British Knights is an American brand founded in 1983 by Jack Schwartz Shoes Inc.,[1] based in New York City. In the 1980s, British Knights distinguished themselves as an inner-city and music-driven brand, appealing to the predominantly male youth in urban communities.[2]
Casual wear currently commercialized under the brand include footwear (mainly sneakers) and clothing (t-shirts, hoodies, caps).
History
British Knights was launched in 1983 as a casual shoe brand. In 1985, they introduced their first sneaker collection, and sales exploded. In an environment where brands kept the same style in their line for years, British Knights was one of the first brands to recognize that the sneaker business was more about fashion than performance. By introducing a new collection three to four times a year, it became popular among 15- to 24-year-old males in urban communities. The slogan "the shoe ain't nothin' without the BK button" became the brand's mantra in reference to the diamond-shaped BK logo plate that was on every shoe.[3]