LeSportsac
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| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Products |
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| Parent | Itochu |
| Website | lesportsac |
LeSportsac Inc. is an American handbag, luggage, and accessories company. It is currently owned by Itochu Corp.
Company
LeSportsac, Inc. started in 1974,[1] by Melvin and Sandy Schifter as a travel retail company that introduced a collection of fold-in-a-pouch ripstop parachute nylon bags and luggage. Until the sale of the company LeSportsac products were made in the United States. Melvin and Sandy Schifter informally retired from day-to-day operations around 1990 leaving Melvin's son Tim Schifter to run the company.[2] Under Tim's leadership the brand was revitalized and began to collaborate with fresh and innovative designers and brands. In November 2005, Accessory Network Group (“ANG”) purchased LeSportsac Inc.[3]
In March 2011, Itochu Corp purchased the remaining assets owned by ANG. Currently Itochu Corp own the world wide rights to the LeSportsac name and products.
Distribution
LeSportsac’s primary U.S. distribution is through the LeSportsac website. Internationally, LeSportsac sells through exclusive distributors in Asia, South America, Europe, the Mid-Pacific and the Middle East.
LeSportsac is sold in over 20 countries worldwide including Canada, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore.[4]
The shops are located in numerous retail locations including Tokyo’s Harajuku neighborhood and Landmark in Hong Kong.
In 2001, LeSportsac opened its first US Flagship store on Madison Avenue in Manhattan (closed in 2019), followed by its Tokyo flagship in the renowned Omotesando district in November 2001.[citation needed]
Collaborations
LeSportsac has collaborated with the following designers, brands and artists:
Diane Von Furstenberg, Jonathan Adler, J. Mendel, The O.C., Gwen Stefani L.A.M.B., Kat Reeder, Tokidoki, Stella McCartney, Paper (magazine), Seventeen (American magazine), Lilly Pulitzer, JOYRICH, Covergirl, Fafi, BFree, Fifi Lapin, Matsu, Sara Schwartz, Amy Davis, Mika Ninagawa, AVAF, Katharina Leuzinger, Piano Fuzz, Jeremyville, Marisabel, Manoush, Erickson Beamon, Disney "It's a Small World," Rifle Paper Co, Liberty Art Fabrics (Liberty of London), Peanuts, Christie Shinn, Peter Jensen (fashion designer) and Nintendo.
References
- ^ "About LeSportsac | lesportsac.com". www.lesportsac.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
- ^ Louie, Elaine (2001-12-23). "Big-Name Bags Made for Small Purses". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
- ^ "Accessory Network Group LLC Finalizes Deal to Acquire LeSportsac, Inc". prnewswire.com. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ "LeSportsac, Inc.: Private Company Information - Businessweek". Businessweek.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.