Today, the sporting shoe industry is dominated by shoe companies that just make shoes. Shoes for boating, running, cross training, golf, football and the like are all in the domain of sportswear brands. But during the early 20th century, a key element to sporty shoes was the rubber that wasMORE HERE
A BrandlandUSA reader asked about the history of America’s Number One Heel. The heel brand was O’Sullivan; it was the invention of Humphrey O’Sullivan, of Lowell, Mass., in 1896. O’Sullivan attached pieces of rubber to his shoes to ease leg fatigue. From then on, consumers have sought tech solutions toMORE HERE
OAKLAND, Calif. – Courtsmith, the sports uniform brand founded by Courtney “Court” Smith, has won a $300,000 investment from ICA, a non-profit that supports investments in companies to “close the racial and gender wealth gaps” with a vision of creating an economy that works for all. Smith began by sellingMORE HERE
MILAN and GREENWICH, Conn., July 18, 2021 – Etro, the global luxury fashion house, announced on July 18, 2021 that it well sell a majority stake in the company to L Catterton, the private equity firm. Under the terms of the agreement, the Etro family will remain a minority shareholder withMORE HERE
MIAMI – The Miami shirt maker Ramon Puig Guayaberas “La Casa de la Guayabera,” has reopened after closing during the Covid pandemic. The 77-year-old brand, located on historic Eighth Street, or “Calle Ocho”, closed in August 2020, but has reopened on the same street. The guayabera is a button downMORE HERE
NASHVILLE – Workwear Outfitters, formerly known as VF Workwear, is now part of Redwood Capital Investments LLC. Workwear Outfitters is a supplier of work apparel and footwear employing more than 5,800 people in facilities spanning the globe. Brands under the Workwear Outfitters umbrella include Red Kap (c. 1923), Bulwark (1990), andMORE HERE
LONDON – The news that the Marks & Spencer Group Plc of the U.K. purchased (or perhaps rescued) the fashion brand Jaeger for a reported meager £5 million pounds is the result of a changing retail market that has put thousands of retailers out of business worldwide. For over 100MORE HERE
LOS ANGELES – The brand-licensing agency Global Icons is now representing the fashion brand Camp Beverly Hills. Originally launched in 1977, the first store was located off Rodeo Drive. Throughout the 1980s, the brand expanded and was sold in major department and specialty stores nationwide. At its height, Camp BeverlyMORE HERE
The historic U.S. watch brand Benrus has a new owner, and a new lease on life, after a failed revival by a Rhode Island entrepreneur. Investor Michael Sweeney, assisted by former Bulova exec Michael Goeller, is reviving the brand, which was founded in 1921. The current effort follows the unsuccessfulMORE HERE
SARASOTA – The brand Jack Tar Togs, which helped to popularize the sailor suit for American youths and women for most of the 20th century, has returned. The brand was originally marketed to youth and schools, and well known in school and women’s uniforms. The company’s signature garment was theMORE HERE