Guess Fashion story

The Marciano brothers story began in 1981. Having fallen in love with Los Angeles on a family vacation, the four Marciano brothers, from the South of France, decided to make it their home. The brand name was suggested by an advertising slogan they saw everyday on the drive to their office: “Guess what’s in our new Big Mac?” The word stuck in their minds. Soon it became the name on their headquarters building on Olympic Boulevard, just down the street from the billboard that had inspired them.

They chose an American icon for their breakthrough product: a slim-fitting, stonewashed, three-zip ankle jean they called the Marilyn Jean. Defying the fact that stonewashing was rare in the US market – and potential skepticism about French gentlemen making such a symbolically American product – they sent a pair of jeans and a handwritten note to selected department stores. Bloomingdales loved the jeans, and ordered 24 pairs. The unique, sexy-cut style sold out within a few hours.