From Knitting Knickerbockers to Dominating Streetwear

Reverse Weave

What set Champion apart from the competition was undoubtedly the brand’s pioneering approach to textiles. Created in the mid-1930s, Reverse Weave revolutionised garment production by creating tubular fabric with the grain running horizontally. As a result Reverse Weave pieces were – and still are – renowned for their ability to maintain their shape and withstand shrinkage. Teams could repeatedly wash all of their uniforms and gear knowing that they would still fit perfectly.

The addition of stretchy side panels on the sweatshirts, along with gussets on the sweatpants, further aided the supreme sense of Champion comfort.

Innovation

While the Reverse Weave may be Champion’s calling card, it’s not the brand’s only innovation. In fact, they have been responsible for a variety of patents. Champion was also the first company to produce double-sided/reversible tees, and they even crafted the first sports bra in the 1970s by sewing two jock straps together. They also invented the breathable mesh that dominated football jerseys and basketball uniforms through the 80s and 90s. Champion also hold patented processes for letter and number flocking, as well as screenprinting techniques.

Their single most important invention, however, was the humble hoodie, which has gone on to become a sideline staple.

Sportswear Dominance

Thanks to the aforementioned innovations, and the brand’s presence on collegiate campuses, Champion were able to parlay their success into lucrative licensing deals with countless universities and leagues across the sporting realm. Sparked by their initial signing with Michigan, Champion vastly expanded their collegiate deals through the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) before linking up with the NFL in the 1970s. More importantly, Champion was the official outfitter for the NBA during the golden era of the 1990s, including dressing the Dream Team for the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. When Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and company mopped up the court that summer, they did it while rocking Champion’s iconic ‘C’ on their chests.