'47 Brand's partnership with the Black Fives Foundation was unveiled in New York City. Black Fives is a non-profit organization that works to research, preserve, showcase, and teach the pre-1950 history of African Americans in basketball, to create a first-of-its-kind collection of headwear, apparel and accessories that combines fashion with history. The multi-year licensing partnership brings together one of today’s leading sports lifestyle brands with a one-of-a-kind authentic vintage sports property that is socially and culturally relevant.
“Both ’47 and the Black Fives Foundation represent a legacy that is deeply rooted in American sport history, and we are honored to work with them on this collaboration,” said ’47’s co-owner Steven D’Angelo. “’47 supports the history of sports, so it was a natural fit to join forces with the Black Fives Foundation and bring this new genre to life, by sharing the untold stories of how the Black Fives Era helped pave the way for basketball as we know it today.”
The partnership includes headwear, apparel and pennants, which draw on and reflect the Foundation’s leading historical archive of Black Fives Era artifacts as well as its unique portfolio of the historically accurate logos of original African American teams. Looking ahead, both ’47 and the Black Fives Foundation will expand with additional product offerings, such as vintage jerseys, socks, and other complementary styles.
“The vision behind this collaboration from our two authentically rooted brands is to not only capture fans’ passion for basketball, history, and quality workmanship, but also to honor and celebrate the once-forgotten but important efforts and contributions of the game’s early African American pioneers,” said Claude Johnson, Executive Director of the Black Fives Foundation.
The partnership reinforces the Foundation’s slogan, “Make History Now,” by bringing back an important genre of sports history through the existing appeal of ’47’s youthful, fan-targeted, contemporary lifestyle apparel and accessories offerings. Both ’47 and the Black Fives Foundation will amplify their messages by creating collections that speak to the audiences that both brands have established, and beyond.
Key boutique partners in cities where Black Fives Era teams played, collaborated on the designs and will be offering the collection in their retail locations:
1. New York – Reed Space
2. Chicago – LDRS
3. Pittsburgh – Shop 412
4. LA Hall of Fame
5. DC Major
6. New Jersey Packer
7. Philadelphia – Sneaker Villa
A subsequent European roll out will launch in London at the Old Truman Brewery, Unit 8, Dray Walk, on June 11, 2015 and a Pop Up Shop will run until June 21. The new collection will also be available at ’47’s flagship store on Newbury Street in Boston, MA as well as online at 47brand.com.
