The company stores used to sell product assortments from brands such as DKNY, Michael Kors, Guess?, and Cole Haan.

[2] The company began as two separate leather apparel manufacturer-retailers: Berman Buckskin, founded in 1899, as Berman Brothers Fur, Wool and Hides founded by David, Ephraim and Alexander Berman,[3] and after World War II, reinvented as a fringed buckskin shirt and jacket retailer,[4] and Wilsons House of Suede, founded in late 1950 in Beverly Hills California by Jerry Wilson and known for its high fashion styles.

Directed by the three brothers Wilson Leather stores started opening in regional shopping centers throughout the country.

After Melville purchased Bermans from W. R. Grace and Company,[5] it merged the two retailers under the Wilsons Leather name in summer of 1986.

[2] The company refocused in 2003, reducing their product offerings and closing several dozen underperforming stores.