Heritage
Imagine New York sportswear for men with European influences. This is McGREGOR. Founded by David D. Doniger, a New York-based Scottish immigrant. His interpretation of the best of both worlds has led to great success and brand recognition.
1918: Doniger Bros
The Doniger Bros. Cap Factory was located at 663 Broadway from 1912 to 1922. The lettering is on the back of the building that runs from one side of the block to the other; on this side the address is 230 Mercer St. The Doniger Bros. firm was in existence from 1894 to 1942. Before that, starting in 1889, one of the Doniger brothers, Jacob, operated a cap and hat factory on Bleecker St. The Doniger brothers were Jacob Doniger (1867-1921), Henry Doniger (ca. 1872-1928) and the man in question here, David Daniel Doniger (1874-1949).
1921: The Start
The American Dream: In 1921, David D. Doniger decided to leave his older brothers' hat and cap factory to start his own business. Like a true millennial - they apparently had those a century ago too - he decided to take a two-year sabbatical first, to gain inspiration in Europe.
A great idea, because in Scotland he came across the checked caps (think: Peaky Blinders) which he started importing under the brand name McGregor; an instant hit in New York in the twenties - where at that time every man wore a head covering.
1930: American Sportswear
The American Dream: In 1921, David D. Doniger decided to leave his older brothers' hat and cap factory to start his own business. Like a true millennial - they apparently had those a century ago too - he decided to take a two-year sabbatical first, to gain inspiration in Europe.
A great idea, because in Scotland he came across the checked caps (think: Peaky Blinders) which he started importing under the brand name McGregor; an instant hit in New York in the twenties - where at that time every man wore a head covering.
1949:The Drizzler
Doniger's final feat, in 1949, was the introduction of The Scottish Drizzler, the first waterproof sports jacket. If there is one item that we would call iconic, and characteristic of the McGregor brand, it is the Drizzler. The Drizzler was unsurpassed casual, and a showcase for the technical innovation that the brand was at the forefront of.
1951: The Heyday
McGregor becomes the market leader in American sportswear in the early 1950s, with 7,000 points of sale in the US and Canada and annual sales of $50 million.
1954: Golf
From the early fifties, a number of top American golfers were sponsored by McGregor, including Ed Furgo and the legendary Sammy Snead, the Tiger Woods of his time.
1955: Rebel without a cause
In 1955 no one knew what an 'influencer' was, but when James Dean wore a red Drizzler in the classic movie 'Rebel Without A Cause', it caused a huge increase in popularity; it made McGregor the undisputed market leader in casual wear at that time.
1957: Rene Gruau
McGregor teams up with renowned fashion illustrator René Gruau, resulting in a series of artistic ads that underline the brand's progressive nature and are still considered small masterpieces of American advertising.
2019: Athleisure
We’re okay with the blurring of the lines between formal and casual. Although it doesn’t have to disappear completely – there are boundaries. For example, sandals that show your toes are not appropriate for an office environment, or you should set up your flexible workspace on the terrace of a beach bar somewhere. But beyond that, we’re firm believers in the perfect combination of style and wearability – which is exactly what our Athleisure collection is all about.
2020: Return of the Drizzler
In 2020, the iconic sportswear jacket returns. An extended family inspired by the classics, totally revamped for today.
