Kipling is a brand selling handbags, backpacks, totes, luggage and other accessories. It was founded in 1987 in Antwerp, Belgium. Kipling has been a part of VF Corporation since 2004. Today, Kipling has 250 employees across its corporate offices in Antwerp, New Jersey, São Paulo, and Hong Kong. Kipling bags are sold in more than 80 countries internationally and can be found in more than 7,500 stores.

History

Kipling was founded in 1987 in Antwerp by designer Xavier Kegels (who also founded Hedgren) and Paul Van De Velde, who were joined by a third partner, Vincent Haverbeke. The name was inspired by

Rudyard Kipling Joseph Rudyard Kipling ( ; 30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936)''The Times'', (London) 18 January 1936, p. 12. was an English novelist, short-story writer, poet, and journalist. He was born in British Raj, British India, which inspired much o ...

who wrote the children’s story

The Jungle Book ''The Jungle Book'' (1894) is a collection of stories by the English author Rudyard Kipling. Most of the characters are animals such as Shere Khan the tiger and Baloo the bear, though a principal character is the boy or "man-cub" Mowgli, w ...

. In June 2004, VF Corporation, an American worldwide apparel and footwear company, acquired Kipling. Kipling became part of VF's " sportswear" range.

Timeline

*1986: The original founders of Kipling decide to create a new bags company in Antwerp, Belgium * 1989: Kipling goes to North America and Japan * 1993: Kipling goes to Central America * 2004: Kipling joins the portfolio of VF

Brand and products

Kipling is known for its casual-styled accessories, bags, backpacks and luggage. Besides its iconic crinkle nylon fabric, the brand produces bags in many other materials. Its offering ranges from pouches, wallets and small key hangers to handbags, cross-bodies, totes, backpacks, weekenders and luggage. The brand is also popular for its bright, heavy-duty travel pieces, as well as for its schoolbags among kids. Kipling is known for their signature furry monkey keychain.

Collaborations

* 1991 - Perrier * 1995 - Ford * 2007 - Fergie * 2008 - Gloria Coelho * 2009 - Cathy Pill * 2009 - Girls from Omsk * 2010 - El Degado Buil * 2010 - Peter Pilotto * 2011 - JCDC * 2013 - Helena Christensen * 2014 - Natalie Joos * 2015 - Eva Mouton * 2017 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs * 2018 - Alice in Wonderland * 2018 - ''

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'' * 2018 - Helen Lee * 2019 - Angel Chen * 2019 - Christine Lau * 2019 - Mickey Mouse * 2019 - Frozen II * 2020 -

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Anna Sui Anna Sui (; born August 4, 1964) is an American fashion designer. She was named one of the "Top 5 Fashion Icons of the Decade", and in 2009 earned the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (C ...

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External links

*
VF Corporation

References

{{Authority control VF Corporation Belgian companies established in 1987 Retail companies established in 1987 Clothing brands of Belgium Belgian brands Antwerp 2004 mergers and acquisitions