Mike Faherty: The Designer Behind a Growing American Fashion Brand
From surfing on the Jersey Shore to building Faherty Brand with his twin brother, here is the story of his education, family business, career and creative work.
Last Updated on October 25, 2026 by Business Blog Media Editorial Team
Introduction
Mike Faherty is an American fashion designer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Faherty Brand, a clothing company known for comfortable fabrics, casual styles and its connection to coastal life. He started the business in 2013 with his identical twin brother, Alex Faherty, and Alex’s wife, Kerry Docherty.
His journey began long before that. As a child, he loved clothing and dreamed about creating his own fashion company. Years later, after studying fashion design and working at Ralph Lauren, he turned that idea into a real business.
Today, he serves as the company’s Chief Creative Officer. His main job is to guide its clothing designs and creative direction.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mike Faherty |
| Profession | Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Co-founding Faherty Brand |
| Hometown | Spring Lake, New Jersey |
| Education | Washington University in St. Louis |
| Field of Study | Fashion Design |
| University Graduation | 2005 |
| Former Employer | Ralph Lauren |
| Company | Faherty Brand |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Current Position | Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer |
| Twin Brother | Alex Faherty |
| Mother | Ninie Norris |
| Sister-in-law | Kerry Docherty |
| Business Headquarters | New York City, United States |
Early Life and Childhood
Mike grew up near the beaches of Spring Lake, New Jersey. Surfing was a normal part of life there. So were family gatherings and long summer days.
He shared those experiences with his identical twin brother, Alex.
The brothers came from a large blended family with seven children. Their childhood home was often full of relatives and friends.
Those early experiences stayed with Mike.
He loved the beach lifestyle. But he also paid close attention to clothing. Even as a young boy, he enjoyed shopping for new clothes and looking at different designs.
His interest grew stronger when his family moved to Manhattan during his childhood.
New York offered something different.
There were large fashion stores, expensive fabrics and clothing styles he had not seen in the local surf shops.
In a 2026 interview with Entrepreneur, he recalled visiting Bergdorf Goodman with his father and feeling a cashmere sweater for the first time.
That experience gave him an idea.
He wanted casual clothes that felt as comfortable as luxury fashion. Something people could wear near the beach or around the city.
The idea stayed with him.
Education and University Years
Mike studied fashion design at Washington University in St. Louis, graduating in 2005.
His education helped him turn a personal interest into practical skills.
He learned how to sketch clothing, make patterns, cut fabrics and sew garments.
Actually, learning to sew was a big part of his training.
He spent long hours working on assignments. Some projects were difficult, but he enjoyed making something with his own hands.
He also played college basketball while studying fashion.
His university experience was unusual. He had to manage basketball commitments alongside design classes and clothing projects.
The work paid off.
In April 2005, Washington University featured a dress designed by Michael Faherty in its annual fashion design show. The garment included a skirt that could also work as a cape.
That university record offers an early example of his design work.
His First Clothing Business Idea
Before finishing school, Mike had already imagined starting a company.
He called his early concept Coast to Curb.
The name explained the idea.
He wanted clothing inspired by relaxed coastal living, but suitable for city streets.
Think about a soft shirt.
It should feel comfortable during a weekend near the ocean. Yet it should still look good at dinner in New York.
That balance became a major part of his future business.
He wrote about the idea in his college application essay.
At that point, it was only a dream. He still needed practical industry experience before starting a company.
Building His Career at Ralph Lauren
After graduating in 2005, Mike joined Ralph Lauren.
It was a big opportunity.
Ralph Lauren was already a respected American fashion company. Working there gave him access to experienced designers, fabric suppliers and established clothing production systems.
He initially worked in children’s clothing design before moving into menswear.
Later, he worked on the Double RL collection, commonly known as RRL.
The collection drew inspiration from vintage American clothing, workwear and traditional designs.
Mike spent roughly seven years at Ralph Lauren, from 2005 to 2012.
During that period, he learned how clothing moves from an early sketch into a finished product.
Fabric quality became a major interest.
He worked with mills, studied patterns and gained experience in garment production.
Those skills would help him build his own company.
Starting a Family Fashion Business
In 2013, Mike and Alex launched Faherty Brand.
The brothers had different professional backgrounds.
Mike understood clothing design. Alex had worked in finance and private equity.
That made their partnership practical.
Mike could concentrate on fabrics, garments and creative ideas. Alex could handle business planning and company operations.
Alex’s wife, Kerry Docherty, also joined the founding team.
Their mother, Ninie Norris, later helped create the interiors of the company’s stores.
The business was built around a shared family dream.
Their first collection launched on April 8, 2013, according to Harper’s Bazaar.
Early products included swimwear and casual shorts.
The brothers wanted clothing that felt comfortable without looking cheap or disposable.
But getting people to notice a new brand was difficult.
They needed a different approach.
The Beach House on Wheels
One of the company’s earliest marketing ideas was a mobile shop.
They called it the Beach House on Wheels.
It was basically a traveling clothing store.
Instead of depending only on a permanent retail location, the company could take its products directly to different communities.
The mobile shop visited events and locations where customers could see the clothing in person.
People could touch the fabrics, check the fit and learn the company’s story.
That personal contact helped the young business introduce its products to new customers.
The approach matched the brothers’ lifestyle.
They loved traveling. They also understood beach communities.
So taking the brand on the road made sense.
Growing the Company Across America
The company began with a small product collection.
It later grew into a wider clothing business offering men’s apparel, women’s clothing and accessories.
Retail stores became an important part of its growth.
By 2020, the business had opened 13 stores across the United States, according to Entrepreneur.
The founders continued investing in physical retail locations during the COVID-19 pandemic, including signing leases for future stores.
That decision helped the company expand its physical presence.
By September 2026, WBUR reported that Faherty had more than 90 stores across the United States.
The business also moved into international retail.
Its official store directory lists a location in Biarritz, France.
The clothing company that began as a childhood idea had grown far beyond its Jersey Shore roots.
His Role as Chief Creative Officer
Mike remains closely involved with product design.
He serves as Chief Creative Officer, working on the company’s creative direction and clothing collections.
His approach starts with the fabric.
In an article published on the company’s website, he explained how he works directly with mills and garment factories.
He has visited production partners in Istanbul, Turkey, to check materials and clothing construction.
He enjoys that part of the job.
For him, the process of making clothes matters as much as the finished product.
He pays attention to how garments feel, how the fabric moves and whether people can wear the clothing comfortably.
He also wants designs to last beyond one season.
That explains the brand’s focus on classic casual clothing.
The Legend Sweater Shirt
One of his best-known clothing designs is the Legend Sweater Shirt.
The product launched in 2018.
It was created to combine the comfortable feel of a sweater with the appearance of a button-up shirt.
Mike worked with fabric suppliers to develop the material.
The company uses a blend that includes polyester, viscose and spandex.
Each material serves a purpose, including softness, stretch and helping the garment keep its shape.
The shirt became one of Faherty Brand’s best-selling products.
It also showed how much attention Mike gives to fabric development.
Sometimes the smallest details matter.
A shirt may look simple, but creating the right feel can take substantial work.
Family and His Twin Brother
Family has always been part of Mike’s professional life.
His twin brother, Alex Faherty, is the company’s CEO.
They grew up together, shared the same interest in beach culture and eventually started a business.
Their different skills helped them divide responsibilities.
Mike handles design. Alex manages business operations.
Their mother, Ninie Norris, is known for designing the interiors of Faherty stores.
Kerry Docherty, Alex’s wife, serves as Chief Impact Officer.
She works on the company’s environmental and social initiatives.
In interviews, the family has explained that the business grew from their shared interests and long-term plans.
Their partnership continues to be a major part of the brand’s identity.
Sustainability and Community Work
Faherty Brand has made public commitments to reducing the environmental impact of its clothing.
The company uses materials such as organic cotton and recycled fabrics in selected products.
It also runs projects related to clothing reuse and waste reduction.
In July 2024, Faherty Brand received B Corporation certification.
The certification comes from B Lab, an organization that assesses companies using standards covering workers, customers, communities, environmental practices and company management.
The business has also developed partnerships with Native American artists.
These collaborations aim to support authentic designs and create paid opportunities for participating artists.
Kerry Docherty has publicly discussed the company’s earlier mistakes involving Native-inspired clothing designs and the work undertaken to address them.
These initiatives are part of the company’s wider activities, alongside its clothing business.
Business Success and Recognition
Mike’s business career has received attention from major publications.
His work has been covered by GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, Entrepreneur, Forbes and other media outlets.
In October 2025, Mike and Alex appeared on the How I Built This podcast with Guy Raz.
They discussed their childhood plans, early business decisions and the company’s growth.
In September 2026, WBUR described Faherty as a business valued at approximately $250 million.
That figure refers to the company, not Mike’s personal wealth.
The financial value of a business should never be confused with the private wealth of one founder.
His strongest professional achievement remains helping build a widely distributed clothing brand from a small family venture.
Personal Interests and Lifestyle
Mike’s interests extend beyond fashion.
Surfing remains closely connected to his lifestyle.
He also enjoys basketball, traveling and visiting new places.
His professional biography has mentioned his interest in finding less crowded surf locations and interesting restaurants.
Travel plays a part in his design work, too.
He visits fabric suppliers and manufacturing partners to understand their production methods.
For Mike, clothing inspiration often comes from everyday experiences.
A beach trip, an old shirt or a particular fabric can start a new design idea.
That is how he continues developing products.
Where He Is Today
As of 2026, Mike continues working as Faherty Brand’s Chief Creative Officer.
The business has expanded from its original focus on beach clothing into a larger lifestyle apparel company.
It now operates retail locations across the United States and has established an international presence.
His brother Alex remains involved in managing the business, while Mike leads the creative side.
The original idea remains recognizable.
Make comfortable clothing. Use good fabrics. Keep the designs practical.
That is still the approach behind much of his work.
Final Thought
Mike Faherty built his career around an interest that began during childhood.
He liked clothes. He wanted to make them. And he spent years learning how.
His time at university gave him technical skills. Ralph Lauren taught him about professional fashion production.
Then came the family business.
What began with his brother as a childhood dream eventually grew into an established American clothing company.
His story shows how years of practical experience can help turn a simple idea into a lasting business.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Mike Faherty?
Mike Faherty is an American fashion designer and entrepreneur. He co-founded Faherty Brand in 2013 and serves as its Chief Creative Officer.
2. What company did he start?
He co-founded Faherty Brand, an American clothing company specializing in premium casual apparel.
3. Who is his twin brother?
His identical twin brother is Alex Faherty, the CEO and co-founder of Faherty Brand.
4. Where did he go to college?
He attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he studied fashion design and graduated in 2005.
5. Did he work at Ralph Lauren?
Yes. He worked at Ralph Lauren from 2005 to 2012, including several years designing clothing for the Double RL collection.
6. When was Faherty Brand founded?
The company launched in April 2013. Its founders were Mike Faherty, Alex Faherty and Kerry Docherty.
7. What does he do at the company?
He leads the company’s creative direction and works on clothing design, fabrics and product development.
8. What is the Legend Sweater Shirt?
It is a popular Faherty clothing product introduced in 2018. Mike helped develop its fabric to combine the comfort of a sweater with the appearance of a button-up shirt.
