What Happened to British Knights Sneakers: Hip-Hop Origins, History & More
In the ’80s footwear scene, British Knights proved a breakout upon its release — and today, we’re taking a glimpse at its starry history.
Founded in 1983, British Knights grew in popularity from its colorful sneaker assortment — which was later bolstered by its celebrity ambassadors, notably MC Hammer. The brand relaunched in 2014, aiming to enter the 2010s with direction led by Scooter Braun. Since then, British Knights has continued dropping affordable sneakers with a wide array of colors, silhouettes and shapes to appeal to a wide audience.
Below, discover everything you need to know about the British Knights brand.
Who founded British Knights?
British Knights was founded in 1983 by Jack Schwartz Shoes. The label marked a product shift for the company, which originally focused on releasing boat shoes in the ’30s before the popularity of sneakers grew in the ’80s and ’90s, according to Everything ’80s Podcast.
What shoes are British Knights known for?
British Knights is known for its colorful sneakers, which combine fashion-focused silhouettes, trends and hues with sporty accents for an athletic feel. Current pairs in the brand’s line include high and low-top sneakers with printed, cap-toed and paneled silhouettes, cast in hues from classic black and white to red, purple, gray and more.
Which celebrities were British Knights ambassadors?
British Knights attracted a star following after its business grew in the late ’80s. The brand’s first celebrity ambassadors in the ’90s included LL Cool J and MC Hammer, according to its website. The label also expanded to working with athletes, including Dominique Wilkins, Derrick Coleman and Lloyd Daniels, according to Everything ’80s Podcast.
When did British Knights relaunch?
British Knights relaunched in 2014, as previously reported in FN. The label’s relaunch included new leadership under music executive Scooter Braun, who tapped Darren Romanelli as the label’s creative director, according to Billboard
About the Author:
Aaron Royce is the Digital Editor for Footwear News, where he writes stories on trending news, celebrity style, collaborations and in-depth profile interviews. Prior to joining Footwear News, Aaron wrote for publications including PAPER, Grazia and the Daily Front Row. He currently holds a B.S. in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.