British Knights
United States
British Knights is a sneaker brand founded in 1983 in New York City by Jack Schwartz Shoes Inc. It also made t-shirts, hoodies and caps.
| Founded | 1983, New York City |
|---|---|
| Originator | Jack Schwartz Shoes Inc. |
| Products | Sneakers, t-shirts, hoodies, caps |
| Revival | 2014 as British Knights N.A. |
What is British Knights?
British Knights is a casual footwear brand launched in 1983 by Jack Schwartz Shoes Inc. in New York City. It is best known for sneakers, with t-shirts, hoodies and caps as secondary products.
History
The brand was a presence in 1980s hip hop culture, and a Kool Moe Dee campaign is documented as one of the earliest sneaker campaigns in the genre. In 1998 the trademarks were sold to a European company. Wikipedia says British Knights EU, now owned by the Dutch company Achten Fashion Group, is not connected to the original American brand.
The brand was revived in 2014 as British Knights N.A. Wikipedia states that it is run from the Jack Schwartz Shoes office in New York City by the original family, a claim marked there as needing a citation.
Why it matters
British Knights illustrates how a heritage footwear label can split across regions through trademark sales, leaving separate owners in separate markets. Readers should check which entity operates in their market.
Frequently asked questions
Where is British Knights from?
British Knights is from New York City in the United States.
When was British Knights founded?
British Knights was launched in 1983 as a casual shoe brand.