Top 10 Richest Fashion Brands of All Time: Levi, Dior, H&M or Louis Vuitton in 2024?

We usually identify with a specific fashion trend that defines our time. Tight jeans, baggy pants, leather jackets, spandex, these are some of the memorable trends that had dressed up generations of stylish people, who would years later laugh at their old photos.

Thanks to you and millions of label-loving people, fashion is big business. According to Statista, the U.S. apparel market is the biggest in the world, accounting for 28% of the global trade, or $331 billion.

We list down the top fashion labels that have made billions out of putting style in our clothing.  They’re the ones that set the trends, which are not born out of our collective creative burst to dress our time.

Trends are calculated tactics of the fashion industry, which is not just the labels, but an entire stretch of suppliers, distributors, retailers, designers and merchandisers that make the industry one of the top tax revenue earner for the government. These fashion labels also know how to toy with our subconscious; they understand the value of logos to influence buyers as we’ve shown in one of our infographics.

Today, the sports look from the eighties is back (Olivia Newton-John, anyone?), tweaked and revamped by top brands like Gucci, Emilio Pucci and Tom Ford and served hot to millennials. But sneakers are out; today’s sporty threads match with heels or leather shoes, a reflection of our times when healthy lifestyle is meshed with casual elegance.

Here are the top ten fashion labels that you probably have helped get really rich:

10. Levi Strauss: worth $4.67 billion

Rounding up our list is the inventor of jeans. Levi’s is still going strong despite challenges from upstart fashion labels. Levi’s company registers annual revenues of around $5 billion, propped up mainly by the popularity of its ‘shrink-to-fit’ 501s. It’s been the favorite of mods, rockers, hippies, skinheads, X-Y generations, and now, the millennials.

9. Coach: worth $4.76 billion

It’s popular among fashionistas and people who love showing off their wealth through luxury items like Coach, which was founded in 1941. It’s the favorite of celebrities like Christina Hendricks and Elisabeth Moss for its durable and elegant handbags and wallets, among others.

8. Phillips-Van Heusen: worth $6.04 billion

If the name is not familiar, try these: Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and, of course, Van Heusen. The company owns the three popular brands after buying off Calvin Klein in 2002 and Tommy Hilfiger in 2010. The company introduced the world’s first self-folding collar in 1919 and, today, it’s known for high-profile campaigns like David Beckham’s endorsements. The company also supplies neckties for DKNY and Ted Baker.

7. Estée Lauder: worth $9.71 billion

The company is one of the first fashion labels to offer a wide selection of items, from clothing to perfumes, makeup and skincare. Behind the label are 40,000 employees that keep churning out millions of products to give Estée Lauder a whopping $10 billion gross sales in 2013 alone. The signature also owns luxury cosmetics, such as, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, M.A.C., and Jo Malone.

6. Richemont: worth $11.83 billion

Relatively young, Richemont was founded in the eighties selling luxury watches, jewelry, clothing, and leather goods. The Swiss company owns through acquisitions some of the world’s most luxurious fashion brands, such as, Baume & Mercier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC, Piaget, and Montblanc. Likewise, it is behind the Cartier brand, dubbed the “jewelers of kings and king of jewelries” by the king of England, and the French Chloé.

5. Christian Dior: worth $11.91 billion

It’s one of the top runway brands that produces a wide selection of both haute couture and off-the-rack clothing. Christian Dior is popular for its stylish perfumes and cosmetics, although it also sells luxury watches and jewelries.  The French fashion house first gained fame for its shapes and silhouettes, creating voluptuous styles as opposed to the boxy shapes in post-war Europe. Today, the femme fatale-inspired House of Dior also caters to men through its Dior Homme division and children via Baby Dior.

4. The Gap: worth $15.65 billion

One of the iconic fashion brands, The Gap attempted to rebrand its logo in 2010 only to be cowed by loyal customers to bring the old blue box back. The signature, popular among the younger set, was originally an exclusive retailer for Levi’s until the shop started to sell its own upscale jeans at the expense of Levi’s, seen by many as a “mature” denim brand worn by someone else’s father. Fashion is the function of youth, which makes The Gap richer than Levi’s. The company also owns Banana Republic and Old Navy brands.

3. Kering: worth $15.65 billion

The signature sells luxury goods and sporting goods, including majority shares in Gucci, Saint Laurent and Sergio Rossi brands for fashion, and Puma, Cobra Golf, and Volcom for sports. Interestingly, its French founder, Francois Pinault, started the company as far removed from anything fashionable as possible, dabbling in wood trading and electrical materials.

2. H&M: worth $18.82 billion

The Swedish retail fashion label is a high-street favorite sold in 53 countries that made billions selling “disposable fashion,” that is, it continuously updates its designs to project a trend-setter look. If you haven’t known yet, the ‘H’ stands for Hennes, Swedish “for her” and the ‘M’ means Mauritz, the name of the brand’s first retailer. H&M appeals to both haute-couture and off-the-rack markets so well that it made it to our number two place of the richest fashion labels ever.

1. LVMH: worth $37.14 billion

How do sustainability and ethical practices impact modern fashion brands?

As consumer awareness about environmental and ethical issues grows, sustainability has become a key focus for many fashion brands. The fashion industry, traditionally known for its fast-paced production cycles, is now facing increased pressure to adopt more eco-friendly and ethical practices. Key trends include:

• Sustainable Materials: Many fashion labels are shifting towards using organic, recycled, and sustainable materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled polyester to reduce environmental impact.
• Ethical Manufacturing: Brands are increasingly transparent about their supply chains, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing exploitation in garment factories.
• Eco-Friendly Initiatives: Some companies are introducing programs to recycle old clothing, reduce water usage, and lower their carbon footprint by using renewable energy in their production processes.
• Consumer Demand for Accountability: Modern consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z, are driving demand for sustainable and ethical fashion, influencing brands to adopt practices that minimize harm to the planet and support social causes.

Fashion brands that incorporate sustainability and ethical practices are positioning themselves as leaders in responsible fashion, gaining loyalty from environmentally-conscious consumers.

It’s not by chance that the Louis Vuitton logo is set in gold, a color associated with luxury and wealth. The richest fashion label leaves its competitors in the dust, its value nearly twice that of its nearest contender. Louis Vuitton, in fact, is one of Forbes’ ten most valuable brands in the world last year, selling clothing, jewelry, luggage and perfume. But Christian Dior is not complaining; it’s the main holding company for LVMH with 40.9% of shares.

Key Insights

• Global Influence of U.S. Apparel Market: The U.S. apparel market is the largest in the world, contributing 28% to the global trade, amounting to $331 billion.
• Top Fashion Labels: The leading fashion labels have successfully established themselves as trendsetters, influencing global fashion trends and generating significant revenue.
• Calculated Fashion Trends: Fashion trends are strategically designed by the industry to influence consumer behavior and drive sales, not just born out of individual creativity.
• Revival of Past Trends: Modern fashion often revamps past trends, such as the sporty look from the eighties, blending them with contemporary elements to appeal to current generations.
• Economic Impact: The fashion industry is a major tax revenue generator, involving a vast network of suppliers, distributors, retailers, designers, and merchandisers.
• Luxury and Accessibility: Brands like H&M have bridged the gap between haute couture and off-the-rack markets, offering trendy, affordable fashion to a wide audience.
• High Revenue Brands: Brands like LVMH, H&M, and Kering lead the industry with substantial revenues, thanks to their diversified portfolios and strategic market positioning.
• Brand Endorsements: Celebrity endorsements and high-profile campaigns play a significant role in maintaining and boosting the popularity of top fashion labels.

FAQ

1. What makes the U.S. apparel market the largest in the world? The U.S. apparel market’s size and influence stem from its significant consumer base and advanced retail infrastructure, contributing 28% to global trade and totaling $331 billion.
2. How do fashion trends influence consumer behavior? Fashion trends are strategically designed by the industry to influence consumer behavior. Brands utilize trends to create demand for new styles, driving sales and maintaining their market position.
3. Which brands are leading the fashion industry in terms of revenue? Leading brands like LVMH, H&M, and Kering are at the forefront of the fashion industry, generating substantial revenues through their diverse portfolios and strategic market approaches.
4. How do modern fashion trends incorporate elements from past decades? Modern fashion trends often revive past styles, such as the sporty look from the eighties, by blending them with contemporary elements to appeal to current generations and create a sense of nostalgia.
5. What role do celebrity endorsements play in the fashion industry? Celebrity endorsements and high-profile campaigns are crucial for maintaining and boosting the popularity of fashion labels. They help brands reach wider audiences and enhance their market presence.
6. How does the fashion industry contribute to the economy? The fashion industry is a major tax revenue generator, involving a vast network of suppliers, distributors, retailers, designers, and merchandisers, making it a significant economic contributor.
7. What are some of the most iconic fashion brands mentioned in the article? Some of the iconic fashion brands mentioned include Levi Strauss, Coach, Phillips-Van Heusen (Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein), Estée Lauder, Richemont, Christian Dior, The Gap, Kering (Gucci, Saint Laurent), H&M, and LVMH (Louis Vuitton).
8. Why is H&M popular among fashion consumers? H&M is popular for its ability to offer trendy, affordable fashion. It continuously updates its designs to project a trendsetter look, appealing to both haute couture and off-the-rack markets.
9. What sets LVMH apart from other fashion brands? LVMH stands out due to its luxury image, extensive portfolio of high-end products, and strategic market positioning, making it the richest fashion label with a value of $37.14 billion.
10. How do fashion labels use logos to influence buyers? Fashion labels use logos as a powerful marketing tool to create brand recognition and influence consumer preferences. Logos symbolize status and quality, attracting consumers to their products.

By Jenny Chang

Jenny Chang is a senior writer specializing in SaaS and B2B software solutions. Her decision to focus on these two industries was spurred by their explosive growth in the last decade, much of it she attributes to the emergence of disruptive technologies and the quick adoption by businesses that were quick to recognize their values to their organizations. She has covered all the major developments in SaaS and B2B software solutions, from the introduction of massive ERPs to small business platforms to help startups on their way to success.