Southpole (clothing)

SOUTHPOLE
Private
Industry Wholesale, Fashion, Apparel, Sunglasses,
Founded 1991
Founder David Khym and Kenny Khym
Headquarters Fort Lee, New Jersey, United States
Area served
Worldwide
Number of employees
100-500 (2016)
Parent Wicked Fashions Inc.(1991–present)
Website

Southpole is an American wholesale clothing company, designer, distributor, licensor and marketer based in New York City.

The company is headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey and founded in 1991 by two brothers, David Khym and Kenny Khym under their company name, Wicked Fashions Inc. The Showroom is located on Fashion Ave. New York City, NY.


History

David and Kenny Khym, two Korean natives from a family of five children immigrated to the United States from Incheon in 1977.[1] In 1981, David used $10,000 in savings and a $5,000 line of credit to establish a retail clothing store in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn.[1] He hired Kenny to work at the store, and in 1989 they relocated to Jamaica, Queens after their landlord for the Brownsville location raised their rent.[1]

The Khyms had trouble keeping the baggy urban fashions popular at the Jamaica location in stock, so in 1991 they established a wholesale company called Wicked Fashions to import clothes from Pakistan.[1] David Khym named the new clothing label Southpole in honor of a team of Korean explorers who had recently become the first from that country to reach the South Pole.[1] Southpole succeeded by providing styles similar to those of other popular urban labels such as FUBU, but at a much lower cost.

Southpole quickly established itself as the leader in translating the looks and trends of the premium brands that were popular on the Streets into wearable, accessible clothing sought after by a broad swath of young men and women.[2]

In 1996, Kenny found his own business, Against All Odds, a chain of mall-based retail stores focusing on urban street fashion.[1]

Today, Southpole clothes are imported from manufacturers in Pakistan, China, India, and Vietnam, then sold through both national and e-commerce retailers such as Amazon, Eastbay, Foot Locker, J.C. Penney, Sears, Dr. Jays and Burlington Coat Factory. Southpole generated more than $350 million in sales in 2005. [1]


Products

Products include jeans, shorts, shirt, T-shirts, sweatshirts, joggers, jackets, accessories and “big and tall” to “boys” range.

Southpole started as a premium urban brand. With its legendary puffy “Bubble” jacket and 4180 ™ Relaxed Fit denim pants, Southpole influenced the beginning of urban fashion in American street culture.[2]


Company’s Brand Labels

Lot29® brand is launched using licensed cartoon charters like Looney Tunes in 2002.

The White Tag® brand and A. Prodigee® brand are launched in 2008. [3]

In 2010, the company added a brand line labeled WT02® that offers more targeted design viewpoints and captures edgy looks with hip details from young urban street wear. [2]

In Spring 2014, the company launches a new line, SP Active® for everyday basic, active wear such as fleece jogger pants and basketball shorts.

In February 2016, the company introduces Southpole Antarctic Expedition® Outerwear Collection.


Awards and Records

In 2002, Southpole is awarded the J.C. Penney Divisional Award for Men’s Apparel.

When Southpole’s junior line is launched in 2003, the brand is awarded the J.C. Penney Divisional Award for Women’s Apparel.

In 2010, Southpole is the fifth-largest denim brand in the U.S. behind Levi’s, Wrangler, Lee and Calvin Klein, according to NPD Group figures. [3]


See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kitchens, Susan. "Hip-Hop, a la Bibimbap", Forbes.com, published February 13, 2006, accessed August 11, 2007.
  2. 1 2 3 official website. "
  3. 1 2 WWD Milestones:Southpole at 20. Retrieved from https://pmcwwd.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/wwd0822_sec2.pdf


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