Stuart’s Obtains Cooper Brand

NEW YORK – Stuart Edelman has been reunited with the brand of his youth, Cooper.

Edelman, chief executive officer of Stuart’s, the new outerwear resource, told MRketplace.com that his firm has acquired the trademarks and logo design of Cooper Sportswear Manufacturing Co., the outerwear company founded in 1910 and best known for its aviator jackets and other military outerwear styles.

Edelman began his career in outerwear at Cooper in 1974 and stayed for seven years. “It’s really where I learned the outerwear business,” he said.

Cooper filed for bankruptcy in 1999. Stuart’s registered rights to the name for men’s and boys’ military and workwear styles, Edelman said.

First deliveries of the Cooper brand will be made by Stuart’s in July and August for fall selling. Distribution is expected to include upscale jean chains as well as selected department stores.

“Our goal is to return the brand to its glory,” remarked the CEO. “Cooper was known for the bomber jacket, motorcycle jackets and pea coats, and we want to go back to the roots of the company. The look is right for today, to the point where young people are searching vintage shops for it. We’ll be merchandising it in many of the historic silhouettes with authentic fabrics and producing as much as we can in the U.S.”

As previously reported, Carlo Quintiliani recently joined Stuart’s as executive vice president with responsibility for sales.

Edelman said that the firm is continuing to build its brand portfolio and is exploring possibilities in the licensing area.

-Arnold J. Karr