What Madewell does

Madewell is a U.S.-based apparel retailer and wholly-owned subsidiary of J.Crew Group, founded in 2006 as a sister brand targeting a younger, contemporary customer. The company sells women's and men's clothing, with denim as its heritage category across women's fits (wide-leg, barrel-leg, baggy, relaxed, straight, flare, bootcut, slim, skinny) and men's fits (loose, straight, slim straight, relaxed tapered, athletic slim), supplemented by tops, dresses, sweaters, outerwear, footwear, accessories, and extended sizing (Curvy, Short, Petite, Tall, Plus, Maternity). The product portfolio is rounded out by sub-brands including Preloved (resale/recommerce), Labels We Love (curated partner collaborations), and The Denim Atelier (in-store and virtual styling service).

The company operates a direct-to-consumer omnichannel model spanning e-commerce (madewell.com), a dedicated iOS mobile app providing early product access and exclusive offers, an expanding physical retail footprint, and selective marketplace and affiliate partnerships. Pricing is unit-based across full-price merchandise ($28-$178 range, with denim $78-$168) supplemented by event-driven promotional discounting and the Madewell Insider loyalty program. Distribution is U.S.-domestic, with new physical stores in Sag Harbor (NY), Greenwich (CT), and Bend (OR) opening in May-June 2026 — the brand's first material store expansion since J.Crew Group emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020. Customer acquisition leverages paid and organic social (Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube), a Substack publication ("Well Said by Madewell"), email marketing, and affiliate channels including Aeroplan eStore. Recent strategic moves include sustainable sourcing via the Circ Fiber Club partnership, designer collaborations (Alexa Chung), and brand partnerships (Goop, Shopbop, RE&UP x ISKO).

Name

Madewell

Legal name

Madewell

Website

https://madewell.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Madewell is a U.S. apparel retailer and wholly-owned subsidiary of J.Crew Group, founded in 2006, selling women's and men's denim, clothing, accessories, and footwear through e-commerce, mobile app, and a growing physical retail footprint.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Apparel Retail

NAICS

Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (45811), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (458110)

SIC

Retail-Women's Clothing Stores (5621), Retail-Family Clothing Stores (5651), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro primary industry

Women’s Apparel Retail (CRAAABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maternity & Nursing Wear (Moms-to-be) (CRAAAHAL), Apparel, Footwear & Accessories Resale (CRAFAGAA)

Keywords

• Women's apparel
• Denim jeans
• Casual clothing
• Fashion accessories
• Lifestyle brand

Headquarters

HQ city

Long Island City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail Apparel Sales: Madewell generates revenue through direct product sales of clothing, denim, accessories, and footwear through its e-commerce platform and retail stores. Products are sold at various price points ranging from entry-level to premium.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Madewell designs, sources, and retails contemporary women's and men's apparel with a heritage focus on denim, alongside tops, dresses, sweaters, jackets, swimwear, footwear, and accessories (bags, jewelry, sunglasses, belts, socks). Products are sold under the Madewell brand directly to consumers through madewell.com, the Madewell iOS app, and an expanding footprint of owned retail stores in the U.S. The assortment is offered across inclusive size ranges (Curvy, Short, Petite, Tall, Plus, Maternity) and is supported by the Preloved recommerce resale program, the in-store Denim Atelier styling and hemming service, and the Madewell Insider loyalty program.

Product overview

Madewell is an apparel retailer owned by J. Crew Group, offering a unified e-commerce platform and brick-and-mortar retail experience. The core product portfolio centers on women's and men's denim (the brand's heritage category), supplemented by full apparel lines including tops, dresses, sweaters, and outerwear, plus accessories (bags, jewelry, footwear). Key sub-brands include Preloved (resale), Labels We Love (partner collaborations), and The Denim Atelier (styling services). The Madewell Insider loyalty program and mobile app provide early access and exclusive offers. Seasonal collections like The Linen Shop and The Getaway Shop rotate throughout the year, while the 2026 collaboration with Alexa Chung and partnership with Circ's Fiber Club for sustainable materials represent recent initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Women's Apparel Full-line women's clothing assortment (jeans, dresses, tops, shirts, tees, tanks, shorts, pants, skirts, sweaters, jackets, coats, swimwear, matching sets) sold to individual women consumers via e-commerce, mobile app, and retail stores.
• Men's Apparel Full-line men's clothing assortment (jeans, shirts, tees, polos, shorts, pants, sweaters, hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets) for individual men consumers via e-commerce, mobile app, and dual-concept retail stores.
• Women's Denim Heritage women's denim category with multiple fits (wide-leg, barrel-leg, baggy, relaxed, straight-leg, flare, bootcut, slim, skinny) and inclusive sizing (Curvy, Short, Petite, Tall, Plus, Maternity), priced $78–$168.
• Men's Denim Men's denim assortment in multiple fits (loose, straight, slim straight, relaxed tapered, athletic slim) for everyday and workwear-inspired looks.
• Women's Accessories Women's accessories including bags, jewelry, belts, sunglasses, wallets, bag accessories, hats, bandanas, and socks ($18–$148).
• Men's Accessories Men's accessories including sunglasses, belts, and socks.
• Women's Shoes Women's footwear assortment including sandals, ballet flats, flats, loafers, heels, and sneakers ($98–$168).
• Men's Shoes Men's footwear assortment including sandals, sneakers, and dress shoes and loafers.
• Preloved Recommerce Program Resale/recommerce program that lets customers buy and sell pre-owned Madewell items, supporting circular fashion and customer lifecycle value.
• The Denim Atelier Styling Service In-store and virtual styling service pairing customers with denim experts for personalized fit consultations, including free hemming for loyalty members.
• Madewell Mobile App iOS mobile shopping app providing early access to new product drops, exclusive app-only offers, and an enhanced mobile shopping experience for Madewell customers.
• Alexa Chung for Madewell Collaboration Collection Limited edition clothing collaboration designed by Alexa Chung as part of Madewell's Weekly Drop program.

Quantifiable outcome

• First significant store expansion since 2020 bankruptcy emergence
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CirccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Madewell partnered with Circ's Fiber Club initiative to scale commercial use of recycled textiles. The program addresses historical barriers to sustainable material adoption by combining demand across pulp, fiber, and yarn stages to lower minimum order sizes and pricing. Collections using TENCEL | Circ with REFIBRA technology incorporate 30% recycled polycotton textile waste.
• LenzingcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2026Supply chain partner coordinating production of recycled pulp to fiber to yarn in partnership with Circ and Madewell's Fiber Club initiative.
• Linz TextilcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2026Supply chain partner coordinating yarn production for Madewell's sustainable textile initiatives through the Circ Fiber Club program.
• GoopminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Co-branded pop-up in the Hamptons in 2024 that proved successful and led to the decision to open permanent retail locations in the area.
• Alexa ChungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner collaboration featuring limited edition clothing collection as part of Madewell's Weekly Drop program.
• ShopbopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMadewell x Shopbop collaboration featuring co-branded clothing items including Easy Shirt in Poplin, Pull-On Shorts, '90s One-Shoulder Tank, Pointelle-Knit items, Melody Smocked Mini Dress, and Gathered A-Line Midi Dress.
• AeroplanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMadewell available through Aeroplan eStore platform, allowing members to earn points on purchases.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• J.Crew: J.Crew is Madewell's direct sibling brand under J.Crew Group, sharing the same parent, distribution infrastructure, and customer demographic. Comparable because it sells similar contemporary apparel at overlapping price points, allowing direct benchmarking on brand momentum, pricing strategy, and channel productivity.
• Aritzia: Aritzia is a Canadian contemporary women's apparel retailer with a strong denim and casual wear assortment, omnichannel DTC + store model, and similar price points to Madewell. Directly comparable on brand positioning, target customer, and active physical-store expansion strategy.
• Reformation: Reformation is a sustainable women's contemporary apparel brand that is also a partner in Circ's Fiber Club initiative alongside Madewell. Highly comparable on sustainability positioning, contemporary price points, and the women-focused assortment, with a stronger sustainability-led brand narrative.
• Everlane: Everlane is a DTC contemporary apparel brand with strong denim basics and a "radical transparency" value proposition at overlapping price points. Directly comparable on target customer, denim-led assortment, and premium-accessible positioning.
• Anthropologie (URBN): Anthropologie is a women's specialty apparel and lifestyle retailer with a similar price band, lifestyle-brand positioning, and a strong brick-and-mortar footprint. Comparable on assortment breadth, store experience, and women's contemporary customer base.
• Banana Republic (Gap Inc.): Banana Republic operates in a similar mass-premium contemporary space with women's and men's apparel and denim. Comparable on customer demographic overlap, omnichannel model, and pricing tier, though with a more workwear-leaning assortment.
• Citizens of Humanity: Citizens of Humanity is a premium denim and contemporary apparel brand sold through Madewell's "Labels We Love" partner program. Directly comparable as a denim specialist with overlapping customer, premium positioning, and U.S. retail/wholesale distribution.
• Frame (Frame Denim): Frame is a premium contemporary denim and ready-to-wear brand positioned in the same premium-contemporary tier as Madewell. Comparable on denim-led assortment, women's contemporary customer, and U.S./international wholesale + DTC distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Levi Strauss & Co. Levi's is the dominant mass-to-premium denim incumbent globally. Comparable as the heritage denim benchmark against which Madewell's Denim Atelier and fit variety compete, though operating at a much larger scale and broader price band.
• COS (H&M Group): COS is the contemporary minimalist apparel brand within H&M Group, offering women's and men's apparel at similar accessible price points with a strong physical + DTC footprint. Comparable on contemporary positioning, omnichannel model, and international reach that Madewell currently lacks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQJOKbc6vPXFDzbfUQ0i7HA
• Instagraminstagram.com/madewell
• TikToktiktok.com/@madewell
• Pinterestpinterest.com/madewell
• Xx.com/madewell1937
• Facebookfacebook.com/madewell
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/madewell

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Madewell