Eastpak

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Eastpak

Parent		VF Corporation (2000–present)
Website	www.eastpak.com

Eastpak is an American worldwide lifestyle brand founded in

History

Founding

Eastpak was founded in 1952 by Bernard Godfrey of

However, the company's direction changed dramatically when Monte's son, Mark Goldman, joined the company in 1976. He transformed the company's retail product line into a consumer brand and launched the first line-up of bags and packs at a sportswear trade fair in Chicago in 1977. Norman Jacobs joined the company in 1980 and, with partner Mark Goldman, claimed a market-leading share of the U.S. college market on the East Coast throughout most of the 1980s and early 1990s.

Brand evolution

In 1985, Eastpak introduced bright

Wrangler

.[1]

International expansion

Eastpak's first export markets were in Asia, with early successes in Japan, Korea, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Eastpak was first introduced to the European market in 1986 by the Frenchman Kostia Belkin. He met with Mark Goldman and Norman Jacobs in Boston, who convinced him to start distributing Eastpak products in Europe. Kostia then expanded distribution throughout France, then Switzerland, and other European countries from 1986 to 1995, soon followed by brands such as Airwalk or DCSHOES, which saw Eastpak tap different corners of the market.^{[citation needed]} Thirty-five years later, although distributed worldwide, France is the largest market for the Eastpak brand.

Products

Eastpak’s product portfolio includes a wide range of shoulder bags,

]

Travel gear

Eastpak was also the first company to produce wheeled luggage for the consumer market.

Since then, the company has significantly expanded its range of

ranging from uncomplicated, single-volume holdalls to two and even four-wheeled trolleys with single or dual compartments, in a range of sizes from strict carry-on to standard carry-on and larger. Most styles integrate other design features such as adjustable shoulder straps, organizer pouches, laptop and multimedia sleeves, expansion zips and straps, “add-a-bag” loops and security lock rings.

Projects

Designer collaborations

In 2004, Eastpak partnered with Belgian fashion designer Walter Van Beirendonck.^[5] Since then, Eastpak has produced collections in collaboration with renowned designers including Kris Van Assche,^[6] Christopher Shannon, Raf Simons^[7] and many others.

References