Lee apparel

Lee is an iconic American brand of denim jeans, first produced in 1889 in Salina, Kansas. Originally founded by Henry David Lee as the H.D. Lee Mercantile Company, the brand initially specialized in workwear such as dungarees and jackets. Over more than a century, Lee has evolved into a global lifestyle brand known for its innovation in the denim industry, including the introduction of the first-ever zip-front overalls.

In terms of ownership, Lee was acquired by the VF Corporation in 1969. In 2019, VF Corporation spun off its denim division—including Lee and Wrangler—into an independent, publicly-traded company called Kontoor Brands. Today, Kontoor Brands manages the global operations of the label. While the brand has its roots in the United States, its manufacturing is now global, with production facilities spread across multiple countries in Asia, Central America, and Africa to serve its international markets.