Fossil - Fashion Company Profile
Fossil is the Richardson, Texas accessories group founded in 1984 by Tom Kartsotis - the company that turned the watch from a merely functional object into a fashion item, and grew into Fossil Group (NASDAQ: FOSL), selling watches, jewelry, handbags and leather goods under its own brands (Fossil, Skagen, Michele, Zodiac) and licensed names from Michael Kors to Armani Exchange.
Company Snapshot
- Status
- Operating - Fossil Group, Inc., a global design, marketing and distribution company for consumer fashion accessories
- Type
- Public - NASDAQ: FOSL (renamed from Fossil, Inc. to Fossil Group, Inc. in May 2013)
- Headquarters
- Richardson, Texas, United States
- Founded
- 1984, by Tom Kartsotis
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Company Profile
The record below - the vintage-authentic design language, the collectible tins, the three businesses and the photograph of a Fossil watch and bag - is kept in full on the history page. Current collections are on Fossil's own site, linked above; the shop box covers Fossil products sold through Amazon and eBay.
The brand architecture is two-tiered, and historical descriptions list both tiers in full. Proprietary brands: FOSSIL, RELIC, MW, MW MICHELE, MOBILEWEAR and ZODIAC. Licensed brands, under some of the most prestigious names in the world: ADIDAS, BURBERRY, CALLAWAY GOLF, COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR, DIESEL, DKNY, EMPORIO ARMANI, MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS and MARC by MARC JACOBS. In the early 1990s Fossil expanded its core business into handbags, belts, small leather goods and sunglasses under the FOSSIL and RELIC brands; it owns or licenses proprietary watch technology including BIG TIC, developed in 1998, and the patent-pending combination automatic/quartz movement called TWIST. Jewelry is offered under the FOSSIL, DIESEL and EMPORIO ARMANI brands; in 2000 came FOSSIL Jeans wear for youthful consumers, and in 2002 the proprietary technology brand ABACUS, targeted for distribution in the electronics channel. Accessories in this profile are treated in product terms throughout.
Fossil History
The earlier record for this company - its history, past brand line-ups, figures and photographs from the periods described - is kept on a separate page for historical reference.
Fossil History & Historical Profile →Common Questions
When was Fossil founded, and what is it known for?
Founded in 1984, Fossil was the first American brand to bring value and style to the watch category, transforming timekeeping from the merely functional to chic and stylish must-haves for the wrist, in the historical record.
Which brands does Fossil sell watches under, as recorded?
Proprietary brands FOSSIL, RELIC, MW, MW MICHELE, MOBILEWEAR and ZODIAC, and licensed brands including ADIDAS, BURBERRY, CALLAWAY GOLF, COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR, DIESEL, DKNY, EMPORIO ARMANI, MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS and MARC by MARC JACOBS, in the historical record.
What is Fossil's Swiss business?
In 2001 Fossil acquired three companies in Bienne, Switzerland, gaining design, sourcing and production capabilities for Swiss made designs; its Swiss Division, Montres Antima SA, handles Burberry timepieces, in the historical record.
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