There are very few surf brands in history that have achieved the status of Stussy.
Since the brands inception in the early 80’s, as a logo for Shawn Stussy’s homemade surfboards, it has followed a path unlike any other surf brand I can think of.
Surf wear is usually exclusively worn by surfers. Stussy bucked the trend and throughout the 80s, 90s and 00s the iconic, graffiti influenced scrawled logo was embraced by skaters, hip hop musicians, punks, and other urban subcultures.
Stussy crossed boundaries between underground, youth dominated scenes. Limited production and distribution only served to increase the mystic and demand for the garments. The fact that Stussy clothing appeared on numerous cross culture magazine covers is testament to how far it became imbedded in the fashion industry.
To this day, image conscious people keep an eye out for the Stussy logo, looking to purchase new premium clothing from the latest catalog, or alternatively expensive vintage pieces from specialist shops.
Table of Contents
History of Stussy
When was the company founded?
Stussy was founded in the 1980s.
Where was it founded?
Stussy was founded in Laguna Beach, California USA.
Who were the founders?
Shawn Stussy is the founder of the company.
Why was it founded?
Stussy was created due to the surfwear trend originating in Orange County, California.
Important milestones in the company’s history
- 1984: Stussy and his friend, Frank Sinatra Jr. (no relation to the singer), partnered to sell the apparel
- 1988-1990: The company expanded in to Europe, opened a boutique in SoHo New York, and unveiled multiple other locations throughout the early 90s.
- 1991: Revenues reached $17 million
- 1996: Stussy resigned as president and Sinatra bought out his share of the company holdings, with the Sinatra family still owning the brand as of 2017.
- 2020: Matthew M. Williams announced a new partnership with the brand for denim products.
- 2021: Marvel paired up with Stüssy for an extensive line split between two “sets.” The first, published on April 27, featured nine T-shirt designs depicting several of the comic’s most popular superheroes combined with Stüssy’s renowned graphic language.
Any other important people who contributed to success?
Frank Sinatra, Jr. – partner of Shawn Stussy in 1984.
Company mission, vision and values
What does the company believe in?
Core Values: Quality clothing, radical graphics, and international community dedicated to representing the brand.
The Company Today
Who is the CEO?
David Sinatra is the CEO of Stussy.
How many staff do they have?
Estimated number of employees of 200.
How much revenue do they earn?
Annual revenue as of 2020 is $51.01 million.
Where are they located?
Stussy headquarters is located in 17426 Daimler St Irvine, CA, 92614-5514 United States.
Do they have a foundation / non-for-profit arm?
Stussy does not have foundation or non-profit-arm.
Which products do they specialize in?
Stussy specializes in sweats, tees, bottoms, headwear, accessories, outerwear and tops.
Campaigns and Partnerships
Are they doing anything interesting in terms of campaigns or partnerships?
Stussy collaborations with different brands.
Showcase products
For more information
Visit the Stussy website.