The ingredients for success in the clothing business are financial backing, hustle, and luck: you’ve got to get your idea to the department stores before the other guy gets there first.
He hooked up with a friend named Bob–a Trim sales rep from Atlanta. Bob knew a designer in Georgia who could make the canvas shorts for $10 less than the competition. Thus was born Off the Top Surfware; Bob was president, Rosenstein the national sales manager.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
Rosenstein hangs up, and he’s delighted.
“We started with the concept of a reversible sweatshirt with a loose bottom,” Levinson interjects. “The idea came to me after I saw so many kids wearing their sweatshirts inside out. People are tired of being billboards for labels. They’re tired of the skintight Lycra look. Our line is oversized. It’s got a sloppy look. You can work out in it, go shopping in it, or just hang out in it. I knew we had found our niche.”
“Without Bob?”
“Basically, we needed him for the factory and to get us access to capital. He needed us because we had the rights to the Fitigues line and the wherewithal to get it in stores all over the country. Our lawyer Spray–his real name is James Sprayregen–and Josh’s lawyer ironed out a deal. We ended up signing this big, thick agreement. And now we’re ready to roll.”
