Izod

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the impact strength test, see Izod impact strength test.

Izod is a premium clothing company that produces dressy-casual clothing similar to brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Eddie Bauer and LL Bean. It is part of the Phillips-Van Heusen Company.

In the early 1900s, Vin Draddy, an American businessman started a men's apparel business and needed a strong name to associate with his quality merchandise. Vacationing in London, he encountered a tailor shop in London, Jack Izod's. Jack, a well-respected tailor who made custom shirts for King George V and other royalty, was ready to retire and accepted Vin's offer to purchase the rights to his distinctive name.

Izod is notable for it's pairing with the Lacoste shirt company from 1952-1993. While the shirts were equally Izod and Lacoste they became known and popularized as "Izod" shirts which leads to the common misnomer that the famous "Alligator" is in fact the the "Izod" trademark. The two companies ended its partnership in 1993 after disputing the manufacturing of future merchandise. Lacoste wanted the entire manufacturing process completed in France, while Izod wanted to design in France and manufacture in Asia. Lacoste continues to produce it's "Alligator" shirt, yet the Izod name is more recognizable. It should be noted in recent years both the Izod and Lacoste companies have manufactured shirts in Asia.

During the mid-90's Izod was acquired by the shirtmaker Van Heusen, known corporately as PVH. Advertised inside the PVH corporation now as a premium brand, Izod MSRP is priced slightly higher than Van Huesen and and below Geoffery Beene. In addition to its polo shirts Izod has designed a full range of essential formal suits, formal shirts and neckties, as well as casual and sports wear. Most of this range can be found in various department stores such as JC Penny and Macy's.

A former Continental Airlines Arena was renamed the Izod Center as of October 31, 2007, the 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.^[1]

[edit] References

^ "Fashionable New Name for Arena", The New York Times, October 5, 2007. Accessed October 11, 2007. "On Oct. 31, when the Nets open their season against the Chicago Bulls, the Meadow lands garena named for Continental Airlines for 12 years will be rechristened the Izod Center. Izod will pay $1.4 million a year in cash for the first two years of the five-year agreement, which will be cut to $750,000 annually in 2009 when the Nets are expected to move to Brooklyn."