Vahan Chamlian ( Armenian: Վահան Շամլեան, 1926 – August 11, 2022), [1] was an American-Armenian philanthropist and businessman, and the world's largest dealer of secondhand clothes. [2] [3] [4] [5]
Of Armenian descent, Vahan Chamlian emigrated from Lebanon to the United States in 1957, [4] arriving in the United States with just $20 in his pocket. [6] He eventually founded the company Chamlian Enterprises Inc., which became the world's largest dealer in secondhand clothes. [4] The company employs eight hundred workers in its Los Angeles, Fresno and San Lorenzo locations; [3] he has also opened a factory in Germany. [2] By 1996, Chamlian owned three sorting plants which grossed $78.6 million from the recycling and exporting of used clothing. [2] Some of Chamlian's suppliers include Salvation Army and Goodwill. [3] The largest demand for Chamlian's used clothing comes from Third World countries, in particular West African countries. [3] John, the nephew of Vahan Chamlian, who manages the operations in Los Angeles states the attention to detail is what "makes them the best". [3]
Vahan Chamlian married Anoush, who is also a philanthropist. [4]
He and his wife resided in Fresno, California. [4]
In 1975, Vahan Chamlian along with his wife Anoush raised funds to pay for all expenses for the establishment of an Armenian private school in Glendale, California. [4] [3] [7] The name of the school became Vahan & Anoush Chamlian. The school, located on Lowell Avenue, continues to function till this day. [7] Vahan Chamlian is noted to have taken "pride" in its establishment. [3]
He was a major contributor to the Armenia Fund, donating as much as $500,000 at a time. [6]
He was a donator of funds for the publication of Armenian related books. [8]
Chamlian met the former president of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. [3]
The publication of this book has been possible through the generous donation of MR. VAHAN CHAMLIAN of Fresno.
Vahan Chamlian ( Armenian: Վահան Շամլեան, 1926 – August 11, 2022), [1] was an American-Armenian philanthropist and businessman, and the world's largest dealer of secondhand clothes. [2] [3] [4] [5]
Of Armenian descent, Vahan Chamlian emigrated from Lebanon to the United States in 1957, [4] arriving in the United States with just $20 in his pocket. [6] He eventually founded the company Chamlian Enterprises Inc., which became the world's largest dealer in secondhand clothes. [4] The company employs eight hundred workers in its Los Angeles, Fresno and San Lorenzo locations; [3] he has also opened a factory in Germany. [2] By 1996, Chamlian owned three sorting plants which grossed $78.6 million from the recycling and exporting of used clothing. [2] Some of Chamlian's suppliers include Salvation Army and Goodwill. [3] The largest demand for Chamlian's used clothing comes from Third World countries, in particular West African countries. [3] John, the nephew of Vahan Chamlian, who manages the operations in Los Angeles states the attention to detail is what "makes them the best". [3]
Vahan Chamlian married Anoush, who is also a philanthropist. [4]
He and his wife resided in Fresno, California. [4]
In 1975, Vahan Chamlian along with his wife Anoush raised funds to pay for all expenses for the establishment of an Armenian private school in Glendale, California. [4] [3] [7] The name of the school became Vahan & Anoush Chamlian. The school, located on Lowell Avenue, continues to function till this day. [7] Vahan Chamlian is noted to have taken "pride" in its establishment. [3]
He was a major contributor to the Armenia Fund, donating as much as $500,000 at a time. [6]
He was a donator of funds for the publication of Armenian related books. [8]
Chamlian met the former president of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. [3]
The publication of this book has been possible through the generous donation of MR. VAHAN CHAMLIAN of Fresno.