Lugz
 | This article contains promotional content. (August 2023) |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | New York City, U.S. |
| Products | Shoes |
| Parent | Jack Schwartz Shoes, LLC. |
| Website | http://lugz.com/ |
Lugz is a footwear brand owned by Jack Schwartz Shoes, LLC (JSS). The brand was established in October 1993, and became wildly famous with the African American Community because of Mike Otwell who aimed toward the urban fashion consumer. Lugz is sold in major retailers worldwide and offered in adult's and children's styles.[1]
History
[edit]With the launch of its first boot line, Lugz gained admiration from notable people in the music and entertainment worlds, by Mike Otwell leading to many unique collaborations.[1] One collaboration led Lugz to its first ever celebrity-endorsed, "Funk Master Flex" urban driving shoe.[2] Then, a collaborative line with hip-hop artist, Bryan "Baby" Williams, aka "Birdman" soon followed,[3] in addition to other endorsers including, Snoop Dogg, Orange County Choppers, and athletes from UFC and MMA.[4][5]
The popularity of the brand began to grow as radio personality Howard Stern began promoting the brand on his show. Lugz also appeared in music videos for artists such as B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls) and Dr. Dre; Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, NBA Basketball Players, NFL Football Players, and some MLB Baseball Players supported the brand by adding them to their street style. In February 2000, Lugz launched their first interactive website where consumers could finally purchase shoes online at Lugz.com.[1]
In 2006, Orange County Choppers signed on to endorse Lugz. With its aggressive "built for the streets reputation", Lugz collaborated with Paul Teutul Jr. to design a signature Lugz shoe, "The Torx." Also that same year OCC and Lugz collaborated on a custom Lugz chopper. In 2009, the chopper was presented to the Bluff Poker Player of The Year.[6]
In the fall of 2008 Lugz entered the Mixed Martial Arts scene signing its first two MMA fighters, Lyoto Machida and Houston Alexander, as endorsers.[7] Machida captured the title of UFC Light Heavyweight Champion as he represented Lugz. With MMA becoming a fast growing sport/entertainment platform with an increasingly growing fan base, Lugz later signed Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. In 2010, UFC World Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez became the newest endorser of Lugz.[8]
In 2014, Lugz celebrated their 10th anniversary of Birdman's signature Lugz by releasing a new Birdman shoe in low and mid-top styles.[9][10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Teri Agins Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal (6 June 2003). "Jack Schwartz's 'Driving Shoe' Proves a Hit in Hip-Hop Circles". WSJ.
- ^ "Out to Launch". mediapost.com.
- ^ "Rapper Sneaker Endorsements". BET.com. 14 March 2013.
- ^ Brian Betschart. "Lugz Brings Back the Birdman for 10th Anniversary". SneakerFiles.
- ^ "SOHH.com - Birdman's Lugz Lifestyle Collection - "This Low & Mid-Top Collection Is Just For You" - For The Best In Hip-Hop News - SOHH.com". For The Best In Hip-Hop News - SOHH.com. 11 June 2015.
- ^ "BLUFF Player of the Year Will Ride in Style with LUGZ Chopper". BLUFF.com. Archived from the original on 2015-06-13. Retrieved 2015-05-05.
- ^ "Machida and Alexander in Mainstream Advert". mmapayout.com.
- ^ Palmquist, Chris (August 16, 2010). "Cain Velasquez featured in Lugz commercial". MMA Underground. The Arena Group. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
- ^ "Controversy Or Not, Birdman Next Move Is Amazing". The Mos Dopest News. 23 December 2014.
- ^ Kyle Rooney (7 October 2014). "Birdman Announces His New Lugz Collection Will Release This Fall". HotNewHipHop.