Products Hickies Lacing System Founded 2011 Type of business Private held company | Brands Hickies Headquarters New York City | |
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Founder Gaston Frydlewski and Mariquel Waingarten Area served North America, South America, Asia, Europe, Australia Owner Gaston Frydlewski and Mariquel Waingarten Profiles | ||
HICKIES, Inc is a footwear accessories company headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. It was founded in 2011 by Gaston Frydlweski and Mariquel Waingarten. Frydlewski currently serves as CEO and Waingarten as Chief marketing officer. Hickies produces a no-tie shoelace alternative which is currently sold in over 40 countries. The name HICKIES is from the cheeky term for a mark of affection. The founders believe the world needs more “marks of affection”, and they wanted to leave a mark of affection on everyone’s footwear.
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History
Hickies launched its first product with a Kick starter campaign in 2012 that raised $159,167 USD, six times more than the $25,000 goal. Following the Kick starter campaign, the company opened office in Brooklyn, New York and began production in Taiwan. After initial funding, Hydra Ventures, along with other investment funds, then invested $6.2 million USD in the company.
In October 2012, Brookstone introduced the product to the footwear market.
In 2015, Latin American apparel manufacturer and distributor Topper (sports) signed an agreement with Hickies. In Argentina and other South American countries, Topper (sports) handles the distribution and sales of Hickies Lacing System.
Products
HICKIES designs, produces and markets a product called the Hickies Lacing System. The lacing system replaces traditional shoelaces in footwear. The lacing system also helps people with impaired fine motor skills, such as cerebral palsy and autism wear shoes that require lacing.
Hickies laces are made from an plastic Elastomer and the head is fashioned from a Polycarbonate. Individual strap and head combinations are inserted into the shoe's eyelets in a number of pre-established lacing patterns in order to adjust the fit to the user.
Endorsements
Hickies products have been featured or worn by pro-golfer Danny Willett, Whoopi Goldberg, Chloë Grace Moretz, designer Diane von Fürstenberg. In May 2016, HICKIES signed golfer Danny Willett on a two-year endorsement deal that will include creation of a Danny Willett signature golf HICKIES Lacing System.