Von Dutch is an American multinational licensing company named after artist Kenny Howard. After Howard's death in 1992, his daughters sold the Von Dutch name to Michael Cassel and Robert Vaughn. The clothing brand gained popularity in the US and attracted the attention of celebrities such as Madonna, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and later Ashton Kutcher.
The French stylist Christian Audigier has popularized again the brand and leave it in 2004. The company was purchased in 2009 by Groupe Royer S.A., through its Luxembourg subsidiary Royer Brands International S.a.r.l. Groupe Royer is the largest shoe distributor in Europe and does distribution for brands such as Converse, New Balance, and Charles Jourdan.
The Von Dutch brand is rapidly growing world-wide and currently has licensees in Brazil, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, China, and Italy. The brand is HQ'd in Los Angeles. The head Chief Executive Officer is Terry Hauss, the Brand Director is Olivier Mercier, and the Brand Assurance Manager is Pardeese Ehya. The company is currently in the process of re-launching a contemporary lifestyle brand in the United States inspired by the artwork and life of Kenny "Von Dutch" Howard. The company is rapidly expanding worldwide and is rooted in the art of Kenneth Howard and his art of pinstriping and Kustom Kulture.
Famous quotes containing the words von and/or dutch:
“Don’t tell me that man doesn’t belong out there. Man belongs wherever he wants to go—and he’ll do plenty well when he gets there.”
—Wernher Von Braun (1912–1977)
“The French courage proceeds from vanity—the German from phlegm—the Turkish from fanaticism & opium—the Spanish from pride—the English from coolness—the Dutch from obstinacy—the Russian from insensibility—but the Italian from anger.”
—George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)