 | |
| Formerly | Venus Body Wear, Venus Swimwear |
|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | 11711 Marco Beach Drive Jacksonville,Florida United States |
| Products | Clothing Swimwear Shoes Accessories |
Number of employees | 850+ |
| Parent | American Exchange Group |
| Website | www.venus.com |
Venus is an Americanonline andcatalogfashion retailerheadquartered inJacksonville, Florida.[1][2] The company sellsclothing,shoes,jewelry andaccessories for women.[3] Venus is known for itsswimwear andlingerie.[1][4] The company is known for actively participating in charitable endeavors and community activities.[5][6]
In 1982, Daryle Scott,IBMengineer andMBA student, and three other investors created amail order apparel company that focused in competitive body suits.[7] In 1984, Scott createdVenus Body Wear,[7] anAmerican clothing and swimsuit retailer, selling ladies' leotards and exercise apparel via full-page advertisements inCosmopolitan and other national magazines. A year later, the company expanded to include women’s swimwear and became known asVenus Swimwear.[7] In 1998, the company opened its first retail store on the first level of the shopping mall,Jacksonville Landing.[8] The store was located nearThe Body Shop andFoot Locker.[8] During this time the company already had a Venus Factory Outlet onBeach Boulevard in Jacksonville.[8]
In 1999, Venus acquired WinterSilks, a large importer of silk fashions. In 2000, reflecting the expanded offerings, the company name changed to Venus. In November 2006, Venus, Venus Manufacturing, and WinterSilks, were acquired 80% byGolden Gate Capital, under their Catalog Holdings Group. The three companies fell under a new, united company name, Venus Holdings, LLC. In 2007, Venus opened three new retail stores, including one at shopping mallCoconut Point inEstero.[9][10] In 2009, Venus Holdings was acquired by the German catalog company Bon Prix, a subsidiary ofOtto.[2][11]
As of 2018, the company employs nearly 1,000 people, 600 of which work at the headquarters in Jacksonville, 300 people work at the distribution center and approximately 50 people work at a Venusfashion design office inBoca Raton.[12] In September 2020, Venus announced that it is permanently laying off 120 jobs at its distribution center as part of a plan to open a second distribution facility on the west coast.[13][14][15]
In February 2012,Kate Upton andJulie Henderson wore bikinis by Venus in the annualSports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.[16] Venus' swimwear has also been featured in theCBStalk showThe Wendy Williams Show.[16]
Venus has held an annual Venus Model Search since 1989.[17] Venus Swimwear Model Search was documented in the fifth episode of the first season ofHDNet's reality seriesBikini Destinations in 2003.
In 2002, actress and modelBrooke Burke created a swimwear line called Barely Brooke with Venus. In June 2020, Venus Fashion launched a swimwear line withSports Illustrated Swimsuit.[18][19][20] The collaboration featured nearly 40 items, including long-sleeved one-pieces, tie-dye, neon, color-block and animal print swimwear and cover-ups.[21] The pieces were priced between $85 and $140, and sold online. Select pieces from the collection were featured in the 2020Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.[18]
| Model | Occupation | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Bree Condon[24] | Fashion model and actress | Appeared on the drama filmBombshell (2019) |
| Jessica Hart[24] | Fashion model | Appeared on themagazine covers for AustralianVogue,Elle andGQ |
| Brooke Burke | Model and fitness personality | Host ofE!'sWild On! andCBS's reality show,Rock Star |
| Joanna Krupa[24] | Model and television personality | Former cast member ofBravo's reality showThe Real Housewives of Miami |
| Barbie Blank[25] | Professional wrestler and model | World Wrestling Entertainmentprofessional wrestler on theECW Brand |
| Karen McDougal | Model and actress | Playboy'sPlaymate of the Month for December 1997 andPlaymate of the Year of 1998 |
| Nikki Schieler | Model and actress | Playboy's Playmate of the Month for September 1997 |
| Dalene Kurtis | Model | Playboy's Playmate of the Month for September 2001 and Playmate of the Year of 2002 |
| Rachel Reynolds | Model | Currently a prize model onCBS'sgame showThe Price Is Right |