Zoo York - Streetwear x Skateboarding and The Spirit of New York

Inspired by 'Soul Artists of Zoo York', the NYC skate and graffiti crew of the 1970s, three friends decided to shake up the skate scene two decades later with a brand that shined the spotlight on their hometown. Zoo York has been representing New York City in an authentic way with streetwear and skte goods since 1993. The brand has since made an international name for itself with designs that never lose sight of its roots and the style of the Five Boroughs.

The Skateboarding Background of Zoo York

The Zoo York name refers to one of New York's first skate crews. The name of the “Soul Artists of Zoo York” goes back to artist and rapper ALI aka Marc André Edmonds, whose graffiti crew met regularly in the subway tunnel under the Central Park Zoo. Over time, skaters also increasingly used the location and took over the name under Edmonds' approval. A group of teenagers at the time are considered pioneers of street skating in Manhattan and are something like the East Coast counterpart of California's Dogtown Crew. The era of the Soul Artists came to an end in 1980. In 1993, skateboarders Rodney Smith, Eli Morgan Gesner and Adam Schatz started Zoo York Skateboards.

Streetwear With Cult Status

Zoo York serves up T-shirts, hoodies and the like with uncomplicated cuts and iconic prints that not only have a real cult status, but are also consistent in their look. Zoo York apparel just doesn’t go out of style and will keep you looking fresh on your board for many skate sessions. The fact that the founders were inspired by the hip-hop and graffiti scene of the Big Apple is clearly reflected in the designs and graphics. Zoo York knows how to bring a breath of fresh air in terms of style with every collection, without deviating too much from the established coolness of the 90s. So if you're looking for a cap with a classic, tried-and-true look or a casual hoodie with graffiti-style branding, Zoo York won't disappoint!

Authenticity at its Finest

In 2019, in order to stay true to their company's original principles and vision, Zoo York's founders have decided to actively rejoin the management team as creative directors. Their stated goal is clearly to ensure that the street culture of New York City continues to have a place in Zoo York's designs. To mark their re-entry, they've put their ambition directly into action with three exclusive Zoo York x Founders collections. Just your thing? Then stay up to date and check out the latest styles from Zoo York!