History of Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters was founded in 1970 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Richard Hayne, Judy Wicks, and Scott Belair. Originally called Free People, the store was created to cater to college students with a mix of vintage clothing, accessories, and bohemian-inspired fashion. As the brand grew, it was renamed Urban Outfitters and expanded its product line to include home décor, beauty products, and lifestyle goods, appealing to a young, trend-conscious audience. By the 1980s, the company had begun opening new stores across the U.S. and later expanded internationally.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Urban Outfitters became known for its edgy and unconventional marketing, often sparking controversy with some of its designs and campaigns. The brand also diversified by launching Anthropologie, Free People (as a standalone brand), and other niche labels under its parent company, URBN. Today, Urban Outfitters operates hundreds of stores worldwide, maintaining its focus on alternative fashion and lifestyle products that appeal to creative and fashion-forward consumers.