Izod
Encyclopedia
Izod is a clothing
company
that produces dressy-casual
clothing and sportswear for men and women, also including fragrances, and accessories. Similar to brands such as Gant U.S.A.
, Lacoste, and Polo Ralph Lauren
, it is part of the Phillips-Van Heusen Company, headquartered at 200 Madison Ave., New York City.
businessman employed by David Crystal Co., needed a strong name to associate with his quality merchandise for menswear. While vacationing with his family in London
, England
, he encountered Jack Izod's tailoring boutique. Izod (himself a well-respected tailor) produced bespoke shirts and created the Windsor tie-knot
for King George V
, but was ready to retire, and accepted Draddy's offer to purchase the rights to his distinctive name. The A.J. Izod of London clothing company was introduced to the USA in 1938.
, Bing Crosby
, and John F. Kennedy
, the shirts soon became popular with department stores. "Izod of London" became a brand known simply as "Izod Lacoste". While the shirts were equally Izod and Lacoste, they became abbreviated and popularized as "Izod" shirts (which led to the ongoing misunderstanding that the famous "Crocodile" is the "Izod" trademark.)
of 1980. The company also began to introduce other products into their line including shorts, perfume, optical and sunglasses, tennis shoes, deck shoes, walking shoes, watches, and various leather goods.
In 1977, Le Tigre Clothing was founded in an attempt to directly compete with Izod Lacoste in the US market, selling a similar array of apparel, but featuring a tiger in place of the signature Lacoste crocodile. Also, During this period Izod's parent, Crystal Brands fell under the management of General Mills, and also purchased the Gant U.S.A.
brand.
March 15, 2010, Izod's parent company PVH purchased the Tommy Hilfiger brand. There has been some speculation over the merging of both brands to increase exposure abroad.
polo shirt. Formerly featuring the Lacoste crocodile on the left breast of the shirt, now replaced with a color-matching/coordinating crest and left sleeve embroidery. One variation is the "IZ" patch instead of crest. This shirt, along with Ralph Lauren Polo, was a fashion core-piece in the 1970s and '80s with preppy
and Mod sets. Other Izod classics include the Harrington jacket
G-9 model, also v-neck & cardigan sweaters.
, United States
was renamed the IZOD CENTER as of October 31, 2007, the National Basketball Association
's New Jersey Nets
' season
opener. The company will pay $1.4 million per annum for the naming rights
during the first two years of the agreement, while the Nets are still tenants, which will drop to $750,000 per year for the balance of the five-year deal.
In 2009, Izod became the official apparel provider of the Indy Racing League's IndyCar Series
and Firestone Indy Lights Series. Izod produces t-shirts, polos, pullovers, hats, and umbrellas for league and team officials and the general public.
The relationship will expand in 2010 with Izod becoming the official title sponsor of the Izod IndyCar Series, a deal worth $10 million a year for 5 years.
Clothing
Clothing refers to any covering for the human body that is worn. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of nearly all human societies...
company
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
that produces dressy-casual
Smart casual
Smart casual is a loosely defined dress code, casual, yet "smart" enough to conform to the particular standards of certain Western social groups....
clothing and sportswear for men and women, also including fragrances, and accessories. Similar to brands such as Gant U.S.A.
Gant U.S.A.
GANT is a formerly Swedish but currently Swiss clothing brand of American heritage launched in New Haven in 1949. The brand has since then been further developed, being influenced by European styles, and is now a global clothing business...
, Lacoste, and Polo Ralph Lauren
Polo Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren Corporation is a luxury clothing and goods company of the American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Ralph Lauren specializes in high-end casual/semi-formal wear for men and women, as well as accessories, fragrances, home and housewares...
, it is part of the Phillips-Van Heusen Company, headquartered at 200 Madison Ave., New York City.
History
In the late 1930s, Vincent De Paul Draddy, an AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman employed by David Crystal Co., needed a strong name to associate with his quality merchandise for menswear. While vacationing with his family in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, he encountered Jack Izod's tailoring boutique. Izod (himself a well-respected tailor) produced bespoke shirts and created the Windsor tie-knot
Windsor knot
The Windsor knot, also referred to as a Full Windsor or as a Double Windsor to distinguish it from the half-Windsor, is a method of tying a necktie around one's neck and collar. The Windsor knot, compared to other methods, produces a wide symmetrical triangular knot. The knot is often thought to...
for King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
, but was ready to retire, and accepted Draddy's offer to purchase the rights to his distinctive name. The A.J. Izod of London clothing company was introduced to the USA in 1938.
1952–1993: Izod Lacoste Years
Izod of London would become most notable for its pairing with the Lacoste shirt company from 1952 to 1993. Vincent Draddy began to license the Lacoste shirt adding prestige to the Izod line, however he couldn't find a market for the then-expensive $8.00 retail price. After Vincent began giving the shirts away to his famous friends, Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
, Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
, and John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, the shirts soon became popular with department stores. "Izod of London" became a brand known simply as "Izod Lacoste". While the shirts were equally Izod and Lacoste, they became abbreviated and popularized as "Izod" shirts (which led to the ongoing misunderstanding that the famous "Crocodile" is the "Izod" trademark.)
Growth in the 1960s, 70s, 80s
In 1963, Bernard Lacoste took over the management of the company. Significant company growth was seen under Bernard's management. When he became president, around 300,000 Izod Lacoste products were sold annually. The Izod Lacoste brand reached its height of popularity in the US during the late 1970s and became the signature 1980s "preppy" wardrobe item, even getting mentioned in Lisa Birnbach's Official Preppy HandbookOfficial Preppy Handbook
The Official Preppy Handbook is a tongue-in-cheek humor reference guide written by Jonathan Roberts, Carol McD. Wallace, Mason Wiley, and Lisa Birnbach. It discusses an aspect of North American culture described as prepdom...
of 1980. The company also began to introduce other products into their line including shorts, perfume, optical and sunglasses, tennis shoes, deck shoes, walking shoes, watches, and various leather goods.
In 1977, Le Tigre Clothing was founded in an attempt to directly compete with Izod Lacoste in the US market, selling a similar array of apparel, but featuring a tiger in place of the signature Lacoste crocodile. Also, During this period Izod's parent, Crystal Brands fell under the management of General Mills, and also purchased the Gant U.S.A.
Gant U.S.A.
GANT is a formerly Swedish but currently Swiss clothing brand of American heritage launched in New Haven in 1949. The brand has since then been further developed, being influenced by European styles, and is now a global clothing business...
brand.
Different Directions
During the early 1990s, Izod Lacoste struggled to maintain the market dominance it had enjoyed in previous decades. The initial reaction from Crystal Brands was to separate the two names and target two groups of customers at once; "Izod" was re-introduced as moderate pricepoint apparel in department stores, while Lacoste was renamed "Lacoste Chemise", and re-positioned as a luxury lifestyle brand. Eventually this tactic did not provide the financial gain Crystal had hoped and the license partnering ended in 1993. Sportloisirs S.A purchased the Lacoste brand entirely in 1993, while Izod was sold to Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation in 1995.PVH IZOD
PVH repositioned and restored some of Izod's previous relevance while introducing a number of products lines and brands. Complete with an Izod "crest" logo, or patch. In addition to its sportswear, Izod designs a full range of suits, shirts, neckties, shoes, outerwear and fragrances, and continues to produce its famous polo shirts. Currently, within the PVH corp. the Izod branded shirt has become part of the biggest shirt company in the USA.March 15, 2010, Izod's parent company PVH purchased the Tommy Hilfiger brand. There has been some speculation over the merging of both brands to increase exposure abroad.
IZOD Essential
Perhaps the best known and remembered piece for the Izod line is the short-sleeved PiquéPique
Piqué, or marcella, refers to a weaving style, normally used with cotton yarn, which is characterized by raised parallel cords or fine ribbing. Twilled cotton and corded cotton are close relatives....
polo shirt. Formerly featuring the Lacoste crocodile on the left breast of the shirt, now replaced with a color-matching/coordinating crest and left sleeve embroidery. One variation is the "IZ" patch instead of crest. This shirt, along with Ralph Lauren Polo, was a fashion core-piece in the 1970s and '80s with preppy
Preppy
Preppy, preppie, or prep refers to a modern, widespread United States clique, often considered a subculture...
and Mod sets. Other Izod classics include the Harrington jacket
Harrington jacket
A Harrington jacket is a lightweight waist-length jacket, made of cotton, polyester, wool or suede — usually with traditionally Fraser tartan or check-patterned lining....
G-9 model, also v-neck & cardigan sweaters.
Brands
Since Izod's first brand, Izod, was launched in 1938, it grown considerably to include a variety of essential and luxury brands. They include:Clothing for men and women
- Izod Classix: Izod's brand for men and women, and also the most widely available. Izod with a 'blue label' spans from tailored clothing, sportswearSportswearSportswear or activewear is clothing, including footwear, worn for sport or physical exercise. Sport-specific clothing is worn for most sports and physical exercise, for practical, comfort or safety reasons....
, fragrance, to leather goods. Available at many department and as well as Izod outlet stores. - Izod Luxury Sports: Izod's 'red label' premium sportswear brand for men, with premium fabrics and finer attention to detail; such as name embroidery. As with the 'blue label' Luxury Sports spans from tailored clothing, sportswearSportswearSportswear or activewear is clothing, including footwear, worn for sport or physical exercise. Sport-specific clothing is worn for most sports and physical exercise, for practical, comfort or safety reasons....
, accessories, to leather goods. Available exclusively at premium department stores. - Izod Jeans: Denim basics and weekend sportswear from the Izod line, offered at some department stores.
- Izod PerformX: A high-tech sports collection aimed at winter sport gear, golfers, swimming, and IndyCar. Often featuring lightweight microfibers and super pima cottons.
Sports Sponsorship
The former Continental Airlines Arena, in New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
was renamed the IZOD CENTER as of October 31, 2007, the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
' season
2007-08 NBA season
The 2007–08 NBA season was the 62nd season of the National Basketball Association. The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 30, 2007, and ended on Wednesday, April 16, 2008...
opener. The company will pay $1.4 million per annum for the naming rights
Naming rights
In the private sector, naming rights are a financial transaction whereby a corporation or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, typically for a defined period of time. For properties like a multi-purpose arena, performing arts venue or an athletic field, the term ranges from three...
during the first two years of the agreement, while the Nets are still tenants, which will drop to $750,000 per year for the balance of the five-year deal.
In 2009, Izod became the official apparel provider of the Indy Racing League's IndyCar Series
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
and Firestone Indy Lights Series. Izod produces t-shirts, polos, pullovers, hats, and umbrellas for league and team officials and the general public.
The relationship will expand in 2010 with Izod becoming the official title sponsor of the Izod IndyCar Series, a deal worth $10 million a year for 5 years.