Kangol

Kangol is arguably one of the best-known and most beloved headwear brands in the streetwear scene, with its famous hats, berets, and buckets serving as authentic style icons in popular culture.

The birth of a legend
The story of how Kangol transformed from a supplier of berets to the British Army during World War II into a cult brand for rappers and movie stars is fascinating. Founded by Jakob Henryk Spreiregen, a Polish Jewish emigrant who arrived in England in 1915 and began making his first hats in London in the 1930s, the famous name originated from the combination of K from "knit", ANG from the angora wool used, and OL from "wool".

The kangaroo crosses the pond
After gaining fame during and after World War II – manufacturing up to a million hats per year – Kangol hired Pierre Cardin and Mary Quant to lead the design of all the brand's products. At this time, celebrities like The Beatles, golfer Arnold Palmer, and years later, Princess Diana, began requesting exclusive hat designs for daily wear. It was at this point that the United States started investing in Kangol, increasing interest in the "kangaroo brand."

The 80s and Hip Hop. How Kangol changed the game forever
And suddenly, hip hop hit the streets and the radio charts in the United States, with MCs, DJs, and B-boys across the country setting the style. Suddenly, LL Cool J, famous for his collection of caps and hats, started wearing Kangol berets and bucket hats in all his public appearances, creating a genuine fervor around the brand and prompting other artists of the era like Run DMC, Slick Rick, Grandmaster Flash, and more recently, Missy Elliot, to follow suit and contribute to its appeal. The fact that movie stars like Wesley Snipes or Samuel L. Jackson began wearing the brand's berets on and off screen during the 90s only further increased Kangol's global popularity.