It was founded by Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala in 2005 and is currently owned by Yehuda Shmidman.

[1] The brand has had partnerships with designers such as Johan and Marcella Lindeberg[2] as well as retailers such as Target.

[3][4][5] William Rast was founded by Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala in 2005 as a denim line.

[6][7] William Rast sponsored the #98 Bryan Herta Autosport / Curb-Agajanian Performance Group IndyCar of Dan Wheldon which won the 2011 Indianapolis 500.

[8] In November 2021, as part of a bankruptcy, WHP Global, owned by Yehuda Shmidman, acquired the company.