Wikiwand - Wet Seal (2024)

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Defunct American corporation / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Wet Seal was an American fast fashion retailer, headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The retailer specialized in selling clothing and accessories. The company was founded in Newport Beach, California, by Lorne Huycke in 1962 as "Lorne's". The "Wet Seal" name is derived from a comment Huycke's wife made during a fashion show that a model wearing a bathing suit looked like a "wet seal."[1][2] The company was incorporated as Wet Seal in 1990.[3]

Quick facts: Formerly, Type, Industry, Founded, Defunct...
Wet Seal, Inc.
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Former Wet Seal headquarters in Foothill Ranch, California

FormerlyLorne's (1962–1990)
TypePrivate
IndustryRetail
Founded1962; 61years ago
DefunctJanuary27, 2017; 6 years ago
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California

Number of locations

540 at peak

Key people

CEO: Ramez Toubassy
ProductsApparel, Accessories, Footwear
ParentGordon Brothers

Wikiwand - Wet Seal (2024)

FAQs

Why did Wet Seal go out of business? ›

Financial troubles aside, the company was met with controversy over its labor practices. In 2013, it reached a $7.5 million settlement with plaintiffs who alleged Wet Seal fired African American employees who did not fit the brand's image.

Does the Wet Seal store still exist? ›

Wet Seal. This once-trendy retailer for young women's clothes, founded in 1962 as Lorne's and renamed Wet Seal in 1990, struggled for much of the last decade. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in 2015 after closing 338 stores. In 2017, the company closed its remaining 171 locations.

What happened to Arden B? ›

In 2014 Wet Seal announced that it would close all the Arden B stores by 2015. The Wet Seal, Inc. and its subsidiaries operated as a specialty retailer of apparel and accessory items for women in the United States.

What is the controversy with Wet Seal? ›

In 2012, LDF filed a class action lawsuit, Cogdell v. Wet Seal, alleging that top executives at Wet Seal directed senior managers to get rid of African American store management employees for the sake of its “brand image,” and to hire more white employees.

How many stores did Wet Seal have? ›

Financially struggling Wet Seal, the California-based retailer specializing in clothing for teen girls and young women, will close its stores nationwide, including two area sites, in the coming weeks. The chain will shutter all 171 of its remaining stores in 42 states.

What happened to Anchor Blue Jeans? ›

In 2011, Anchor Blue officially closed all stores due to economic struggles.

What did gadzooks turn into? ›

Gadzooks, Inc.

was a mall-based teenage clothing retailer. It was acquired by Forever 21 in 2005 and then shut down.

What happened to Charlotte Russe? ›

In an effort to offload some of its established debt Charlotte Russe sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on February 4, 2019. Two months later in April 2019, the brand had emerged with most of its long-term debt wiped out and was acquired by the Toronto-based retailer YM Inc., according to a press release.

Does Delia's still exist? ›

It currently operates under license as a sub-brand of online retailer Dolls Kill.

Is Forever 21 still in business? ›

Forever 21 is a multinational fast-fashion retailer headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States. Originally founded as the store Fashion 21 in Highland Park, Los Angeles in 1984, it is currently operated by Authentic Brands Group and Simon Property Group, with about 540 outlets. Forever 21, Inc.

When did Anchor Blue go out of business? ›

January 6, 2011 at 9:51 a.m. Trade publication California Apparel News reported Wednesday that Anchor Blue is going out of business. The Press Enterprise reported Wednesday that Anchor Blue shut down its corporate operations in Corona.

What happened to body central clothing? ›

Body Central Corp. went out of business over the weekend, a stunning reversal for a 42-year-old Jacksonville company that was seemingly on its way to huge success less than three years ago. The fashion retailer decided Friday to close down its remaining 265 stores and sell off the inventory.

When did Charlotte Russe close? ›

UPDATE: March 31 is the final day for Charlotte Russe, according to the company's social media accounts. Many locations have already closed. Charlotte Russe stores are entering their final days, with all locations expected to close by the end of the month, liquidators said.

Is a Wet Seal stamp better than a dry seal? ›

Dry gas seals have several advantages compared to conventional wet seals: higher reliability; safer operation; reduced emissions; lower operation and maintenance costs; and improved process gas quality.

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