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While their initial success was largely fueled by the city's urgent
need for clothing, their reputation for quality steadily grew. In 1879, Marcus Marx joined
the partnership, but it was the 1887 arrival of Joseph Schaffner that gave the company the
name that would follow it for more than 100 years: Hart Schaffner & Marx. Schaffner's
arrival ushered in an era of creativity and industry firsts.
Early innovations included standard pricing, selling from swatches instead of cumbersome
trunks, the first national men's apparel magazine advertisement, and, in 1936, the first
zippered pants.
Hart Schaffner & Marx survived the Great Depression and went to war twice, turning over
its plants for U.S. uniform production. In the 1950s and 1960s the Company conquered new
fronts, making its first major acquisitions, pioneering the celebrity endorsement with
brands including Jack Nicklaus, and building upon its reputation as "America's First Name
in Tailored Clothing." In 1983, the company changed its name to Hartmarx to reflect its
diverse holdings, with Hart Schaffner & Marx remaining a flagship label.
Today, Hartmarx' strengths lie where they always have, in producing the apparel its
customers seek. From top-branded tailored clothing that defines the modern workplace to
trend-on sportswear and women's apparel, Hartmarx brings style and momentum to every
segment it serves.
Yet one thing remains the same. As in 1887, Hartmarx thrives on a core quality: the
recognition of opportunity. Like the Company's Chicago headquarters, it's at the heart
of American commerce itself.
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