Nautica is an American apparel and furnishings label founded by designer David Chu in 1983. Evolving from a menswear collection to include women's wear, children's clothing, accessories, home goods and furniture, the brand has grown into an American lifestyle brand that embodies the essence of the sporting and adventurous American lifestyle.
Nautica was sold in 1984 to New York apparel company State-O-Main, who then adopted the Nautica name as their corporate identify. In 2003, VF Corporation, an American clothing corporation that specializes in branded apparel, purchased the Nautica company.
Nautica partners with Coty to offer fragrances for men and women. The first fragrance, Nautica cologne for men, was launched in 1992. Many of the fragrances are blue in color (or in packaging), adorned with the spinnaker logo, and feature an aquatic-themed name and aroma.