PVH History

George Henry Bass begins his career as a shoemaker by purchasing a share of E.P. Packard and Co., a shoe manufacturer in Wilton, Maine. In 1879, he becomes the sole owner and changes the name to G.H. Bass & Co.

Moses Phillips and his wife Endel begin hand sewing shirts and selling them to local Pottsville, PA coal miners. The small pushcart operation would turn into today's PVH.

A patent is granted for the Van Heusen "soft-folding collar". Two years later, this revolutionary new collar is introduced to the public and thereafter gained great success.

Charles Lindbergh wears Bass Aviation Boots on his historic transatlantic flight from New York to Paris. Three years later, Bobby Jones wears Bass Sportocassins when he wins the only Grand Slam in golfing history.

A Norwegian slip-on moccasin style shoe inspires G.H. Bass & Co. to introduce Weejuns. Bass' interpretation includes a strip of leather with a diamond cut out where wearers inserted pennies, leading to the popular name "penny loafers."

Celebrities including Ronald Reagan, Charlton Heston and Mickey Rooney promoted Van Heusen shirts and place ads on the outfield fences of Ebbets Field and Yankee Stadium.

G.H. Bass & Co. acquires Burgess Shoe Stores, renaming them Bass Factory Outlets and establishing the company in the retail outlet sector.

PVH launches Geoffrey Beene shirts, which becomes and continues to be one of America’s top selling designer dress shirts.

PVH acquires G.H. Bass & Co., one of America’s top selling shoe brands.

Van Heusen becomes the top selling dress shirt brand in United States department stores.