Smartwool

The story of VF Corporation is a century-spanning journey of transformation, resilience, and strategic evolution. It all began in October 1899, when John Barbey and a group of investors founded the Reading Glove and Mitten Manufacturing Company in Reading, Pennsylvania. With an initial investment of $11,000, they set up a small factory, laying the groundwork for what would become a global apparel giant. A pivotal moment came in 1913 when the company expanded into silk lingerie. A public contest christened the new line 'Vanity Fair,' a name that resonated so strongly it led to the company rebranding as Vanity Fair Mills in 1919. This shift marked the company's first major pivot, moving from functional gloves to fashionable intimate apparel, and it even earned the prestigious Coty Award for Design in 1950. By 1951, the company went public, setting the stage for ambitious expansion.

The second half of the 20th century defined VF's identity as a masterful brand aggregator. In 1969, with the acquisition of the H.D. Lee Company, the firm officially became VF Corporation, signaling its diversification beyond lingerie. The 1980s were a period of explosive growth, highlighted by the monumental 1986 acquisition of Blue Bell Inc., which brought iconic brands like Wrangler and JanSport into the fold. This single move doubled VF's size, making it the largest publicly-held clothing company in the world. The acquisitions continued, strategically building a portfolio that would soon dominate multiple market segments. The 2000s saw the addition of powerhouse brands like The North Face (2000), Vans (2004), and Timberland (2011), cementing VF's focus on the high-growth outdoor and action sports categories. In 2019, VF made another bold strategic move by spinning off its legacy jeanswear business into Kontoor Brands and relocating its corporate headquarters from North Carolina to Denver, Colorado, to be closer to the heart of the outdoor lifestyle culture that its core brands embody. This long and storied history, from a small mitten maker to a curated portfolio of the world's most iconic lifestyle brands, showcases a remarkable narrative of foresight and adaptation.