Coogi
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Toorak, Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Knitwear, apparel, cosmetics, toiletries, leather accessories, furniture, textiles, toys |
Coogi is a distinguished Australian fashion label best known for its vibrant knitwear collections. Established in 1969 under the name "Cuggi" in Toorak, Australia, the brand underwent a name change in 1987. Its 1992 international trademark registration broadened the brand's scope to include cosmetics, toiletries, leather accessories, furniture, textiles, and toys.
History
Originally launched as "Cuggi" in Toorak, Melbourne in 1969, the brand was rebranded in 1987 to reflect an indigenous Australian influence. In 2002, ownership transferred to Coogi Partners LLC, a New York City-based joint venture. The company diversified beyond its signature sweater line into a comprehensive apparel collection featuring women's and children's T-shirts, jeans, dress shirts, dresses, sweatshirts, sweatpants, footwear, handbags, outerwear, swimwear, and underwear — all showcasing the iconic patterns.
Relaunch
In 2014, Coogi reintroduced itself with a renewed focus on its authentic men's sweater range, incorporating fresh designs and color variations. The New York Times attributed the brand’s revival to a wave of 1990s nostalgia. Contemporary fashion houses such as Rag & Bone, Pigalle, Burton, and Supreme have acknowledged Coogi’s unique aesthetic through their own collections.
In popular culture
Coogi's prominence was amplified by references from The Notorious B.I.G. in tracks like "Big Poppa," "One More Chance / Stay With Me (Remix)," and the 1997 hit "Hypnotize". Lyrics including "Every cutie with a booty bought a Coogi" significantly boosted the brand’s popularity.
Subsequent mentions include Kanye West’s 2005 song "Gone" and his 2010 track "Devil in a New Dress," which features Rick Ross, who also references Coogi in his song "Santorini Greece." In 2017, both Kanye West and Tyga cited the brand in "Feel Me."
Australian hip-hop group Hilltop Hoods paid homage to Coogi in "Cosby Sweater," linking back to The Notorious B.I.G.'s iconic association with the label. Group member MC Suffa owns an extensive collection of Coogi sweaters, underscoring the brand’s cultural significance.
ASAP Ferg’s 2013 remix of "Work" contains the line "Coogi down to the socks, like I'm Biggie Poppa," reinforcing its ties to hip-hop style. In 2014, Christian hip-hop duo Social Club released "Coogi Sweater" on their album Misfits 2.
Despite frequent confusion with the so-called "Cosby sweater," Coogi was never worn by Bill Cosby. The costume designer for the Cosby Show remarked that while their sweaters were patterned, they were not as bold as Coogi’s designs.
Coogi has also featured on Australian television; notably in Kath and Kim (season 2, episode 3), where characters buy matching sweaters at Tullamarine Airport. Additionally, Bryan Cranston’s character sports a Coogi sweater in the Malcolm in the Middle episode titled "No Motorbike."
The brand is referenced in Big Tymers' track "Still Fly," with Birdman rapping: "Burberry's cool, Coogi sweater (Sweater) / Twenty inches, pop my feather / The Birdman daddy, I fly in any weather."