Anyone who read the "Brand of the Month #1" blog probably already knew that CP Company would be the next brand featured. Our first blog post revealed that the popular brand Stone Island was founded by Massimo Osti, formerly of CP Company (click here if you haven't read that blog yet). In this blog post, we'll tell you more about the origins and history of the unique CP Company brand. You'll also learn how the well-known CP Company "Goggle Jacket" came into being!
1971: Chester Perry
In 1971, the "Chester Perry Brand" brand was founded by Massimo Osti. The brand was named after the factory where Bristow (the hero from Frank Dickens' comics) worked. Drawing on his background as a graphic designer, Massimo immediately created a distinctive communication style for his company; it began with a toy car that took center stage in the advertising, posters with pop-up images, and other "props" to give away to shop owners. To print the garments, Massimo employed methods then only used for paper: he made extensive use of a photocopier and screen printing. It was also around this time that he began experimenting with the dyeing method (a technique that has also become very popular again).
The discovery of 'garment dying'
The English term "garment dying" refers to the process of dyeing clothing that Massimo Osti and his team pioneered in the early 1970s. This involved dyeing a garment (usually made of white or untreated fabric) again after the garment was finished. Although this technique had existed before, Massimo Osti was the first to experiment with it on garments made of different materials. Using this technique, the clothing acquired a unique look, a look that was impossible to achieve without it. It also strengthened the material.
Chester Perry, a CP Company
As the brand grew in popularity, the English clothing brands Chester Barry and Fred Perry disagreed with the name "Chester Perry." Legal action followed against designer Massimo Osti for "using" the other brands' first and last names. Massimo decided to change the name to CP Company (literally "CP Company"). While the name change was a positive development in retrospect, it also brought about a change for the creative clothing industry of modern Italian fashion. After the name change, the organization acquired a more "serious" image, and CP Company became a clothing brand ideally suited to intellectuals and artists. For over 45 years, CP Company has been a pioneer in distinctive military, work, and sportswear. This is primarily due to the use of well-researched and advanced Italian fabrics and materials.
1988: The birth of the iconic Goggle Jacket
Inspired by military equipment, CP Company decided in 1987 to delve into anti-gas products. This new source of inspiration led the company to "move" the lenses of the masks to the hoods of their jackets. This led to the creation of the Goggle Jacket . These unique jackets adopted the multifunctionality of Swiss field jackets (military jackets with numerous pockets), whose handy pockets were suitable for various tasks. Finally, the first jacket also added a lens to the sleeve so the wearer could also check their watch. The first version became famous through the company's sponsorship of the Mille Miglia (a famous Italian car race). CP Company sponsored this race because it aligned with its vision: the perfect jacket to wear on any adventure.
Today, CP Company remains a brand known for its functionality and use of unique materials. The well-known "Goggle Jacket" continues to be introduced since its initial success in 1988. In fact, the new collection features a jacket inspired by CP Company's first Goggle Jacket. Curious to see what the new CP Company collection looks like? View the entire collection here !
Source: https://www.cpcompany.com/en-nl/our-story.html
