Champion, a brand known for its immense influence on streetwear culture, through its innovation in streetwear style and design. Is also known for creating the first hoodie ever, around 80 years ago. Champion has stayed on top of the streetwear game ever since then. Champion’s vision goes beyond style; it is about inspiring the youth and the streetwear enthusiasts, and creating a social community among them, keeping them engaged through social events and collaborations. Champion clothing rose to fame in the ‘80s and ‘90s, because of their association with NBA and NFL. They were the top most choice of the sports enthusiasts, who were looking for sportswear uniforms and casual wear, alike.
Champion became the official sportswear provider of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The original line of sweatshirts, sweat pants, athletic t-shirts, and shorts that they offer, all bear the iconic Champion “C” logo. Champion is a global athletic brand for athletes and active people. Most of the sportswear owners prefer Champion clothing.
Historical Background
Champion has played a major role in providing sports team uniforms to athletes, all over the world. In 1930s, Champion gained widespread popularity, when it signed a contract with the University of Michigan football team to produce their team uniforms. This partnership played a significant role in Champion’s expansion into the industry of athletic apparel, paving way for more collaborations.
Champion’s commitment to quality and functionality has helped it stay on the top, despite the emergence of many other athletic brands.
The First Ever Hoodie
Champion, originally known as Knickerbocker Knitting Company, invented the first sweatshirt or hoodie ever. In the 1930s. Champion designed a sweatshirt for athletes who wanted to wear it as a warm-up garment between practice sessions. The addition of the hoodie to the sweatshirt collection forever cemented Champion’s place in the sportswear and athletic wear industry. Champion hoodies come in a variety of styles, like the Classic Fleece, Reverse Weave, Soft Touch and the Campus French Terry hoodies.
The Birth of College Apparel
Champion’s partnership with Moe’s Sport Shop to introduce college sweatshirts and hoodies, and t-shirts with University of Michigan Badge. Initiated the collegiate apparel, the first ever hooded sweatshirt. This hoodie is known for being designed for practical reasons, as a warm-up or “sideline” garment for athletes to wear in between game time and practice sessions.
Champion’s Reverse Weave Sweatshirt
To get rid of the shrinking, that occurs as a result of continuous washing of the sports apparel, Champion invented the world’s first sweatshirt in 1938. The shirt is designed to prevent shrinkage, with a cut on the gross grain. The shirt was instantly picked up by the sports teams across USA. Champion invented this shirt in 1934, and applied for its patenting in 1938. The patent was eventually granted in 1938.
Champion Introduces New Physical Education Uniforms
To help boost low fitness levels in the USA, Champion introduced modern Physical Education uniforms, that set the benchmark for decades to come. This specific product line was of really high quality. It was the first to be certified by the American Institute of Laundering.
Champion Launches the Nylon Mesh Jersey
The Mesh Nylon jersey was first designed to keep up with the needs of football players. Struggling to fight the effects of heat exhaustion and trying to maintain performance. They were such a huge success, that Champion incorporated them into basketball too. The jerseys quickly became a benchmark for the industry, and were copied by many contemporaries in the industry.
Champion Produces Women Athletics
Champion transformed women athletic wear, by mixing and matching Physical Education uniforms. In the 70s and they have continued their commitment to producing fast-fashion Champion clothing for women, since then. They keep producing innovative products, to furnish the needs of the female sportswomen, including inventing and launching the sports bra.
Music Culture adopts Champion Style
In the late 80s and early 90s, Champion witnessed a sudden sharp rise in the adoption of the brand among celebrities and musicians. New York city is the hub for the music and the fashion industry. So much of the trend setting originates from here.
Champion and the NBA
Champion are the official uniform providers of all the 27 teams of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and they are responsible for supplying team unfirms to every USA Basketball team, from the years 1989-2001.
The re-launch of reverse weave
Champion marked the 60th anniversary of patenting the Reverse Weave Sweatshirt. By relaunching the Reverse Sweatshirt in 1952, but this time, they launched it across entire Europe.
Champion opens flagship store in London
Keeping up to the standards that any century old brand should, Champion has established itself as the leading player in the sport world and the fashion domain, with its first European store being launched in London’s iconic Soho district.
The Champion Hoodie Becomes an Icon
The first ever hoodie, the Reverse Weave Hoodie, was launch by Champion. This hoodie was exceptional and landed itself a place in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), as part of the exhibition, “Items: Is Fashion modern?”
Champion X Cloth Surgeon
Champion partnered with Cloth surgeon, to deliver an Ivy League-inspired apparel line, that redefines the collegiate trends of the 40s-60s. The collection offers classic products like varsity jackets, cardigans, letterman hoodies, and much more.
100 Years of Heritage
Champion celebrated its 100th birthday in style, connecting and celebrating with the most passionate and professional teams, across the globe. Champion keeps creating timeless classics, for the champions of the sports world.
Impact of the Aforementioned Factors
The factors mentioned above have helped Champion, in creating a strong impact on the streetwear culture and the streetwear enthusiasts. resulting in the youth and streetwear fanatics, following the brand with more passion than ever before. Champion has a huge fan base because the youth finds Champion attire relatable.
Champion’s Fast-fashion Approach
Champion is a renowned athletic apparel brand that produces trendy yet affordable clothes. Their prime purpose of existence, is to provide the latest streetwear trends to the streetwear enthusiasts, at affordable prices.
Focus on Streetwear and Nostalgia
Champion’s brand strategy revolves around the idea of making use of the popularity of streetwear fashion, and creating a feeling of nostalgia among the streetwear customers. The brand understands its customer base really well, and is therefore, able to target its audience accordingly. Champion’s sudden rise to fame among musicians, tech-heads, athletes, and other celebrities, in the 1990s, has played a major role in its revival, after a short laid-back era that they faced.
Conclusion
Champion has adeptly utilized social media and influencer marketing to enhance its brand presence. Collaborations with influencers like Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid, along with strategic social events, have solidified Champion’s position in the streetwear world. The brand’s understanding of its audience and effective marketing strategies have made it a leading force in the streetwear fashion industry.
Champion has efficiently harnessed the popularity of streetwear culture among the youth, to land itself a place as the leading fast-fashion streetwear producers of the world!