Addict

BRAND HISTORY ADDICT

Addict ® remains an independently designer owned and led company producing all its clothing and patterns in-house, focusing on product development and letting the brand evolve naturally rather than bending to fit in with fashion. Outside assistance comes from a handful of the UK’s most influential designers, typographers and artists. Swifty, She One, Mr Jago, C-Law are all regular contributors and have supplied the brands past and present bespoke camouflage patterns as well as graphics for tees. Next seasons premiere Addict ® piece is the fully technical She Camo III™ SOFTswitch™ Jacket. A fully taped seamed waterproof shell jacket with a SOFTswitch™ on the left sleeve that can operate an enabled I-POD within an MP3 device inside pocket available at Schindler stockport greater manchester.

Adidas Originals Clothing

BRAND HISTORY ADIDAS ORIGINALS CLOTHING

Adi Dassler Founded his sports footwear company, Adidas, in the 1920's. His dream to make the best sports shoes in the world was realised over the coming years, and of course matching aparel followed. Freizeit casual wear, football training kits, Stan Smith's tennis shorts, Japaneese workwear, Adidas have made it all.

Adidas Originals looks back on its rich history, and draws from its impressive archive of ranges to bring back classic styles each season available at Schindler stockport greater manchester.

Adidas Originals Footwear

BRAND HISTORY ADIDAS ORIGINALS FOOTWEAR

A company founded by Adi Dassler and his dreams to make the best sports shoes possible. Founded in the 1920's, Adidas continues over 80 years later to produce some of the best shoes and apparel around. There have been too many classic styles over the years to fully list, from the Gazelle, Forrest Hill, Superstar, Harvard, Munchen, Handball, to the ZX running ranges. Adi Dassler's footwear is loved equally in the clubs, on the terraces, and on the streets.

Aertex

BRAND HISTORY AERTEX

Back in the late 1800s, Lewis Haslam, a Lancashire mill owner and politician, recalled an observation he had heard from an elderly aunt. He discussed this with two medical colleagues, the apparent contradictory nature of 'holes' and 'warmth'. They began experimenting with 'aeration', a method of trapping air within the weave of a fabric. They soon began to recognise the health values of heat and moisture, creating a fabric which provided a buffer between the warmth of the skin and the chill of the atmosphere. By chance they had stumbled upon an idea which would change the way clothes were regarded. These, they reasoned would be clothes that were healthy to wear

Ambiguous

BRAND HISTORY AMBIGUOUS

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Casual Connoisseur

BRAND HISTORY CASUAL CONNOISSEUR

Casual Connoisseur have built up a nice collection of T-shirts over the last 16 months. They do a range of football casual inspired tee designs such as our unique exclusive 'subbuteo-casuals' designs as well as iconic terrace clothing and culture tees.

In addition to football themed designs, they have built up a range of popular culture themed tees which include homages to our favourite 'Cult Films and TV' designs which feature our own cult heroes!available at Schindler stockport greater manchester.

Kway

BRAND HISTORY KWAY

The brand K-WAY was born one rainy day in Paris in 1965 with the creation of first windbreaker. Made of nylon and perfectly waterproof it could be folded away into a small pocket and then tied around the waist - the contemporary banana pocket. In 1970 the brand extended its protection concept also to active leisure's, marking the beginning of seasonal clothing. In January 1992, a fire devastated the headquarters, destroying all records, products and files leaving only ashes but an indestructible fighting spirit which helped the company to survive and go on to become the official supplier for the 1992 Winter Olympic Games in Albertville! As of 2004 the brand K-WAY belongs to the Basic Net Group.

Le Tigre

BRAND HISTORY LE TIGRE

The history of Le Tigre is a long and storied tale of a classic American brand that is finally receiving the revival it has earned. Throughout it’s history, from conception to re-launch, the brand represents an American classic that will continue to maintain the contemporary styling, attention to detail, and enduring attitude that has resonated with consumers for over two decades.

Originally launched by Campus Sportswear in 1977 and conceived by Bob Rush, Le Tigre began a steady rise to becoming the pre-eminent polo shirt brand in America. From its inception, Le Tigre began as a men’s/young men’s polo shirt company distributed primarily in specialty stores throughout the country. After establishing a track record that included powerful results at retail, consistently outselling numerous contemporaries, Le Tigre entered the major marketplace, launching in department stores and specialty chains nationwide available at Schindler stockport greater manchester.

Lee Jeans

BRAND HISTORY LEE JEANS

In 1889 PaulDavid Lee founded the H.D Lee mercantile Company in Kansas. Motivated by the inconsistent quality of foreign workwear Lee aimed to create quality American garments.

In 1911, H.D Lee designed the Lee overall. The first model was named the Lee Bib Overall. Made in 8 ounce denim, it sported a multi-functional breast pocket and a button fly. While also producing jackets and dungarees, Lee didn't become an important factor in its industry until 1913 when it conceived the Union-All.

Levi's Vintage

BRAND HISTORY LEVI'S VINTAGE

Levi Strauss along with his business partner Jacob Davis developed and patented the riveted work pant which developed into the original blue jean back in the 1800's. First produced as a hard wearing work wear garment, Levi Strauss' jeans were used by everyone from the original lumber jack, to miners and cowboys. In the 50's and 60's the jeans gained iconic fashion status through TV and Film stars and became a symbol of freedom and American Youth Culture. Levi's Vintage collection looks back at this rich history to recreate classic style from the archives.

Lyle & Scott

BRAND HISTORY LYLE & SCOTT

From there original home in the Scottish Borders' town of Hawick, Lyle & Scott has built a reputation as a high quality brand with a 130 year history in the design and manufacture of authentic Scottish knitwear handled with the hereditary skills of generations of fine craftsmen and women.

There products are found in some of the leading retail outlets throughout the world and are clearly recognisable by there trademark golden Eagle logo available at Schindler stockport greater manchester north west.

There authentic foundation in casualwear began by clothing some of the world's greatest sports personalities and the dressing of prestigious tournaments since the sixties.

This history plus the design team's unique skills makes Lyle & Scott a brand leader in the production of fit-for-purpose fashion led ranges.

Mhi By Maharishi

BRAND HISTORY MHI BY MAHARISHI

MHI by maharishi was launched in 2001, with strong graphics and themes, MHI has etched a distinct identity, while maintaining the same level of quality and detailing that maharishi is famous for available at Schindler stockport greater manchester.

Autumn / Winter 2007, the collection delves into the anatomy of resistance, examining ideological battlegrounds throughout history. The phrase ‘Resistance is Persistance’ defines the attitude and virtue of those involved in the fight for social and political justice.

Nike Clothing

BRAND HISTORY NIKE CLOTHING

Originally formed as Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS) in 1964, Nike (meaning Greek goddess of victory) is now the largest sportswear and fitness company in the world. Having changed it's name to Nike in 1972, it continues to deliver both premium sports and fashion footwear to the masses.

The re-issue of classics such as the Air Max 1, Dunk, and Court Force in a plethora of colours maintains Nike's appeal to both young and old. Combine these with new releases such as the Air Max 360 and Sophnet Free Trail 5.0 and you can guarantee Nike will be at the forefront of footwear innovation for the foreseeable future available at Schindler stockport greater manchester north west.

Nike Footwear

BRAND HISTORY NIKE FOOTWEAR

Originally formed as Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS) in 1964, Nike (meaning Greek goddess of victory) is now the largest sportswear and fitness company in the world. Having changed it's name to Nike in 1972, it continues to deliver both premium sports and fashion footwear to the masses. The re-issue of classics such as the Air Max 1, Dunk, and Court Force in a plethora of colours maintains Nike's appeal to both young and old. Combine these with new releases such as the Air Max 360 and Sophnet Free Trail 5.0 and you can guarantee Nike will be at the forefront of footwear innovation for the foreseeable future.

Obey

BRAND HISTORY OBEY

Shepard Fairey sheds some light on OBEY Clothing...

Why would I do an Obey clothing line? Well, for those who don't know, I have made Giant/Obey T-shirts since 1989. I never considered tees to be a conceptual conflict with the Obey Giant street art campaign. Even though Obey has existed for the last 13 years primarily as a street art project, I’ve always been more interested in how my art and ideas can be disseminated than in adhering to the meaningless criteria of what the “fine art” world deems art should be. As a populist, I’ve always wanted my art to be accessible and I’ve looked at fashion as an incredibly influential facet of pop culture, and at the tee shirt as a utilitarian canvas.

When the team that is now Obey Clothing first got together for a top secret strategy meeting, in a bunker, in a hidden location, a hundred feet below the earth’s surface, safe from government surveillance and corporate espionage, the question was posed, “Shepard, how would you describe the essence of the Obey Clothing line we are putting together?” My response was, and my mantra continues to be, “Intelligently irreverent…the direction where Punk Rock should have evolved.” The Obey clothing line is the logical extension of my street art campaign and a reflection of my personality. The line embodies my graphic design style, my sense of humor, my “question everything” politics, and my “basics with a twist” fashion sense. I enjoy the challenge of translating my ideas into a clothing line and potentially reaching a new audience. There is an opportunity with clothing to be creative on many levels, which is a refreshing departure from the constraints of the rectangular poster. The Obey line is also a great vehicle to foster collaborations with artists and designers that I admire. Whether I am working artistically with someone like graffiti legend, Zephyr, or receiving the honor of having Ozzy Osborne or the Misfits endorse a tribute graphic, Obey is about creating a clothing line with substance and integrity that represents the culture and defiant ideas from which I came and continue to perpetuate. I look at it this way, we all have to get up everyday and put something on, so why not mix powerful graphics, provocative ideas, mischief, humor, and style, and have a great time doing it? I wear whatever I want, and listen to whatever I want, everyday. This line is intended for people who identify with the same spirit of independence.

Shepard Fairey, 2003

Reebok

BRAND HISTORY REEBOK

The Reebok shoe company is like a streaky jump shooter; when they are hot they are hot, but when they are not nobody is interested. This has been a way of life for the Reebok brand since its inception. They wow the sneaker industry one year, just to turn around and lay an egg the next.


The Reebok brand got its beginnings back in 1958 when it branched out as a sister company to JW Foster and Sons. Beginning in 1895, JW Foster and Sons started to manufacture shoes and sell them all over the United Kingdom. Even though they never garnered much attention, they were successful enough to be worn by the athletes in the 1924 Summer Olympics.

Then in 1958, Foster’s grandsons decided to branch out to form a new company which they would call Reebok. They picked the name Reebok, which means African Gazelle, because they wanted to depict speed, style, and grace. Even though the company was selling the shoes at a decent rate in the United Kingdom, they were still having a hard time getting the shoes noticed on a world wide scale.

But in 1979 this would all change. At the Chicago International sneaker trade show, Paul Fireman took notice of the Reebok brand. At the time, Fireman was working for an outdoor sporting goods distributor, and immediately saw great potential in the Reebok brand. He was drawn in by the customization of each shoe, as well as the high quality. Fireman felt that those two qualities alone would make this brand a hit with the North American population. Without wasting anytime, Fireman negotiated a deal to license and distributes the Reebok brand in the United States; it was at this time that Reebok USA was born.

That same year, Fireman introduced three running shoes to the market. He had so much confidence in the product that he priced the shoe at $60 which made it the highest priced offering on the market. By 1981, Reebok USA had exceeded $1.5 million in sales; and this was all done by selling simple track shoes.

In 1982, the company made a move that took the sneaker industry by surprise, and sent sales through the roof. Reebok introduced the first athletic shoe for women. This move helped Reebok grab the majority of the market share in the early 1980’s


Then in 1989, Reebok introduced the Pump to the basketball world. These shoes were designed specifically with basketball in mind. The shoe used an air bladder which could be inflated by a small pump that was located on the tongue of the shoe. The pump was in the shape of a basketball, and when pushed it would inflate the bladder so that the shoe would conform tightly around the ankle. This shoe was designed to take on the “Nike Air”, and debuted with a sticker price of $170; nearly double the price of other basketball shoes. But despite the huge price difference Reebok had a hit. Over a four year period they sold over 20 million pairs worldwide.





These enormous sales numbers were aided by Boston Celtic rookie Dee Brown in the 1991 All-Star weekend Slam Dunk contest. Brown came out for the competition sporting the black, white, and orange Pumps. In a moment that will forever be remembered by basketball fans, before Brown took off for his final dunk he leaned over and pumped up his Reeboks. After throwing down the contest clinching dunk (covering his eyes with his arm) he bent forward and deflated his pumps. The crowd went wild, and the Reebok Pumps gained instant notoriety as kids everywhere felt like this sneaker could take their game to the game level.


But just as quickly as it took off, the Pumps began to fade out of the public eye. This left Reebok without a number one seller, and scrambling for another big break through.

As sales continued to decline throughout the 90’s, Reebok was looking for a way to regain a share of the market that was being dominated by Nike. After numerous efforts failed to produce results, Reebok decided to look for endorsements as a way to increase brand awareness.

In 1996, they pegged NBA newcomer Allen Iverson as a target. From 1996 to 2000, Iverson and Reebok had a lot of success promoting the brand both on and off the court. With Iverson quickly becoming an NBA superstar, his shoe which was known as “The Answer” was selling at a fast pace and helping to bring Reebok back to the forefront of the industry. In 2001, Reebok made a huge commitment to Iverson by signing him to a life long contract which guarantees that he sports the brand until his days in the NBA are over.

Then in 2005, during NBA All-Star weekend Reebok introduced the new ATR (Above the Rim) Pump. This shoe is based off of the same technology as the original Pump, but this time the pump is located on the outer ankle of the shoe. It again allows for the athlete to get a perfect fit. During the 2005 All-Star game, NBA superstars Allen Iverson and Yao Ming showcased the ATR Pump to the world. This gave the industry their first look at the new Pump in action. In addition to Iverson and Ming, superstars Steve Francis, Baron Davis, and Jerome Williams are also wearing the new Pumps.

Shortly after the new ATR Pump debuted, Reebok was shook up once again. They were bought out by Germany’s Adidas-Salomon for $3.78 billion. The reason for this merger is quite clear to everyone in the sneaker industry. Reebok and Adidas were constantly dueling it out for second place behind sneaker giant Nike. They feel that by joining forces, they may be able to overthrow Nike and become the number one sneaker manufacturer in the world. But they still have a long way to go before this comes to fruition. In 2004, Nike had approximately 36% market share in the United States shoe industry; where as Adidas and Reebok combined for about 21%.

With Reebok joining hands with Adidas, they are looking to regain the popularity that they experienced in the early 90’s. By continuing to build and market products around NBA superstars, Reebok kicks will soon again be popular among ballers all over the world.

Springcourt

BRAND HISTORY SPRINGCOURT

Unknown to some, legendary to others..originally a simple tennis court shoe, now a trendy trainer!!! For the men a lo cut pump produced in several different colours, canvases and leathers.

Victorinox

BRAND HISTORY VICTORINOX

1884 Following his apprenticeship in Paris and in Tuttlingen in South Germany, Karl Elsener opens his own cutler's business in Ibach-Schwyz. The energy for the grinding and polishing machines is supplied by a waterwheel driven by the Tobelbach brook.

1891 The Swiss Army is supplied with soldiers' knives for the first time.

1897 On June 12, the Swiss Officer's and Sports Knife is patented.


1909 To distinguish his knives from copies, the company founder decides to use the cross and shield, today's Victorinox emblem, on all pocket knives from this date on.

1909 After the death of his mother, the company founder chooses her first name "Victoria" as the company name.

1921 Stainless steel is invented (also known as "inox"). The new brand name "Victorinox" is produced by combining "inox" with the name "Victoria".

1931 The company Brown Boveri sets up the world's first fully electric hardening stove at Victorinox.


1945 After the Second World War, the PX shops of the US Army, Marines and Air Force sell the "Swiss Officer's Knife" in large quantities to their officers and soldiers. The Americans call it the "Swiss Army Knife" for short, a term that has stuck in all English-speaking regions.

1969 Part of household and professional knife production is housed in a new five-storey building.

1980 The largest expansion project so far increases the size of the production, office and storage areas from 11,000 to 27,000 m². A workforce of 730 achieves sales of over CHF 65 million.

1989 The launch of Swiss Army watches in America is highly successful.

1992 The company opens the first of its own sales offices in Japan. In the years that follow, further subsidiaries are founded in Mexico, Brazil, Poland, Hong Kong/China, Vietnam and Chile.

1999 To strengthen the Victorinox brand and broaden its appeal, a range of luggage is developed. This is manufactured under license and following strict quality regulations.

1999 The founding of Victorinox Watch SA in Bonfol expands the watch division.

2000 The Victorinox Foundation is established. Its aim is to secure jobs for the long term and maintain financial independence.

2001 A leisure and business clothing collection is developed for the North American market. Offering the same high quality standards as the "Swiss Army Knife", it meets with considerable acclaim.

2001 All five Victorinox product categories – pocket tools, household and professional knives, watches, luggage and clothing – are presented together for the first time in a flagship store in Soho, New York.

2002 Victorinox becomes sole shareholder of Swiss Army Brands Inc. in the USA. Its sales therefore exceed CHF 400 million for the first time.

2005 The takeover of Wenger SA, Delémont in the Jura region, knife manufacturer since 1893 and also a supplier of the Swiss army, is intended to secure the ongoing further development of the "Swiss Army Knife" and the future of its Swiss-based production.

2006 Relocation of Watch factory to Porrentruy

2007 Repositioning of Victorinox Swiss Army Fragrance with Victorinox Emblem

Wesc

BRAND HISTORY WESC

WESC