Skins (sportswear)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sportswear, Compression garments |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder | Brad Duffy |
| Fate | Bankruptcy in 2019; brand acquired by Symphony Holdings |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Key people | Jaimie Fuller (CEO from 2002) |
| Products | Compression garments for athletes and sports lovers |
| Owner | Symphony Holdings (since 2019) |
Number of employees | 80 (2008) |
Skins, presented as SKINS, is an Australian company established in 1996 that specializes in designing and manufacturing compression garments tailored for athletes and sports lovers. After declaring bankruptcy in 2019, the brand was purchased by Symphony Holdings, a Hong Kong–based firm that now holds the rights to the "SKINS" trademark.
History
SKINS was created in 1996 by Brad Duffy, an Australian physiologist and ski enthusiast. The company introduced its initial three collections in 1998: 'JetSkins' aimed at travelers, 'SportsSkins' for various sports disciplines, and 'SnowSkins' designed for Alpine sports. Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh was chosen as the brand ambassador for these lines.
Originally, SKINS offered only long compression tights sold exclusively through online channels and telesales. By 2002, production was based in Sydney, with distribution expanding to approximately 20 retail stores across Australia. That same year, entrepreneur Jaimie Fuller took on the role of CEO.
By 2008, SKINS had expanded its product portfolio to include over 160 compression items catering to golf, cycling, triathlon, and winter sports. The workforce numbered around 80 full-time employees, and the products were available in more than 800 specialty retailers throughout Australia.
In January 2019, after initiating bankruptcy procedures in a Swiss court, Symphony Holdings acquired the SKINS brand along with its intellectual property rights, placing the company under new leadership.
Advertising and controversy
SKINS has been known for provocative and sometimes contentious marketing efforts. Between 2005 and 2006, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) accused SKINS of deceptive advertising related to claims stating "We don't pay sports stars to wear our product. They pay us." The ACCC challenged this assertion by identifying athletes who received sponsorship payments from SKINS. In 2009, the Federal Court sided with the ACCC; SKINS consented to formal undertakings, covered legal costs, and issued corrective advertisements. Additionally, the court confirmed allegations of retail price maintenance when SKINS persuaded a retailer not to reduce product prices.
In 2006, SKINS launched an advertising campaign that featured Nike’s "Swoosh" logo inverted over athletes’ mouths. Nike demanded that SKINS halt this usage, which they did comply with; nevertheless, the campaign earned praise for its creativity from the Advertising Federation of Australia.
Retail partnerships
In 2010, SKINS entered into a collaboration with Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning to develop co-branded compression apparel targeted at consumers in China.
By 2012, SKINS had formed a partnership with Itochu Corporation to distribute its products across several Asian markets including Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Anti-doping initiatives
SKINS has taken a firm stance against blood doping within the athletic community and was the inaugural company to receive certification from BikePure, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting ethical cycling and advancing anti-doping research.
In September 2013, SKINS introduced the Pure Sport campaign, advocating for enhanced anti-doping regulations by appealing to the International Olympic Committee and World Anti-Doping Agency. The initiative gained support from former Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, who was stripped of his 1988 Olympic gold medal due to doping violations.
Additional partnerships
In 2004, SKINS partnered with Mars Society Australia to develop MarsSkin, an experimental spacesuit that underwent testing in Australia's Flinders Ranges.
Their compression socks are officially listed as medical devices on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, recognized for their effectiveness in alleviating oedema.