OUR STORY - LEE COOPER
Founded in London's East End in 1908, Lee Cooper has a rich history spanning over a century, establishing itself as the iconic brand of original British denim. From humble beginnings in workwear, our brand is now recognized worldwide as a benchmark for style and the go-to choice for legendary British rock 'n' roll bands.
1908
The story of the Lee Cooper brand—Europe's first true denim brand—begins in 1908. Lithuanian-born Morris Cooper founded a workwear company called The Morris Cooper Factory in East London. Cooper quickly gained a solid reputation as a manufacturer of durable workwear and overalls.
1930s
In 1931, the company was renamed Mr. Cooper (Workwear). At the outbreak of World War II, it was commissioned to produce combat uniforms and denim uniforms for the British armed forces.
1940s
After the war, Lee Cooper began to reinvent jeans as a fashion item. Harold Cooper, Morris's son, took over the factory after his father's death and refocused the business from workwear to jeans, marking the birth of the Lee Cooper brand. For over two decades, Lee Cooper has been at the forefront of denim and jeans in the UK.
1950s
Rock and roll was born! Lee Cooper was the first denim brand to recognize the connection between music and fashion, tapping into the vibrant energy of musical youth. Throughout its history, the brand has collaborated with legendary artists such as the Rolling Stones, UB40, Serge Gainsbourg, and Rod Stewart.
1960s
Lee Cooper caused a sensation by launching the first women's jeans with a front zip, causing a public outcry. The women's range then expanded, introducing a wider range of sizes and an increasing diversity of fits. The 1960s, full of color and freedom, inspired a new collection of vibrant Lee Cooper jeans that swept London.
1970s
In the 1970s, Lee Cooper's innovative fashion helped pave the way for the disco decade. Low-rise jeans were all the rage, and the brand collaborated with Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, both of whom were regularly seen wearing Lee Cooper jeans. In 1971, Lee Cooper caused a sensation across Europe with its miniskirt and the introduction of the first 32-inch bell-bottom trousers.
1980s
In the 1980s, collaborations with the Rolling Stones propelled the Lee Cooper brand to the global spotlight, making it the preferred brand of rock stars and music lovers.
1990s
Lee Cooper's iconic logo was modernized into the one we know today. The brand also launched an innovative "3 on 1" collection, marking the arrival of the first-ever five-pocket wide-leg jeans.
2000s
Lee Cooper collaborated with French model and actress Lou Doillon. This collaboration was created to celebrate the brand's legacy alongside its iconic former ambassadors. Around the same time, Lee Cooper launched a clothing collection inspired by The Beatles.
2008
Building on its history as the original British denim brand and its century-old craftsmanship, Lee Cooper celebrated its 100th anniversary by dressing over 1,200 members of the British Olympic team and Paralympic athletes in denim jackets and suits at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
TODAY
Firmly anchored in the world of denim on a global scale, Lee Cooper continues to move forward with determination, faithful to its ideal: to create denim imbued with British influence — London in our jeans .
