Peter Millar (company)

Peter Millar is a premium American lifestyle brand founded in 2001 featuring a wide range of casual sportswear, tailored dress furnishings, and luxury and performance golf attire for men and women. The company maintains its headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Compagnie Financière Richemont SA. The company distributes to North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific online and in brand stores, specialty retail stores, resorts and golf clubs.^[1]

History

After decades in sales representing high-end luxury buyers such as Burberry and Hugo Boss, Chris Knott founded Peter Millar in 2001 as an accessible luxury clothing company accentuated by saturated colors and attention to detail. The name of the company was inspired by the inscription on an antique lawn bowling ball, evoking an era of finer dressing.^[2]

In 2005, Scott Mahoney, former executive at Polo Ralph Lauren, teamed with Sea Island Company to purchase Peter Millar and then took leadership as Chief Executive Officer.^[3]

Mike Bowers, former buyer for the golf apparel industry, joined the team in 2007 and later took the role of VP of design and merchandising.

In 2007, Peter Millar signed a license agreement with Empire Clothing of Canada for manufacturing and distribution of Peter Millar’s tailored clothing line.

In 2009, Winona Capital Management, a Chicago-based private equity firm, purchased a majority interest in Peter Millar from the Sea Island Company.

Todd Martin, president of Peter Millar Golf, joined the team in January 2010 with over 16 years of experience in the better golf apparel market, formerly serving as president of Fairway & Greene Inc.

In 2011, Peter Millar moved its design and marketing headquarters to a new showroom in downtown Raleigh, NC, and opened a warehouse space and offices in Durham, NC.

In 2012, Peter Millar was acquired by Richemont SA, a Swiss-based luxury goods holding company whose brands include Cartier (jeweler), Van Cleef & Arpels, Montblanc (company), Vacheron Constantin, and Jaeger-LeCoultre.^[4] Executive Scott Ruerup, former vice president of sales at Hickey Freeman, joined the team the same year, eventually taking a role as president of Peter Millar Collection.

Brian Dillman joined the team in 2013 as managing director of international at Peter Millar with more than 20 years’ experience in international sales and distribution, product development, marketing strategy and execution.

In March 2015, founder Chris Knott announced his retirement.^[5]

In 2015, Jason Cater was announced as the new vice president of design and merchandising – collection. Cater was previously of Ermenegildo Zegna where he was vice president of wholesale for Ermenegildo Zegna Sportswear, Shoes, and Leather Goods.^[6]

Stores

In 2011, Peter Millar opened its first company-owned retail store in Southampton, New York, followed by a retail store in Palm Beach, Florida, on iconic Worth Avenue.

Peter Millar launched a three-month Limited Engagement Shop in Manhattan operating October–December 2013.^[7]

In summer of 2014, Peter Millar opened its first company owned retail store outside of the US at The Old Course Hotel at St. Andrews, Scotland.^[8]

In late 2014, Peter Millar opened a flagship retail store in New York at 536 Madison Avenue.^[9] Shortly afterward, it opened a retail store in Austin, Texas, at The Domain Shopping Center.^[10]

In September 2015, the brand opened a boutique in Raleigh's North Hills.^[11]

In December 2015, Peter Millar opened a store in partnership with Andrisen Morton, a high-end menswear clothier in Denver.^[12]

Peter Millar opened a shopping destination in Atlanta in January 2016. The store involves a targeted partnership with long-time industry veterans Robby Miller and Greg Miller of Miller Brothers, a high-end menswear clothier in Atlanta. The 1,250 square ft. store is located in the heart of Alpharetta at the Avalon Shopping Center.

Peter Millar is also carried in golf clubs and specialty retail stores across the world as well as select Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus stores. The brand recently set up a shop-in-shop experience in Harrods.

Golf Sponsorships

The company signed PGA Tour players Brandt Snedeker, Bill Haas and Harris English as brand ambassadors in 2012.

In 2013 Peter Millar signed European Tour players Branden Grace^[13] and Richard Sterne^[14] as style ambassadors.

Peter Millar signed European Tour and Sunshine Tour Player George Coetzee as brand ambassador in 2014.

Scottish professional golfer Richie Ramsay who plays on the European Tour was signed in early 2015.^[15]

Notable Information

The brand’s motto is “Live a life of style & substance.”

Every Peter Millar shipment includes a signature mint inside the box.^[16]

Golf Channel's Morning Drive host Gary Williams is a brand advocate and ambassador.^[17]

ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas wears tailored suits and dress furnishings by Peter Millar.^[18]

In 2011, United States Presidents Cup Captain, Fred Couples, choose Peter Millar to outfit the entire U.S. team for the 2011 matches in Melbourne, Australia.

In 2013, the brand was selected as the official apparel provider for the International Team at The Presidents Cup 2013 in Dublin, Ohio.^[19]

In 2015, the brand was selected as the official apparel provider for the International Team at The Presidents Cup, held in Songdo IBD, South Korea, in October 2015.

References