ABOUT NUTMEG®
NUTMEG® was a sports licensed apparel brand that gained popularity in the United States from the 1980s to the 1990s. In particular, it had licensing agreements with professional sports leagues such as the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL, and developed many sweatshirts and T-shirts with team logos and player designs.
Although the manufacturing and sales of NUTMEG® in the US eventually ceased, it remains a very popular brand among vintage sports collectors.
Then, in 2022, "NUTMEG®" was re-launched, inheriting the concept of the past NUTMEG®.
We will develop collections that re-imagine past archives in a contemporary way.
・Interview with Mr. Sakamoto of CHIPPS COMPANY
History & Features
1. Establishment and Growth
NUTMEG® was founded in the 1980s in Connecticut, USA, and was initially a small company specializing in sports apparel.
Founders Martin (Marty) and Richard (Dick) Jacobson, brothers, originally worked for their father's company, Mr. Panels, where they learned the ins and outs of purchasing and sales. They then recognized the growth of the sports apparel market and established NUTMEG®.
The local area of New Haven, Connecticut, where NUTMEG® was founded, is nicknamed "The Nutmeg State." This nickname dates back to early European immigrants who cultivated and sold nutmeg in the region. The brand name NUTMEG® was inspired by this. The word "NUTMEG" is also a slang term in sports like football, hockey, and basketball for a "nutmeg," or kicking the ball between an opponent's legs. This perfectly illustrates how NUTMEG® was named after sports.
In the 1990s, the brand grew rapidly through official licensing agreements with sports leagues, becoming one of the leading brands in the sports fashion scene of the time.
The company was known for its merchandise featuring NBA stars such as Michael Jordan and Horace Grant, designed with bold fonts and illustrations, and was widely seen in colleges and on the streets in the 1990s. Its success garnered attention as a fast-growing company on the New York Stock Exchange.
2. The heyday of the 90s
NUTMEG® items were characterized by loose silhouettes and vintage-style graphic designs, significantly influencing 90s street fashion.
Sweatshirts and T-shirts with large NFL and NBA team logos were popular among players and fans, becoming a staple of streetwear.
In addition to sports apparel, the brand also produced items for college teams (college sports), gaining support from many university students.
3. Acquisition by VF Corporation
In 1994, the Jacobson brothers sold NUTMEG® to VF Corporation. Subsequently, by 2000, Nutmeg Industries was integrated as a division of VF, leading to an even larger expansion under VF's umbrella. However, as the 2000s began, the brand's presence gradually faded, and the NUTMEG® brand effectively disappeared.
Currently, Marty Jacobson resides in North Carolina and Florida, enjoying a life of golf. He also made significant donations to his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, supporting the construction of the football stadium's press box.
Current evaluation and popularity in the Japanese used clothing market
NUTMEG® items have once again garnered attention in the used clothing market due to the recent 90s revival boom. Especially among young people in Japan, the "oversized silhouette" and "retro sports design" are highly valued, and vintage NBA and NFL T-shirts and sweatshirts are being traded at high prices.
Furthermore, although a relatively large number of NUTMEG® items were produced back then, well-preserved pieces are becoming scarcer each year, and rare team or design items can sometimes fetch premium prices.
In Japan, alongside other sports brands like Champion, Starter, and Logo7, NUTMEG® has seen a resurgence in popularity as part of 90s vintage fashion, making it a must-check brand for vintage clothing enthusiasts.
Design Concept
The recent street fashion trend has seen "Throwback Collection" gain attention. A Throwback Collection refers to a collection that reissues past designs and re-releases them as contemporary items. In particular, vintage sports team uniform designs from the 1990s have been reissued, and various designs inspired by them have been created.
Specifically, team logos, color patterns, fonts, and design features popular in the 90s are reproduced and offered as items that adapt the sports fashion of that era to a modern style. For example, items inspired by NBA, NFL, and MLB uniforms, team jackets, T-shirts, and caps are popular.
This "Throwback" style is especially popular among those who appreciate the retro designs emblematic of the 90s and fans interested in sports culture. NUTMEG® explicitly adopts this Throwback Style as its design concept.
