Aritzia buys Fred Segal as it accelerates US expansion

Aritzia has reportedly acquired Fred Segal from Fred Segal Family LLC, as the Canadian womenswear brand continues on its strong growth path.

In addition to purchasing the Fred Segal brand, intellectual property, and trademarks, Aritzia is also said to have secured the lease for 8100 Melrose Avenue, the original location of Fred Segal’s flagship store in Los Angeles, according to a report from WWD. Financial details concerning the acquisition were not disclosed.

The acquisition is in line with Aritzia’s long-term strategy to continue to expand in the United States, and comes after the Canadian brand acquired a 75 percent stake in CYC Design Corporation, parent company of Reigning Champ, in 2021 before purchasing the remaining 25 percent in May 2023.

“Fred Segal has long been a cultural touchstone in Los Angeles — a place where creativity, community , and style converge,” said Jennifer Wong, chief executive officer of Aritzia, in a statement to WWD. “We are honored to steward and evolve this iconic brand for a new generation with the elevated experience and ‘everyday luxury’ that define Aritzia.”

Aritzia to revive Fred Segal following acquisition as it accelerates US expansion

Aritzia aims to bring the former Melrose Avenue location, including its iconic ivy-covered façade, which was damaged in a recent storm, back to its former glory. The womenswear brand also intends to transform the space into an experiential destination that reflects the creative legacy of both brands.

According to a statement from Aritzia, the redesigned store will combine curated products with immersive experiences, moving beyond traditional retail to function as a lifestyle hub. The broader goal is to revitalize the Fred Segal brand across both product and retail, reestablishing it as a true destination.

“For more than 40 years, Aritzia has built a reputation transforming retail into an immersive world of design, culture and connection — delivering beautiful products, aspirational spaces, highly personalized service and captivating communications,” said Aritzia in a statement to WWD. “With the acquisition, Aritzia will bring that ethos to Fred Segal, honoring the brand’s storied heritage while reimagining its future for a new generation.” 

The late Fred Segal founded his eponymous brand back in 1961, in Los Angeles, California. Originally established as a small, specialized denim store, the brand quickly grew as he pioneered the “shop-in-shop” concept and experiential retail. Credited with helping create the now iconic “California cool” aesthetic, centered on premium denim, sensual silhouettes, and special collaborations with designers, Segal further played a pivotal role in influencing Los Angeles’s fashion and cultural scene for decades. 

In addition to the store being featured in famous 1990s TV shows such as Dawson’s Creek and Beverly Hills 902010, the former flagship store on Melrose Avenue was an LA hub for the rich and famous. In May 2012, Sandow Media acquired the brand’s global licensing rights, excluding the Melrose Avenue retail center, which had sold years earlier, and the Santa Monica retail location, which closed in 2016.

Later that year, Sandow announced plans to expand with new domestic and international flagships, launch an e-commerce site, and introduce private-label collections. In March 2019, Global Icons, a leading brand-licensing agency, acquired Fred Segal, with Evolution Media retaining a minority stake. The Segal family continues to own the trademark, which was licensed to Global Icons. Then, in early 2024, Fred Segal sublicensed a 4,000-square-foot Fred Segal Home showroom at the HD Buttercup Design Center in Culver City, signaling a shift toward licensing as the brand’s retail footprint was shrinking.

However, as the brand struggled to maintain momentum after COVID-19, by July 2024, the brand had shut down its remaining California stores, including locations in Santa Monica, Studio City, Larkspur, Malibu, and its Sunset Boulevard flagship in West Hollywood. Fred Segal’s e-commerce website also went offline that July, effectively ending Fred Segal’s direct retail operations after decades. Fred Segal himself passed away in 2021, at the age of 87. The acquisition comes as Aritzia continues to expand its footprint and customer base across North America.

The brand previously revealed that it aims to operate more than 200 stores in the United States alone, with a potential debut retail location set to open in London, signalling its expansion into Europe. Aritzia first began its US expansion push in 2007, before launching its dedicated e-commerce website in 2012, and going public in 2016. Aritzia expects to open 13 new stores in key locations this year, along with four strategic relocations or expansions, according to executive vice president of real estate Karen Janes, reflecting strong demand and a disciplined real estate strategy.

FashionUnited has contacted Aritzia for more details.