Brand management company Iconix International is acquiring the celebrity favourite streetwear brand, Hoodrich, in partnership with founder Jay Williams, who will retain an ownership interest.
Hoodrich has established itself as a leading lifestyle streetwear brand with over 1,000 retail outlets across 24 countries and a DTC e-comm business.
The partnership of Iconix and Jay is based on a shared vision that the brand is poised to accelerate its already rapid growth profile by taking the brand global. In conjunction with this acquisition, Iconix will be working in close partnership with Batra Group, which will assume business operations, and JD Sports, as a key global retail partner.
Launched in 2014, the Hoodrich brand began with Jay selling his first 30 t-shirts from the boot of his car. Fast forward to 2022, and the brand was approached by Netflix to work with Top Boy on an exclusive collection celebrating season two of the show.
Iconix will now be looking to leverage its expansive network of licensees to take Hoodrich into new markets and product categories. Headquarters will remain in Birmingham and Watford.
“We are excited about the incredible opportunity to grow Hoodrich with this outstanding group of best in class partners,” commented Bob Galvin, ceo at Iconix International. “The brand is extremely well positioned to capitalise on the growing demand for lifestyle streetwear with an authentic brand story. We are committed to bringing this high-quality brand to an even bigger global audience and to expand on Jay’s commendable journey so that Hoodrich continues to be not just something, but something great.”
Jay Williams, founder of Hoodrich, continued: “I’m really excited about the future of Hoodrich and can’t wait to grow the brand internationally. I think this is the perfect partnership for Hoodrich and I’m looking forward to working alongside Iconix and Batra, who will be a major support system for the global growth of the brand.”
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