Vahan Chamlian
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]
Life and career
[edit | edit source]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]
Legacy and philanthropy
[edit | edit source]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]
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Vahan Chamlian, Benefactor of Eponymous Armenian School, Passes Away
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