28 Nov 2009 - Original Penguin the Brand
It may come as a surprise, but an Original Penguin started its life in the 1950s as a Minneapolis based underwear and military supply company, named Munsingwear. However, in 1955, Munsingwear launched their now iconic golf shirt, which was to take Middle America by storm. A salesman for the company happened upon a taxidermist whilst in New York and in a moment of revelry, purchased a stuffed penguin. Little did he know the stuffed penguin he jovially named ‘Pete’ would come to be such an iconic logo, recognised throughout the World.
Indeed, Pete the penguin soon became the company’s lucky mascot and logo of their increasingly popular golf shirts. Yet, the company not only gained popularity through their nifty branding strategies; their innovative designs meant Original Penguin was leading the way with the latest technologies in sportswear too. In fact, the golf shirt that founded the brand was the first golf shirt to feature an ‘action gusset’ under the arms of the shirt in order to avoid rips during even the most zealous golf swing. From this moment on, Original Penguin had made a name for itself as a leader in stylish and functional sportswear. The brand was loved by ‘toffish’ suburban Americans and celebrities alike, remaining a first choice for many golfers well into the 1980s.
In 2003, the brand was re-launched to the delight of fashionistas worldwide. Spurred on by the vogue for all things retro, trendsetters began scouring vintage outlets for old Original Penguin golf shirts. Former merchandising manager for Urban Outfitters, Chris Klobe, spotted this growing underground trend and approached Perry Ellis to rebrand Original Penguin as a 21st century label.
Now a prospering street-wear label with its tongue firmly stuck in its cheek, Original Penguin is loved by fashionistas who thrive on the irony of its styles.
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