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Thomas Pink

Thomas Pink is a British clothing company that sells men's shirts, as well as other menswear and accessories. It was established in London in 1984 by three Irish brothers. From 1999 to 2021, it was owned by LVMH. The company was acquired in 2024 by Icon Luxury Group and CP Brands Group.[3]

History

The company was founded in 1984 by three Irish brothers – James, Peter and John Mullen. It was named after Thomas Pink, an eighteenth-century tailor in Mayfair, London.

In 1999, it was sold to French conglomerate LVMH, which paid about €48 million for 70% of the company.[4][5] At that time, the company had 20 shops, including 17 in the UK, one in Dublin and two in the United States.[6] LVMH bought the remaining 30% of the company in 2003.

In 2012, Thomas Pink launched legal proceedings in the UK against Victoria's Secret, which was marketing lingerie under the label "Pink". Thomas Pink claimed that Victoria's Secret was infringing on its trademarks, confusing customers and tarnishing its image, pursuant to the Trade Marks Act 1994.[7] Although Victoria's Secret attempted to raise a number of defences, including revocation for non-use, and attacked the validity of the marks for descriptiveness and lack of distinctiveness, High Court of England and Wales judge Colin Birss ruled in Thomas Pink's favour in July 2014.[4] Victoria's Secret, which is owned by L Brands, is making efforts to protect its trademarks in the United States,[8] where the British trademark ruling did not have any effect.[9][10]

In 2018, the company made an operating loss of £23.5 million. In November 2018, it changed its name to Pink Shirtmaker. The company closed its Jermyn Street shop in August 2020; in December of that year, it closed down its other shops, its website and its social media activity. Its dissolution was partially attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

In February 2021, Nick Preston, a former JD Sports executive, made arrangements to acquire the brand and its intellectual property from LVMH, though not its retail storefronts. The brand resumed trading in November of that year.[12][13]

In December 2024, Thomas Pink was acquired by Icon Luxury Group and CP Brands in a joint venture.[14]

See also

External links

References

  1. Privacy & Cookies thomaspink.com, retrieved 19 July 2025^
  2. Company information Companies House, retrieved 17 May 2025^
  3. Jennifer Braun. Thomas Pink acquired by Icon Luxury Group and CP Brands Group Fashion Network, December 11, 2024^
  4. Kyle Stock. In War for the Word 'Pink,' a Menswear Retailer Defeats Victoria's Secret Bloomsberg Businessweek, 1 August 2014, retrieved 13 October 2014^
  5. Nick Webb. Thomas Pink founder makes another fortune -- from wellies Independent.IE, 15 January 2012, retrieved 19 October 2018^
  6. Antoine Banet-Rivet. Luxuries group adds Pink to its growing portfolio The Independent, 25 September 1999, retrieved 19 October 2018^
  7. Elizabeth Paton (8 June 2017). Thomas Pink Appoints John Ray as Creative Director. The New York Times. Accessed July 2017.^
  8. Alanna Petroff. Victoria's Secret loses PINK brand battle CNN, 2014-08-05^
  9. Matt Ellis adweek.com Victoria's Secret Loses U.K. Trademark Infringement Battle London-based retailer wins 'pink' case 4 August 2014^
  10. Kyle Stock. In War for the Word 'Pink,' a Menswear Retailer Defeats Victoria's Secret Bloomberg News, 1 August 2014^
  11. Thomas Pink, the Legendary London Shirtmaker, Has Closed: The one-time status symbol is no more. Robb Report, Martin Lerma, January 2021^
  12. Matthew Field. City shirtmaker Pink ties up new future with sale of brand The Telegraph, 2021-02-28, retrieved 2022-06-09^
  13. Carolyn Wadham. Thomas Pink relaunches following LVMH disposal Drapers, 2021-11-26, retrieved 2022-04-10^
  14. Thomas Pink Acquired by Icon Luxury Group and CP Brands to Expand Global Presence PR Newswire, December 10, 2024^
  15. Isabella Fish. British shirtmaker Thomas Pink's operating losses widened by 20% to £23.5m in the year to 31 December 2018. Drapers, 14 October 2019, retrieved 15 May 2020^
  16. Isabella Fish. Thomas Pink rebrands to Pink Shirtmaker Drapers, 14 October 2019, retrieved 17 April 2019^
  17. Nick Sullivan. An Iconic British Shirtmaker Is Being Reborn—Just in Time for a Style Rebellion: Thomas Pink is no more. Introducing Pink Shirtmaker London. Esquire, 2018-11-15, retrieved 2022-04-10^
  18. Thomas Pink full-year losses reach £23m Sahar Nazir, 15 October 2019^
  19. Thinking of Pink Sunday Business Post, 2 December 2007^