Founded in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1900, the American brand Hanes was created by John Wesley Hanes as Shamrock Knitting Mills. After John Hanes merged with his brother Pleasant Hanes’ knitting company in 1965, the Hanes Corporation was created, going on to become a major American t-shirt and underclothing brand. The brand’s early headquarters on West 14th Street in Winston-Salem has been a historic landmark since 1978.
With the success of their classic, everyday basics, the 20th century saw Hanes earn the status of a household name. Major celebrities, including Michael Jordan and Matthew Perry, were featured in the brand’s advertisements, and they were a sponsor of the 1996 Olympic Games, held in Atlanta, Georgia. Moving into the 21st century, it’s no surprise that Hanes’ extensive heritage and commitment to crafting timeless classics attracted the likes of American skateboarding brand Supreme. Hanes is widely associated with their packaged undershirts and underwear, and Hanes worked with Supreme to create co-branded items in the iconic clearer packaging, such as the Supreme Hanes Boxer Briefs (4 Pack) White with a red Supreme branded waistband.
Having partnered with Supreme since 2009, Hanes has augmented their assortment with fashion-forward renditions of their classics, even going on to add MM6 Maison Margiela into the mix to produce a tri-branded sock. Not to be overlooked, many designer and heritage brands have extended their talents to undergarments, allowing collectors to imbue the furthest reaches of their wardrobe with style.
