 | 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 an American footwear brand owned by Jack Schwartz Shoes, LLC (JSS). The brand was established in October 1993, and produces footwear for adults and children. Lugz products are sold through major retailers in multiple markets worldwide. [1]
Following the launch of its first boot line, Lugz engaged in collaboration and endorsement agreements within the music, entertainment, and sports industries. One of the brand’s early celebrity-endorsed products was Funkmaster Flex, an urban driving shoe developed in collaboration with a radio personality. [2] This was followed by a collaborative footwear line with hip-hop artist, Bryan "Baby" Williams. [3] Additional endorsement and collaboration agreements involved figures and organizations including Snoop Dogg, Orange County Choppers, and professional athletes from MMA and combat sports. [4] [5]
The brand gained greater public visibility from shoutouts on The Howard Stern Show and appearances in music videos by artists such as B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls) and Dr. Dre. In February 2000, Lugz launched its first e-commerce website, allowing customers to make direct online purchases. [1]
In 2006, Lugz collaborated withOrange County Choppers, including the design of a signature footwear model known as The Torx, created in collaboration with Paul Teutul Jr. That same year, Orang Country Choppers and Lugz collaborated on a custom Lugz chopper. In 2009, the chopper was presented to the Bluff Poker Player of The Year. [6]
In 2008, Lugz entered the Mixed Martial Arts market by signing Lyoto Machida and Houston Alexander as endorsers. [7] Machida later won the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion while associated with the brand. The brand signed additional endorsers such as Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Cain Velasquez ,who became a Lugz endorser in 2010. [8]
During the 2010s, Lugz participated in several collaborative projects with fashion brands, artists, and media entities, like Atelier New Regime, Fool’s Gold Records, Urban Outfitters, V-Files, Colm Dillane (KidSuper) [9] , the Swedish rock band Ghost [10] , and Bazooka chewing gum. [11] [12]