Jockey International has nothing to do with horses and everything to do with the classic men's brief (its invention). The more than 130-year-old company makes men's, women's, and children's underwear and loungewear. Its products are sold through thousands of department and specialty stores the likes of Bloomingdale's and JCPenney. Jockey International licenses and distributes its apparel in more than 120 countries and holds numerous licensing agreements. Chairman and CEO Debra Waller and her family own the company. Jockey International was founded by Samuel Cooper in 1876 as a hosiery company intended to relieve lumberjacks of blisters and infections resulting from shoddy wool socks.

Joe's Jeans Inc. was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Commerce, California. Joe's Jeans Inc. engages in the design, development, and marketing of apparel products worldwide. Its product line comprises women's, men's, and children's denim jeans, pants, shirts, sweaters, jackets, and other apparel products under the Joe's brand. The company also offers handbags, belts, and small leather goods under a license agreement. It sells its products to various retailers, including department stores, specialty stores, and distributors, as well as through its retail stores. As of December 31, 2008, Joe's Jeans Inc. operated two retail stores in Chicago, Illinois and San Francisco, California, as well as two outlets in Central Valley, New York and Orlando, Florida. The company was formerly known as Innovo Group Inc. and changed its name to Joe's Jeans Inc. in October 2007.

John Smedley wants to bathe its customers in a knitted medley of textures and colors. The company makes fashionable knitwear for men, women, and children, as well as underwear and nightwear. Its products are sold through department stores and boutiques, as well as through a pair of company retail outlets and a Web site. In early 2009, John Smedley redesigned its London flagship. Founded in 1784 by John Smedley and Peter Nightengale (uncle of famed nurse Florence), it runs the world's largest fine-gauge knitting plant (which remains located at its original site). The Smedley family still owns most of the firm.

Laura Tenison returned to her home in the UK and founded JoJo Maman Bébé (JMB) in 1993, with the goal of giving women a more stylish alternative to frumpy maternity clothing. The company, which Tenison owns, designs comfortable, expandable clothing ranging from casual pants and skirts for everyday wear to dresses and outfits for special occasions. JMB also offers maternity underwear and tops for breastfeeding, a line of clothing for infants and children, and a range of baby toys and other products, such as bath and travel gear, nursery decor, and car seats. The company sells its wares by print catalog and over the Internet.

It was the 1980s: Robin Williams wore rainbow suspenders, Tom Hanks wore a dress, and if you were hot, you had the Jordache look. Fast-forward more than two decades: Jordache Enterprises offers jeans, apparel, and accessories (shoes, purses) primarily for teens, mostly through decidedly non-designer retailers, such as Wal-Mart. It also licenses the Jordache name for eyewear and luggage. Jordache makes jeans under license for Gasoline, Sasson, KIKIT, FUBU, and U.S. Polo Association. Its premium Jordache Vintage line is sold at specialty stores. In 1977 a New York City store, owned by brothers and Israeli immigrants Joe, Ralph, and Avi Nakash, was burned and looted; insurance enabled them to launch Jordache.

Joseph Turner was founded by former number-cruncher Chris Legard in 1987. Joseph Turner is looking to expand its corrale of stylish devotees without bringing on the bricks. The tailored shirtmaker retails two-fold Egyptian cotton shirts and markets other items of apparel, including ties made of silk from Northern Italy; sterling-silver or gilt-plated cufflinks; cashmere and lamb-wool pullover sweaters made in Scotland; dress and casual shoes; and a variety of accessories. The company's retail operations include catalog and online sales; it does not retail through storefront shops.

The Juicy Couture company, formed by two So-Cal scenesters and orginally named Travis Jeans, makes women's T-shirts and other casual attire with a glamorous flair -- claiming that women want to be comfortable and feel gorgeous. Since its formation, the apparel firm has expanded into swimwear, beachwear, watches, children's and infants' wear, fragrances, and footwear. Juicy Couture brand clothes are distributed throughout the US, Europe, and Asia in 60 of its own stores, as well as through specialty and high-end department stores, such as Bergdorf Goodman. The firm was acquired by Liz Claiborne in early 2003.

Kangol Limited licenses its signature hats, footwear, and accessories (bags, watches) to be sold throughout North America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific. In addition to nearly 10 standalone stores in China, Japan, and South Korea, Kangol sells its designs through such specialty and department stores as Selfridges, Nordstrom, and Harrods. Founded in 1938 to make military berets in England, the brand is today enjoying popularity with the hip-hop community. The Kangol brand is owned by sporting goods retailer Sports Direct International (SDI).

KAYO of California would be happiest if everyone had Tattoos, despite what your mom says. The company makes women's clothing (stretch jeans and pants, denim leggings, and Capri pants) in junior, missy, plus size, and maternity sizes under the KAYO and Tattoo Jeans labels. KAYO of California, established in 1968, also makes pants, jeans, and shorts for juniors under private labels, such as Organically Grown. They're sold online, in retail stores, and in catalogs. The company's products are sold through mass merchants and department stores, including J. C. Penney, Sears, Wal-Mart, and Target, as well as through catalogs such as Newport News and Nordstrom.

The firm generates most of its sales from women's wear, including its Koret and Sag Harbor lines. It also produces men's and children's clothes and accessories. Its other brands include My Michelle, Baby Phat, Phat Farm, Rewind, Vince, and XOXO. The company is a major supplier to department stores, as well as mass retailers, specialty boutiques, and catalogs. Kellwood also operates Vince and Sag Harbor brand outlet stores across the US. Kellwood has gained a foothold in new niches and grown through acquisitions, including Vince, Briggs New York, and Phat Fashions. It was taken private in 2008 by Sun Capital Partners and has been restructuring.

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