Nautica Apparel and Fragrances

Nautica was established in 1983 by Taiwanese-American designer David Chu. Originally launched as a men's outerwear collection featuring six signature styles, the brand quickly expanded into a full lifestyle label inspired by the spirit of the sea and sailing. It became a quintessentially American heritage brand, known for its classic sportswear and nautical themes.

Over the decades, the brand's ownership has transitioned through several major corporations. It was acquired by State-O-Maine in 1984, which then changed its name to Nautica Enterprises. In 2003, VF Corporation acquired the brand for approximately $585 million. In a significant shift in 2018, Nautica was sold to Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a global brand development and licensing company.

Today, Nautica operates under a licensing model. While Authentic Brands Group owns the intellectual property, manufacturing is handled by various global partners across countries like Vietnam, China, India, and Bangladesh. The fragrance line is notably licensed and produced by Coty Inc., a multinational beauty company.