recognized streetwear brand in VF's portfolio from 2020 until its sale to EssilorLuxottica in 2024. Its offer included apparel, skate products, accessories, and limited collaborations.
Workwear and lifestyle apparel · 2017
Dickies
Dickies supplied durable workwear, uniforms, footwear, and lifestyle clothing. VF acquired it through Williamson-Dickie in 2017 and agreed to sell the brand to Bluestar Alliance in 2025.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025Australian wool mulesing letter of intent
Australia · Global supply chain
VF signed a brand letter of intent calling on the Australian wool industry to end mulesing, linking its material sourcing position with animal-welfare concerns.
Outcome. A stated sourcing and industry-engagement commitment; the reference material does not establish a completed industry-wide change.
Brand decisions
2025
Sell DickiesM&ABackground
VF continued to reduce its workwear exposure and simplify its brand holdings.
Action taken
VF agreed to sell Dickies to Bluestar Alliance for approximately $600 million.
Aftermath
The supplied reference states that the transaction closed on November 12, 2025.
Sale price. 600 million USD (2025)
2024
Sell SupremeM&ABackground
VF pursued portfolio simplification and capital management after owning Supreme for approximately four years.
Action taken
VF agreed to sell Supreme to EssilorLuxottica for approximately $1.5 billion.
Aftermath
Supreme left VF's brand portfolio and joined EssilorLuxottica.
Sale price. 1.5 billion USD (2024)
2021
Divest occupational workwear brandsStrategyBackground
VF reduced exposure to occupational uniforms and related workwear operations.
Action taken
VF sold eleven brands to Redwood Capital Investments, which placed them in Workwear Outfitters.
Aftermath
VF retained a more focused outdoor, active, and lifestyle portfolio.
2020
Acquire SupremeM&ABackground
VF pursued a high-growth streetwear brand with strong cultural recognition and direct-to-consumer potential.
Action taken
VF acquired Supreme for approximately $2.1 billion.
Aftermath
Supreme became VF's streetwear platform before being sold to EssilorLuxottica in 2024.
Acquisition price. 2.1 billion USD (2020)
2018
Separate jeans and outlet operationsStrategyBackground
VF determined that its jeans and outlet businesses had a different strategic profile from its outdoor and active brands.
Action taken
VF announced a separation that created Kontoor Brands.
Aftermath
Kontoor became independently listed in 2019, while VF moved its corporate center to Denver and focused more narrowly on outdoor, active, and lifestyle categories.
2011
Acquire TimberlandM&ABackground
VF continued shifting its portfolio toward outdoor and lifestyle products.
Action taken
VF agreed to acquire Timberland for approximately $2.2 billion.
Aftermath
Timberland became a major component of VF's outdoor business.
Acquisition price. 2.2 billion USD (2011)
1986
Acquire Blue BellM&ABackground
VF sought greater scale in jeans, casual apparel, backpacks, and workwear.
Action taken
VF acquired Blue Bell for approximately $762 million.
Aftermath
Wrangler, JanSport, Rustler, Jantzen, and Red Kap joined the portfolio.
Acquisition price. 762 million USD (1986)
1969
Acquire H.D. Lee CompanyM&ABackground
The transaction gave Vanity Fair Mills a major jeans and apparel business.
Action taken
VF acquired H.D. Lee Company and adopted the VF Corporation name.
Aftermath
The deal established the corporate identity and broadened VF beyond lingerie and gloves.
Recent events
VF appoints Matt Puckett CFO[3]
Reported:
VF announced that Matt Puckett was appointed executive vice president and CFO. He will assume the position after Scott Roe’s departure.
VF Corporation partners with Pattrn on Sustainable Solutions series[4]
Reported:
VF Corporation announced a partnership with Pattrn to launch a digital media series highlighting VF's solutions to address climate change. The series was scheduled to launch on February 9, 2021.
VF Corp. completes acquisition of Supreme[5]
Reported:
VF Corp. announced that it completed its acquisition of Supreme for an aggregate base purchase price of $2.1 billion, subject to customary adjustments. Supreme became a wholly owned subsidiary of VF Corp.
VF Corporation appoints global inclusion and diversity vice president[6]
Reported:
VF Corporation announced the appointment of Lauren Guthrie as vice president responsible for global inclusion and diversity affairs.
VF Corporation’s science-based targets approved[7]
Reported:
VF Corporation reported that its new science-based targets had been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. The targets include emissions reductions by 2030 against a 2017 baseline.
Sources8 sources
- 1VF Corporationen.wikipedia.org
- 2VF Corporation official websitevfc.com
- 3VF 任命 Matt Puckett 为财务长textileworld.com
- 4VF Corporation与Pattrn合作推出“Sustainable Solutions”系列3blmedia.com
- 5VF Corp.完成对Supreme的收购textileworld.com
- 6威富集团任命全球包容性与多元化事务副总裁finance.sina.com.cn
- 7VF Corporation 的科学碳目标获批textileworld.com
- 8VF Corporation Announces New Science-Based Targets to Accelerate Social and Environmental Responsibility Programsfinance.yahoo.com
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