Ocean Pacific Apparel Corp. (Ocean Pacific or OP) is a clothing company based in Irvine, California, United States. It produces T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, shoes and beverage mugs.
History
The first "Ocean Pacific" trademark brand was started by John Smith in the 1960s as a surfboard brand, which he sold out of his shop, North County Ding Repair. Later, Fred Ryan purchased North County Ding Repair from John Smith along with the Ocean Pacific surfboard label. The Ocean Pacific label was later sold to Don Hansen of Hansen Surf Shop.
In 1972, Jim Jenks of San Diego wanted to create clothing and sportswear that met the demands of surfers in and out of the surf. He received the name from his then employer, Don Hansen, and the Ocean Pacific apparel line was created.[1] Jenks' idea for clothing under the Ocean Pacific label quickly became popular with the surf culture with its instantly recognizable "OP" logo.[2]
OP's designs showed the visual aesthetic of each era through the years, from the primary color stripes of the 1970s to the bright neon and geometric shapes of the 1980s.[1]