Yakira, L.L.C. (trade name: Ecko Unltd.) is an American urban fashion company founded by Marc Ecko in 1993. The company makes apparel and accessories under the brands Ecko Unltd. line for men and the Ecko Red line for girls and women. It is headquartered in New York City. The company's products gained public attention in the late 1990s; they were originally associated with hip-hop and skate culture and moved into mainstream urban culture in the early 2000s. It is most often associated with hip-hop. The style is based on graffiti art. Its brand features a rhino as its logo. Rap artist MC Serch of 3rd Bass assisted with marketing in the early years of the company.
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| Ecko Unlimited | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Clothing industry |
| Founded | June 29, 1993 |
| Founder | Marc Ecko |
| Headquarters | New York City, U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Marc Ecko (CCO) |
| Parent | Iconix Brand Group |
| Website | ecko |
History
Ecko Unltd. is a streetwear brand that was founded by Marc Ecko, an American fashion designer and entrepreneur, in 1993. The brand was originally established as a T-shirt company and quickly gained a following among hip-hop and urban culture enthusiasts. Over the years, Ecko Unltd. expanded its product offerings to include a wide range of clothing and accessories, including jackets, hoodies, jeans, sneakers. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ecko Unltd. became known for its bold, graphic designs and its association with hip-hop culture, and gained a reputation as a leading player in the streetwear market. In addition to its fashion offerings, Ecko Unltd. has also been involved in a number of partnerships and collaborations with other brands, artists, and musicians including Spike Lee and Chuck D, as well as having a segment in Good Morning America that featured its T-shirt designs.
The company later acquired Avirex and Zoo York. In 2009, Ecko Unlimited had over $1 billion in global revenue and was the largest brand in streetwear.
On October 27, 2009, Iconix Brand Group paid $109 million for a 51% stake in Ecko Unlimited. It acquired full ownership in May 2013.
Sponsorships
Ecko Unltd. has sponsored a number of artists, musicians, and athletes over the years as part of its marketing and brand-building efforts. Ecko Unltd. has been a sponsor of a number of streetwear and urban culture events, including fashion shows, streetwear exhibitions, and trade shows.