Which American brand launched the Aerie sub-brand for lingerie and lifestyle clothing?

American Eagle Outfitters launched the Aerie sub-brand.

Aerie was introduced by American Eagle Outfitters in 2006 as a line centered on lingerie, sleepwear and related lifestyle clothing. It expanded the company beyond its established core of casual apparel, including jeans and other youth-oriented fashion.

The name is sometimes confused with American Eagle’s main brand because Aerie operates under the same corporate umbrella but uses separate branding and stores. Aerie later became especially recognized for body-positive marketing and campaigns featuring models without conventional retouching.

American Eagle Outfitters remains the parent company, while Aerie has developed its own product identity and customer base. The distinction matters because questions about the “brand” can refer either to the parent retailer or to the sub-brand launched by it.