Business Chief takes a look at the top 10 designer fashion brands in the world, including French fashion houses, sportswear giants and iconic watchmakers.
Many of the most recognized brands across all industries belong to the fashion world and naturally, as a result, command immense value.
Each year, Brand Finance examines the world’s 5,000 biggest brands and ranks them across regions and countries to produce its Global 500, which is based on brand value.
The consultancy also produces over 100 reports and ‘Top 25’ lists for each sector, including apparel.
Brand value is defined by Brand Finance as the net economic benefit that an owner will receive by licensing its brand in the open market.
It also looks at brand strength, calculated through a balanced scorecard of metrics evaluating marketing investment, stakeholder equity and business performance.
Here, Business Chief takes a look at the top 10 designer fashion brands in the world.
1. Nike
Brand value: US$31.3 billion
Walk down an average street in almost any corner of the world and it usually only takes a moment for you to see that famous Nike Swoosh.
The US giant recorded revenues of more than US$45 billion last year, more than double that of its nearest rival, indicating its fearsome dominance of the market.
Nike owns all the important bases, setting new trends, producing the hottest new shoes and manufacturing jerseys for the world’s biggest sports teams.
Marketing has played a large role in its success, including the famous ‘Just Do It’ advertising slogan, as well as partnerships with several sports icons. Without Air Jordan, who knows if Nike would have become the global superpower it is today.
2.Louis Vuitton
Brand value: US$26.3bn
Louis Vuitton is the flagship brand of LVMH, which merged with the historic winery Moët & Chandon in 1987.
Over the coming decades, the French conglomerate acquired an astonishing proportion of the world’s most famous luxury brands, including Tiffany and TAG Heuer, becoming Europe’s first US$500 billion firm in the process.
Today, more than 150 years after its formation, Louis Vuitton is still producing the most sought-after luxury products in fashion, from bags and shoes to watches and sunglasses.
Renowned fashion designer Virgil Abloh was working as Artistic Designer of Menswear at Louis Vuitton when he died in 2021.
3. Channel
Brand value: US$19.4bn
Another French industry giant, Chanel is a world leader in the creation, development, manufacturing and distribution of luxury products.
This famous fashion house was founded by Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel at the beginning of the 20th century and maintains its glittering reputation to this day.
The channel has more than 32,000 employees worldwide and continues to invest heavily in its people, R&D and innovation.
According to Brand Finance, the company’s brand value has increased by 27% due to promising sales growth and enduring brand strength, maintaining its iconic status in the post-pandemic world.
4.Gucci
Brand value: US$17.8bn
As well as being the fourth most valuable designer clothing brand, Gucci is ranked as Italy’s most valuable brand by Brand Finance.
Despite this, its value has declined slightly from US$18.1bn in 2022 to US$17.8bn this year.
Like Louis Vuitton and countless others, Gucci is part of a broader fashion conglomerate, Kering, which also owns Baleniaga and Yves Saint Laurent.
More than 100 years after its launch in the glorious city of Florence, Gucci continues to redefine fashion and luxury while celebrating creativity, Italian craftsmanship and innovation.
5. Adidas
Brand value: US$15.7bn
By some distance, Adidas is Europe’s biggest sportswear brand, its revenues of US$24.56 billion putting it ahead of German rival Puma.
Adi and Rudolf Dassler initially joined forces to form the Dassler Brothers shoe factory in 1924, but as tensions increased in their relationship, they formed Adidas and Ruda (later changed to Puma) respectively in the late 1940s. ) Took different paths to create.
To this day, both Adidas and Puma are headquartered in the relatively small Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach, where the Dassler pair grew up and created their companies.
Adidas is currently making millions of dollars by selling its remaining inventory of Kanye West’s Yeezy trainers, after ending its collaboration with the controversial rapper.
6. Hermes
Brand value: US$14.2bn
The oldest fashion house still in existence, Hermès is almost 200 years old, having been founded in 1837.
To this day, the business remains independent and family-owned, and is still driven by the entrepreneurial spirit and delivering on its consistently high standards.
Hermès employs more than 16,600 people and has a strong regional presence, with hundreds of stores around the world carrying its collections.
The Birkin bag, named after British actress Jane Birkin, is certainly the outfit’s most iconic product, along with the Kelly handbag.
7. dior
Brand value: US$13.2bn
Christian Dior is another luxury fashion house that has had a strong 12-month performance, with its brand value increasing by 46%, according to Brand Finance’s metrics.
Established in 1947, Dior’s first collection was labeled the “New Look” and is today credited with revitalizing and revolutionizing the industry in France.
While the company was already under the LVMH banner, Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault purchased all remaining Dior shares in 2017 in a deal worth US$13.1 billion.
In doing so, LVMH assumed ownership of the leather, haute couture, footwear and ready-to-wear segments of the business.
8. Cartier
Brand value: US$12.5bn
Known for its high-end watches and jewellery, Cartier is another fashion house steeped in history.
Founded in 1847 during the so-called ‘Age of Great Inventions’, the company has always been inspired by the advancement of ideas and artistic movements, and continues to push boundaries today.
Cartier has long been associated with royalty, including the British Royal Family, and has supplied jewelery for various high-profile events.
The brand now has a presence in 60 countries with over 200 boutiques.
9. Zara
Brand value: US$11bn
Despite seeing a 15% decline in its brand value, which can largely be attributed to customers turning away from fast-fashion, Zara remains one of the largest fashion businesses in the world.
Founded as Zorba in 1975, the Spanish firm has grown to such an extent that it now has around 3,000 stores in 96 countries.
Zara belongs to the Inditex group and is its largest subsidiary, which also oversees Pull & Bear.
10. Rolex
Brand value: US$10.7bn
In addition to calculating brand value, brand finance also determines the relative strength of brands through a balanced scorecard of metrics evaluating marketing investment, stakeholder equity and business performance.
Topping this category is Rolex, which has over the years become synonymous with luxury and timeless beauty.
The brand value of the infallible Swiss watchmaker also increased by 28% to more than US$10 billion.
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