“Everything we do is about giving creators the space to champion what they believe in. So, what do you champion?” When the vision of a legendary brand like Champion and its Global Creative VP coincide, nurtured by a shared cultural sensibility, personal biography, and corporate history converge into a single, inspired narrative flow. It is the flow of manifold curiosity, of endless perspectives that cease to be individual strands and become something unique. A creative tapestry.

Jay Escobara is the new brains behind the company born ‘Knickerbocker Knitting Company’ in Rochester, New York, back in 1919. He is also the archetype of its modern permutation. This new chapter is one of philological attention and virtuous innovation. Shaped by the chaotic cultural vibes of NYC in the 90s and influenced by his lengthy association with Polo Ralph Lauren, Escobara’s thought process epitomizes the identity of a brand written in sports legend and companion to some of their most magical moments, as well as its ability to inspire and be inspired by other cultural scenes.

Discovering the life of Jay Escobara is like exploring the timeline of Champion itself. It means immersing yourself in vistas that draw from the past, breathe the present, and imagine the future with profound respect for tradition. It is tantamount to traveling through anecdotes, mantras, and experiences that seek to enhance the iconic and support talent in all forms, athletic to artistic. From what has been to what will be. Join us for a quick peek into Jay Escobara’s mindset and the soul of (a) Champion.

“I was lucky to explore design in various forms along my way. When I was ten years old, I was a fan of Franco Moschino; I’m not sure why. I think I was fascinated by his colors and the boldness of his designs. He was so creative and ambitious… One of my first fashion books was actually dedicated to Moschino, to that larger-than-life figure.”

“My work with Ralph Lauren taught me so much. In some ways, almost everything about that company shaped me. The experience convinced me that everything has to start with an understanding of history.”

“My inspirations have always come from different places, even from the simple fact of being alive. I grew up in New York, so I was surrounded by all kinds of cultures. I was shaped by the alternative skate scene, visual arts, and BMX. It was a physical environment; the inspirations themselves were physical. My friends have always inspired me: visiting a gallery, an exhibition with them, has always meant reflecting on new ideas.”

“I’ve been in love with sports since I was a kid. I really enjoyed watching the European soccer championships recently, but I’m an American football fan at heart. I never played pro sports, but I’m hoping that someone close to me will get into the NFL sooner or later. It’s an exciting sport and always made me think about the notion of perseverance. As a creative type, I see myself in the perseverance of athletes.”

“Since its founding, Champion has always sought to be close to sports, athletes, and university institutions. It’s provided identity to campuses and students. Along the way, it’s done the same for creatives, allowing them to pursue and promote ideas, design, and cultural activities. I’ve always loved that side of Champion. It’s one of a kind.”

“The connection between Champion and sports imagery is among the most vibrant and authentic you can find and it coincides with the first great endorsements. We were the first logo to show up on a playing field. In the 1960s, it was our trademark, especially in football. We became synonymous with quality. Shortly after, the NBA asked us to produce all their uniforms and technical material; we opened the doors to a golden era.”

“Our love for the NBA is still huge; the fact that they’ve recognized our skills and strength. The combination has meant we’ve dressed some of the most epic moments in the league’s history; moments that depended on iconic players and what they wore. In the 1990s, for example, the on-court style was much more distinctive than it is today. Some uniforms, like the Orlando Magic or Charlotte Hornets, are still legendary today. The players’ personalities blended perfectly with those uniforms and the soul of the individual franchises. It was Champion’s perfect storm.”

“Many brands started by emulating or imitating Champion. Nike printed on Champion garments during its early period. At the end of the day, it’s about trust. Trust in quality. Trust in heritage. We’re fortunate to have a strong, reliable positioning that’s not necessarily rooted in a niche culture or a specific social class. We embrace a wide range of things, and that really stimulates me.”

“Music also plays a key role in Champion history. We have a direct cultural line with Hip Hop, the rave scene, and New Wave music of the 1980s. If we’d been at The Haçienda in Manchester in those times, we’d have found Champion sweatshirts. The same would have happened in New York, where Hip Hop has always been part of youth culture. No matter where you come from, your status, or where you live, culture welcomes you.”

“For me, design is a sport. Fashion is a sport. You have to constantly challenge yourself, your perspectives. The way you see shapes and colors is like your offense. Your defense? You have to make sure that science and design are aware of their surroundings. You’re playing a sport in your mind and the goal is to arrive at new ideas and concepts.”

“I often get to think and talk about sports. A little while ago, I was talking about running, thinking about bodies performing against gravity, against pressure, everything. It’s such a physical and powerful act…. And I remembered the first logo in Champion history, the Running Man.”

“My love of history carries over into a passion for all things vintage, the college aesthetic, sportswear, and Italian and British tailoring. We loved these things and were fascinated by their different techniques. At the same time, I’ve never wanted to box myself in and be a traditionalist; I also appreciate the avant-garde aspects contingent on these universes.”

“I have friends who are rappers, singers, guitarists…. When I say that I champion creativity, I’m also referring to that. I value talent. I feel inspired to push further and dig deeper when I see that talent is true, honest, and focused.”

“Creativity is something I champion, as well as craftsmanship with ‘purpose’. Purpose is essential. I help write the phrases you see on Champion’s social media platforms, and many of them are connected to this concept. It’s a harmonious notion that’s always been intrinsic to the brand.”

“Thanks to the NBA, we’ve become iconic. You see performers like Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, and Drake wearing our Bulls or Raptors jerseys during concerts. We’ve always made the best game jerseys. People, the players themselves, respect Champion because it represents something iconic. I even heard somewhere that Michael Jordan wore North Carolina’s Champion shorts under his Chicago Bulls’ Champion ones…. There’s no better definition for the concept of iconic than that.”

“When I was starting out in Champion, I talked with the president about our mantra. We agreed that we were a lifestyle brand born for sports and from sports. No other words were needed. That’s why we still work with fast-growing leagues like the Australian NBL (National Basketball League). We’ve always been here for the athletes and for the institutions. I want to continue these collaborations because they epitomize our spirit.”

“We also collaborate with others, like the Premier Lacrosse League in the States; we seek to foster visions that push traditional boundaries a little further, as with the AFL or the NFL half a century ago. It’s a way to do worthy projects and assist the athletes. We support contexts that give people the opportunity to showcase their talents. It’s always going to be that way.”

“When we talk about Champion, we’re talking about a brand with over 100 years of history. Every person has memories and experiences related to Champion and its relevance in sports, music, art, and fashion. That’s why we’ve always invested in these areas.”

“This is a time of innovation for Champion. We’ve gone through many similar moments, but this is a new modern cycle. We’re modern in the way we think, embrace our culture, and understand its direction. We’re modern regarding inclusiveness because this is a part of our essence and evolution. These understandings help us tell meaningful stories and share credible concepts with people. And to honor our past. It’s our formula for making a unique kind of impact. To connect intimately. To have a clear starting point and an even clearer destination. People understand Champion because its evolution is 100 percent organic. And it’s 100 percent true.”

“Whenever I’m in the design office it all starts with a dream. There are all these vintage pieces…. Some of them are really incredible. It starts with their aesthetics, meaning, and the principle that I can create something impactful if I believe in a dream and its identity. People sense that. I want to win them over, one collection at a time. And I’m going to keep doing it.”