ANN’S HERITAGE
ANN’s history dates to 1954, when founder Richard Liebeskind opened the first Ann Taylor store featuring the “Ann Taylor,” a best-selling dress design his father gifted him for good luck. Browse our timeline for more amazing facts!
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1950’s
Our first Ann Taylor store opens in New Haven, Connecticut, on August 30, 1954. From the start, we wanted to do more than just dress the American woman. We sought to understand and cater to her lifestyle.
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1960’s
On trend, but never trendy, we kept pace with the evolving silhouette – from the polished “Jackie Kennedy” look of the early ‘60’s to our own interpretation of “mod and modish” by decade’s end.
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1970’s
As women made advances both socially and professionally, we responded with versatile, work-wearable pieces perfect for her emerging, career woman status.
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1980’s
We quickly became a national presence, growing from 47 stores in 1983 to 120 by the end of the decade. Power suits and shoulder pads defined ‘80’s “corporate” chic.
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1990’s
We went public in 1991 (NYSE: ANN) and in 1998, opened our first 18 LOFT stores. Always in step with our Client, we catered to her more relaxed look – and outlook – winning thousands of new fans.
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2000’s – today
In our 50th anniversary decade, we celebrated the opening of our Times Square Corporate Office, as well as the launch of our Outlet and Factory stores, and our E-Commerce websites. In 2012, we premiered on the international stage, opening our first Ann Taylor and LOFT stores in Canada.
