Nautica sells nautical-themed casual clothing and was owned by VF for two decades before Authentic Brands acquired it in 2018. Its J-Class sailing logo is the element most people would recognise. Authentic Brands licenses it out rather than operating it, so the company that designs and sells Nautica clothing is not the company that owns the name.
Authentic Brands acquired Nautica from VF Corporation, which was shedding brands to concentrate on outdoor and workwear. Authentic bought the trademark and licenses it to operators who design and sell the clothing, so the company that owns the name does not make the products.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the parent company of Nautica?
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The parent company of Nautica is Authentic Brands, a privately held company headquartered in the United States.
Is Nautica American?
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Yes. Nautica originated in the United States in 1983 and its owner, Authentic Brands, is also headquartered in the United States.
When did Authentic Brands buy Nautica?
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Authentic Brands completed its acquisition of Nautica on 30 April 2018, after announcing the deal on 30 April 2018. The price was not disclosed.
Is Nautica still owned by Authentic Brands?
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Yes. As of 16 September 2026, Nautica is still owned by Authentic Brands. The ownership record was last checked against primary sources on that date.
Sources (2) & corrections
Last verified . Every ownership fact above is backed by one of these primary documents. Numbers in brackets in the text refer to this list.