Kathy Ireland - Kathy Ireland Worldwide

Kathy Ireland Worldwide

In 1993, Ireland put her name on a line of socks for Kmart which became a bestseller. The retailer subsequently gave Ireland her own clothing line. She then founded kathy ireland Worldwide, initially a brand product marketing firm in which she and her related trusts own in its entirety. Since 1994, Kathy Ireland has published several fitness videos that led to her design of athletic apparel and was an entree into her brand licensing of fitness equipment as well.

In 2004, Ireland's annual take was thought to be around $10 million, which prompted Forbes to name her the "prototype for model-turned-mogul," in an article about the trend of modelpreneurs. By 2004, kathy ireland Worldwide was marketing products from 16 manufacturers, including those of Shaw Industries and Pacific Coast Lighting. By 2005, kathy ireland Worldwide products were sold at over 50,000 locations in 15 countries, generating an estimated $1.4 billion in retail sales. According to a February 27, 2012 issue of Forbes magazine, featuring Kathy Ireland on the cover, her product line (furniture, lighting, flooring, windows, jewelry, bridal gowns, etc.) now sells some $2 billion annually at retail. License Global Magazine named kathy ireland Worldwide the 28th most powerfully licensed brand. According to Fairchild Publications, Kathy Ireland is one of the 50 most influential people in fashion.

Ireland's corporate position promotes the importance of protecting American jobs and supporting local communities.

Ireland developed a collection of kathy ireland American Legend garments and accessories exclusively for the Fur Vault at Macys; a collection that is retailed at all of the Fur Vault locations in Macy's across the nation.

In a May 2012 British Vogue article, Ireland was called the world's richest model over Anne V and Gisele Bündchen.