Champion

More than 100 years ago, Champion set the standard for excellence in all hoodies because it was the inventor of the hoodie. In the 1930s, Champion designed and manufactured the competition hoodie, and to this day it remains an integral part of sport, style and culture. Champion is an authentic American sportswear brand with a rich heritage that has been designing stylish and comfortable solutions for workouts, colleges and the streets for almost a century.

The Champion brand and its history

1919 BIRTH OF CHAMPION In 1919 in Rochester, New York, three members of the Feinbloom family decided to start a new sportswear business. The company was founded on May 6, 1919 under the name Knickerbocker Knitting Mills.

1922-24 CHAMPION BROTHERS In 1922, brothers Bill and Abe Feinbloom inherited the company from Simon. They renamed it Champion Knitwear Mills, Inc. and registered as a joint-stock company on January 3, 1924. Abe soon entered into a partnership with Wentworth Military Academy to purchase Champion sweaters as part of the cadet uniform. They were so impressed with the quality that they asked Champion to produce uniforms for their teams. And those were the first teams to wear Champion.

1928 UNDERSTANDING THE ATHLET Champion approached coaches and athletes to determine their needs. Instead of selling products through retail stores, Champion established relationships with athletes and their coaches to get information on what products they need to achieve maximum results.

1930s CHAMPION INVENTED THE HOODIE In the 1930s, the hoodie was created thanks to the knowledge gained from sportsmen. Champion has designed and produced a hooded hoodie for use as a warm-up or "safety net" for athletes between games or training. The addition of a hood to the sweatshirt cemented the Champion Hoodie forever in sportswear and fashion history. Champion Hoodies are currently available in a variety of styles and materials such as Classic Fleece, Reverse Weave®, Powerblend®, Soft Touch and Campus French Terry.

1934 SCHOOL SPIRIT CHAMPIONS Bill Feinbloom developed a flocking process known as Champacraft that allowed graphic elements such as college emblems to be mass-produced on Champion® T-shirts at an affordable price. For the first time, fans could proudly display their school affiliation in the stands. After visiting Michigan, Abe formed a partnership with sporting goods store Moe's to sell college hoodies, sweatshirts, and University of Michigan T-shirts. This was the beginning of the college wear we know and pioneered the popularity of sportswear as an everyday fashion.

1938 REVERSE WEAVE® ATHLETIC T-SHIRTS STOP SHRINK Coaches have expressed concern about shrinkage when washing batches of sportswear. Champion responded to this by literally going against the grain by creating shrink-resistant garments. In 1938, the first Reverse Weave® T-shirts were created using an innovative manufacturing method: the fabric was turned 90 degrees and cut across the threads to prevent vertical shrinkage and maintain a perfect fit. Champion received the first patent for this production method and received T-shirts in 1938.

1952 SECOND PATENT FOR REVERSE WEAVE® T-SHIRTS

Champion has added mesh side panels to the sweatshirts and ribbed pant panels for increased mobility and comfort. Champion received a second patent for his Reverse Weave® sweatshirts in 1952. From the first patent in 1938 to the last patent in 1952, the iconic Reverse Weave® hoodies and sweatshirts have been worn and loved by generations for over 80 years.

1967 CHAMPION INTRODUCES MESH JERSEYS A true innovation in the sport, nylon mesh jerseys were designed for football players to combat overheating. They were so successful that Champion expanded their range of jerseys to cover basketball, track and field, lacrosse and other sports. With cooler, lighter ventilation, mesh jerseys, uniforms and apparel have become an integral part of sportswear for almost every sport.

1968 CHAMPION SUPPORTS WOMEN'S ATHLETES Champion changed women's sportswear with the introduction of the Lady Champion collection. It includes modern, compatible uniforms and sportswear for women's sports events. Having set the standard for physical education uniforms for decades, our commitment to supporting female athletes with innovative products is as strong as ever.

1977 THE ORIGINAL SPORTS BRA The first Jogbra® sports bra was invented by Lisa Lindahl, Hinda Miller and Polly Smith. Jogbra changed women's sport forever and went on to become part of Champion, with Hinda Miller holding several leadership roles. Today, the Champion Sports Bra Lab continues to test and develop innovative sports bras.

2017 CHAMPION - A RECOGNIZED ICON As a testament to Champion's rich sporting heritage and contribution to the fashion industry, the iconic Reverse Weave® hoodie was unveiled at "Items: Is Fashion Modern?" (Elements: Is It Fashionable?) at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). This exhibition showcased fashion items that had a significant impact on modern society. In 2018, the hoodie became part of the permanent MoMA collection.

2019-present MODERN COLLABORATIONS Champion continues to influence the fashion world through collaborations with brands such as Vetements, Supreme, Todd Snyder, Off White and more. Fusing the world of fashion with Champion's authentic American sports heritage, iconic pieces become a canvas of self-expression, inspiring everyone to be their own champion.

The history of the Champion shoe brand

The Champion footwear brand has a rich history stretching back over a century. Founded in 1919 in the USA, Champion began its journey as a manufacturer of sportswear and footwear designed for athletes and active people.

From the very beginning, Champion has stood out for the high quality of its products. The company sought to create reliable and functional products that could withstand intense physical exertion. Thanks to this, the brand quickly gained popularity among athletes and became the choice of many professionals.

In the 1930s, Champion became one of the leading sportswear suppliers to the National Football League (NFL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). The brand has also become a partner of many sporting events, which has contributed to its reputation and recognition.

However, the real breakthrough for Champion came in the 1970s, when streetwear and sportswear became popular trends. The brand quickly adapted to these changes and offered a wide range of trendy sportswear and footwear. Along with the classic sports sneakers, Champion also released other models, such as sneakers and boots, which became a symbol of style and comfort.

In the 1990s Champion became a true street fashion icon. Its laurel wreath logo has become a recognizable symbol of style and quality. Many celebrities and young people have chosen Champion shoes to express their individuality and emphasize their commitment to an active lifestyle.

In the 2000s, the Champion brand continued to evolve and expand its product line. The company not only offers shoes for sports and everyday life, but also creates collaborations with famous designers and fashion brands.

Champion shoes in N-SHOES