Type Private Founder Jacky Taranto | Industry Consumer Goods Headquarters New York, NY | |
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Founded 1969 in Toorak, Victoria, Australia Key people Norman Weisfeld, Bruce Weisfeld, Jimmy Khezri | ||
Coogi is a fashion label that produces colorful knitwear. Founded in 1969 as "Cuggi" in Toorak, Melbourne, Australia, the label was renamed in 1987. In addition to clothing, the company's 1992 international trademark filing registered the brand for cosmetics and toiletries, leather, furniture, textiles, and toys.
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History
Founded in 1969 as "Cuggi" in Toorak, Melbourne, Australia, the label was renamed in 1987 to sound more like an indigenous Australian name. The label was purchased by a joint US venture in New York City, Coogi Partners LLC, in 2002, and the brand grew from its core sweater line to a full apparel line, featuring patterns and designs reflective of the signature sweaters. The line expanded to women and children, including T-shirts, jeans, dress shirts, dresses, sweatshirts and matching sweat pants, footwear, handbags, outerwear, bathing suits, and underwear.
Relaunch
Coogi relaunched in 2014 with a focus on the authentic sweater for men, introducing new products and color treatments. According to the New York Times, the label is experiencing a resurgence. Fashion brands such as Rag & Bone, Pigalle, Burton and Supreme have been paying homage to Coogi.
In popular culture
The brand is referenced in the 1996 song "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G. in which he raps: "Every cutie wit a booty bought a Coogi".
We forgot about "One More Chance / Stay With Me (Remix)" which is the first mention.
"Heart throb never, Black and ugly as ever However, I stay Coogi down to the socks Rings and watch filled with rocks"
The brand is mentioned in the lyrics of the 2005 Kanye West song "Gone", in which he raps: "You sweat her and I ain't talkin 'bout a Coogi"
The brand is mentioned in the lyrics of the Hilltop Hoods song "Cosby Sweater," in which MC Suffa raps: "When I'm dressed like Theo's Dad, In a Coogi listening to Kool G Rap." The song makes reference to Biggie Smalls who was famously photographed wearing a Coogi sweater. The Australian musician explained in an August 2014 interview that he owns a collection of Coogi sweaters.
The brand is mentioned in the lyrics of the 2013 ASAP Ferg song "Work (Remix)" in which he raps: "Coogi down to the socks, like I'm Biggie Poppa", in reference to The Notorious B.I.G. being known for wearing Coogi.
In 2014, Christian hip-hop duo Social Club released the song "Coogi Sweater" in their album Misfits 2.
The brand is mistakenly called the “Cosby Sweater” though Bill Cosby never wore Coogi sweaters. The Cosby Show costume designer, Sarah Lemire, on Coogi “My sweaters were busy to a certain point, but it wasn’t to that extreme… I still can’t stand those.”