Janet Howard Returns to Design

Janet Howard is relaunching her contemporary sportswear business, Janet Howard New York, known for its precision tailoring, architectural silhouettes, and meticulous detailing. The designer first gained prominence in the 1990s and is now poised to re-enter the market for the Spring '26 retail season.

A Legacy of Design Excellence

Howard previously built a strong reputation with collections including Janet Howard Collection, Misc., and Slates Janet Howard. These lines were carried by prominent retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and Bergdorf Goodman.

From Brand Founder to Industry Mentor

After over a decade of leading her brands, Howard closed her namesake collection in 2002. She then served as vice president of design at Levi Strauss & Co. through 2008. Following her role at Levi Strauss, Howard dedicated her time to mentoring emerging designers and guiding brands through all stages of product development.

“Design is in My DNA”

“I felt it was time to return; design has always been in my DNA,” Howard stated. “I’ve always said I’m only good at a few things and creating beautiful clothing is one of them; it truly is my life’s work. I came up in the ’90s, so being back in this moment feels right.”

Collection Details and Retail Strategy

The initial 40-piece collection will retail between $200 and $550. Howard operates a showroom in the historic Bennett Building in lower Manhattan. She plans to release three collections annually – spring, fall, and resort – with a total of 11 drops throughout the year.

Retail Partners and Brand Philosophy

The line is manufactured offshore and is currently available in high-end specialty stores including Liana in New York, Edythe in Philadelphia, Encounter in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Bella Rose in Lexington, Ky., and Wolo in Dallas, as well as on the Janet Howard e-commerce site.

“After all these years, the vision remains the same, create pieces that are timeless, intentional and beautiful made,” Howard explained. “It’s about precision, but also personality, those small details that make something feel truly special.”