How Ecko Went From Being The " First Streetwear Brand" To The Shelves Of Ross

How many remember Ecko Unlimited? In the 90s and early 2000s Ecko cemented themselves in the culture as one of the ambassadors to the mainstream. Before streetwear was streetwear, brands like Ecko were giving us a glimpse of the future which was to come.
Ecko came along in a time before the industry began to respect the street market as viable, but the wave that they contributed in creating would go on to change the industry as they knew it. Ecko rose to ungodly heights, at one point cresting $1 billion in sales at their peak.
But what happened? How did Ecko fall from the world renowned pedestal in which they stood, to the relative obscurity they find themselves in today? We'll let's find out. I'm Nate the Great from Takeflight214.com and this is the rise and fall of Ecko Unltd.
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If you liked this video then you should check out the others in our Rise and Fall Of A Streetwear Brand Series:
What Happened To Crooks and Castles:
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Happened To Alife:
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What Happened To Diamond Supply Co. :
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What Happened To Billionaire Boys Club/Icecream :
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[@fatiheroglu382]

My father had an Ecko hoodie in his mid to late twenties, when I was little. It was his favorite piece. I just saw it when I rewatched a movie where they had one. I think it deserves a comeback and today you would stick out with one, since nobody has one, at least where I’m from.

[@r3games1985]

Walmart is stocking them everywhere.

[@fatiheroglu382]

I am from Germany and I haven’t seen any of them in Europe since I don’t know when. Maybe they are mainly in the US.

[@airboruto23]

where I live I've seen quite alot of people rock ecko including myself. i was a baby when it was a poppin brand but, its slowly coming back. 😂

[@conorbrandonbyrne8669]

​@@fatiheroglu382 I live in Ireland and they was huge here back in the day everyone had a tracksuit

[@bigben1986]

Your dad and I probably wore Ecko at the same time. let me guess, you're 23 and dad is 51? cause that's my daughters age and mines lol

[@nateeffects3121]

I rocked it in the 90s and I still do in 2024. I just like the look and feel of ecko.

[@r3games1985]

Ya you can't beat a classic.

[@bullettomy7thheart]

Facts

[@blacklegacyassets]

Me too

[@shaun2318]

I always liked south pole

[@TeknMuhHand]

U smoke hardball huh

[@kendrah1616]

Ecko used to be top tier

[@Traceghostcoasttocoast]

No they never was sir it was always cheap and tacky clothes that's losers was wear echo never got respect in game fr

[@JamesSnow-v8c]

@@Traceghostcoasttocoastlosers was wear? Is English your first language?

[@Traceghostcoasttocoast]

@@JamesSnow-v8c I assume you was one of those losers walking around with rhino on the side of your shirt huh with the matching hat lmao

[@deframon]

Stussy?

[@benmisner6457]

U could tell the jeans and hoodies were well made. Great brand imo. I still have a few hoodys and track jackets I cant throw because there to well made. Do I wear them no but I get get rid of them either

[@Graff_w33DandM0D3L0S]

Me at 18 years old in 2024 wearing my ecko baggys watching this right now 😂

[@takeflight2142]

😂

[@Chrispy]

take them hoes off 😭😭😭😹

[@mrog45cap]

What are baggys and are you a Mexican immigrant

[@Twistandgouk]

Be from USA them lot love to look homeless in baggy clothes

[@Yourmomgoestocolledge]

The fuck are baggys? Baggy pants? Yall are rtrded.

[@nbarealtalker]

Ecko was the hottest brand around the millennium. That Rhino was a symbol of drip. I remember a buddy of mine was the first to get any and he got the shoes, the jeans, the red shirt and the red hat. But within 2 years, everyone had that stuff and it was everywhere.

[@izzyharbourcity7880]

Who remembers ecko releasing the Gunit line in 2003 😊..and bro I wish I saved most of their old t-shirts....some prints were insane

[@DoubleSmac10]

I thought g-unit was its own? Or was that before

[@izzyharbourcity7880]

@DoubleSmac10 before

[@lbis4123]

Yup! I wish i had all my old gunit stuff

[@HiGHtoshi]

Echo with baggy jeans and AF1’s lows was the fit🫡🍻🇯🇵

[@rickybaez2970]

36 year old i still wear ecko found a dope ass jacket for 15 $ at ross😅 its a blessing

[@thedumbnicname]

Ecko was my shit!!! I still have prices from the early 2000s in my closet. As much as i liked Ecko, i loved their Cut & Sew line.

[@VinnyHasKnees]

The Cut & Sew line is what got me into Ecko, the best designs for sure

[@jeanemlicar]

I still rock Ecko Unltd today even though I miss his old school graphic designs

[@RoaddogRoaddog]

Wore a lot of Ecko late 90’s and early 2000’s. Definitely had the best designs and quality. Ecko, Enyce, and Mecca were my favorites back in the day.

[@chicofromph33nix64]

Dont forget Fubu😂😂😂.. I wore only ecko,interstate,dickies,and ben Davis back then

[@botza5162]

Before ECHO their was AND1 n LUGZ . Must do a episode on AND1! (THANKS)..

[@573semobulls3]

And1😂

[@007JNR]

End1 😦

[@demetriharlan5887]

AND1

[@Sukiyaki3174]

Ecko was king in the 2000’s. I remember the quality was top tier. And remember the Big Watches? I had a collection of watches. And the Mark Ecko line was dope for the grown man look.

[@efrainbarraza3301]

I got my popz one of those watches he still rocks it

[@joelashadali]

These lines all wound up the same way. Oversaturation=greed=end of it being special Marc was a visionary...but definitely bite off more than he could chew and overspent. His NYC sales headquarters was absolutely insane. He also launched another line than was called Ecko Cut n Sew It was very successful for my store. It was more grown up looks. When it launched they were giving their best retailers beautiful and definitely very expensive store fixtures for the brand. The company always took great care of us their accounts. Reps were great as well. Iconic really took it on the chin with purchases like rocawear,Ecko and mossimo. I was in men's retail from 87 until 2013. Great times,amazing stories and people. Pretty much all gone now. Much of it because of fast fashion....cheap stuff

[@Hustlerclub203]

I can’t agree one thing about hip hop fashion is once it becomes mainstream the culture wants nothing to do with it….so with all fashions it’s just trends

[@aaronberry4125]

Underground Airplay bangs to this day. Ecko had the underground on lock early 2000s

[@osmodivs]

That was my favorite brand in the late 90s, I had a hoodie that lasted me at least 20 years, I gave it away about 5 years ago...

[@Tony-q6k]

I used to love the ads in the Source and XXL back in the day. Mos Def, Prince Paul, Pharaoh Monch etc. I definitely remember using them to make collages for my notebooks haha. Shout out to the '99& the 2000

[@CONNECTELECTRIC]

Every Friday after payday was a Brand new Ecko for me back in the days. Now I shop for *"DEPEND's"* on sale and feel confident.

[@anthonywest8446]

Ecko was Dope! Was big in L.A. salute to them!

[@spyder718]

Still have original Echo gear from 30 years ago before the name changed to Ecko.....might rock the Stretch & Bobbito Echo tee after watching this - IYKYK

[@GattoriSancho]

This made me wanna wear some Ecko again

[@DialougeIsNeeded]

Oh man, in 2000-2003, if you were wearing Ecko (in South Florida, at least), you were instantly popular. haha

[@BAYOUBOOM]

I had a pair of Ecko shoes back in 2000.🔥

[@GemmyWantMore]

That Marc Ecko Cut & Sew was 🔥🔥🔥

[@skeamrivera192]

For sure people still remember the classic eckō cap , yes yes that cap , the one with eckō logo in front then metal tab at side

[@lomasticas8720]

Ecko was a huge part of my childhood and teen years

[@49ers_red_and_gold2]

Here, because I just bought myself some dope Ecko sweatpants.

[@jermaineartis4323]

Ecko still makes great, comfortable sweats!

[@asvp_m3l]

I remember this brand was when I was growing up, seeing an actual storefront of it a mall I would go to. I never really walked in since the clothes weren't really my style at the time, as I wasn't into streetwear yet, and I was quite young, so their clothes wouldn't fit me. This brand really was THE definitive streetwear before the streetwear of today. The 2000s were really an iconic era.

[@RS7RV]

Ecko was the shit. My middle school and early high school years

[@ColbyWatt-qt7ru]

Ecko was big when I was in high school, and looked dope. I remember there was a knockoff brand around called “Exco” too. I knew it was absolutely over when I saw Ecko stuff in Walmart. Won’t lie though, I bought 2 pair of basketball shorts for when I’m doing dirty work in the summer. Still comfortable and fit good, and if you tear them or get paint on them, it doesn’t matter.

[@Dante9k]

i like these series, it really brings alot of perspective to my younger years. i remember my dad was trying to say that Phat Farms and Zoo York were STILL in fashion. he grew up in the late 80's New York. makes sense lol. that was around the time of taylor gang/swag era snapbacks and elite nike socks

[@Gameforsale]

Bro you forgot the camo shorts and chucks 😂

[@ViraL_FootprinT.ex.e]

I do remember going on vacations to places, and even living in places where Ecko was still being worn long after it fell out of fashion from my hometown. Same thing happen with Parasuco and some other brands I'd noticed.

[@metal_]

Yo this a great video bro, underrated

[@takeflight2142]

Thx fam glad you enjoyed

[@knighter2776]

Mark eckos getting up taught me how to do graffiti with stencils and about the graffiti lifestyle it was a great game and great brand

[@JohnDoeTube]

I remember seeing ecko everywhere at local department stores when I was young and always thought it was corny or just some random brand. Now that I’m older and being into graffiti I have more respect for the brand especially finding out they made the graffiti game. This week I saw through a window at a random clothing store near my house ecko unlimited boots, I was so surprised so I’m going to go check those out. I haven’t seen the brand anywhere in years. Shot for the video! Coming from South Africa🇿🇦

[@takeflight2142]

Thx fam great to see we have viewers all over the world ✌🏽

[@jemhollanders8024]

Nailed it. We must be a similar age, I’m 24 and same I used to see this stuff and I always thought it looked so corny I had no idea the history until I watched this video. Pretty similar to when I see DC, Hurley, or DGK today

[@karsisonline]

20 here, I always liked Ecko, as a skater it’s intertwined, and it’s also like a gateway into the 2000’s

[@crpsght]

can you do a video about southpole brand please? by the way your videos are cool

[@takeflight2142]

Thx glad you enjoyed, we plan to do all the older brands soon. Stay tuned

[@lucag.lisickza425]

south pole fell too sadly

[@ChamP10nk1ng]

With all fairness Ecko has survived FAR longer that its competition like Fubu, Mecca, Maurice Malone, Phat Farm, Pelle Pelle, Delinquent, Pepe Jeans, Karlito Kani, Cross Colours, South Pole, Willie Esco, etc.

[@autochthonoushistory101]

It actually didn’t last longer than Fubu or Mecca.Karl Kani has a made resurgence since leaving.Fubu has also came back.Pelle Pelle never went out of style.Ecko was cool for a few years then it was out of style.I can’t think of anybody who had money in the streets who wore it.Most of their sales were coming from their outlet

[@ChamP10nk1ng]

@autochthonoushistory10 depends on where in the U.S you are referring to. (Now I am not talking about "hype" apparel) But you can go to any factory or Mall here in the East Coast. & you'll catch alot of Latinos (& trust me there's many) wearing Ecko for over 25 yrs. It became economic apparel which def still sells. (LRG aswell)

[@LuckyDineroTv]

That’s crazy. I didn’t know he owns complex dope!!!

[@makssonsse]

I recently found a Ecko t-shirt from the local attic sale store, I wanted to know what I was wearing, thank you for this video !

[@valentinfuentes4349]

Ecko was my one of my Favorite along with Triple Five Soul, UFO. I loved the Black Rhino Exhibit collection

[@DW-xk6cq]

Big fan right until the end! T-shirts hoodies and sweatshirts we're really cool at a good price! Even the cologne smelled pretty good 🤣🤣🤣

[@joelashadali]

That showroom in NYC was incredible. He came out with a cleaner more upscale line called Echo Cut n Sew that sold really well between 2006- 2009.

[@drugreen2526]

I will still buy Ekco or Zoo York if a design catches my eye.

[@brianly6305]

I loved this brand. I used to buy Ecko and South Pole at my local Mervyn's back in the 2000s lol

[@jernarddavis7206]

I'm still a huge fan of Marc ecko in 2025 and still rocking it till this day.

[@rickb7561]

Peak Echo...knitted sweaters and the Marvel colab...still got the black, red, and yellow Rhino that NAS wore in Belly...

[@lunydolezal9906]

Back in the late 90's early 2000's the rave scene was flooded with echo kids. Echo had the best track jackets that have ever come out. At one point I owned 10 of them. No one, I mean no one, to this day, can match.

[@tonybony8199]

From germany bro 😊 nice video

[@ironleeFPS]

I still think they’re kind of cool. Reminds me of the times running around doing graffiti in the 90’s. I still have a couple tshirts from them.

[@DEEJAYAIR]

Ecko was made with good material,I still rock it

[@roshaunepperson1517]

Had the Ecko Punisher shirt back in the day with the rhino charging through the Punisher logo. Was my favorite shirt

[@davidg4299]

Found a new very well designed ECKO UNLTD hoodie. Probably from last years inventory. So I picked it up!

[@aribus2019]

I was big into graffiti when I was in high school, so naturally I bought and played Getting Up later on when I was in college and I liked it. I still have the art book and hard case from the edition I bought way back then.

[@blacklegacyassets]

🔥

[@JohnJohn_805]

Marc Ecko Cut and Sew was my jam

[@EneeOneMusic]

I was a huge Echo Unlimited supporter! I still some old gear from a Hip Hop shop my family owned back in the day. I think they started to go downhill for me when they changed the spelling to Ecko. The original had nostalgia to it. They would give to an album called Underground Airplay with a purchase of a t shirt! I remember Biggie & Craig Mack had a song on one!

[@PEST__]

Getting up was a dope game..as a writer this was my favorite game and I hoped for a getting up 2

[@Central9er]

I'm from da 90'$ I remember going out flossing ecko gear much respect 🙏 🫡

[@ttemplarknightt309]

I still rock the sliver dog tag with the clock in it 👍🏼

[@contentgod06]

Good find in my feed randomly and I like the topics and indepth production on the golden era of streetware fashion and brands, keep it up...One of my all time favorite brands was Karl Kani! Nobody knew how to pronounce it just knew the squiggly sig on back pocket, when it first drop 😛...Fully 💯💪🏽

[@D00M3R-SK8]

I had some Ecko stuff in the early 00's. Was pretty big in the Drum and Bass scene, in the UK.

[@claypoole702]

I still have some Ecko in my closet. Some of their button shirts are fire and comfortable. I'm all about comfort.

[@R0ll_lex]

I was a big fan and still am . Icon 4 ever !!

[@lowbudgetsportsbets8340]

Still wear it and pick it up from ROSS and Burlington. It's still quality

[@Kreativelife-e9g]

No one wore more ecko than me. I was at macys every time it dropped

[@qhorton6743]

I was a fan way back and still am when I can find some of their apparel at one of my local Burlington's. I do avoid the super gaudy tees though lol.. they do put out some nice thermals for the winter

[@landsharkbang]

😂😂😂. I'm glad I listened before I talked. I'm like Ecko literally unalived themselves with wack designs. Bout time I got to highschool in 03 it was a wrap. 😂. Just like you said towards the end 🔥🔥🔥💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿

[@HaightTheGreat]

I still own several pairs of Echo jeans. The game was dope and ahead of it's time.

[@King313Photography]

Marc Ecko cut & sew was dope

[@G.Martinez916]

Ecko had good quality I still wear a Ecko raincoat thats 10+ years old to work sometimes it had like a built in backpack that can unzip across your back that was hidden

[@roberttorres4893]

YOOOO @9:39 SQUID GAMES ? Red hoodie with black mask with a white square.

[@stevenotero2627]

Ecko's Cut & Sew line was dope. If you know you know. 😎🎭✌️

[@BrianButler-s8g]

People following trends that's why I'm not a follower I still support ecko salute Mark Ecko for dope fashions

[@pcific2bspcific649]

The quality was at the highest notch! Durable and stylish with good color scheme! Sucks it went down

[@fr00tloops]

The Rhino was everywhere in the 90s! Everywhere you went you saw the animal, whether at forest cafe and what have it

[@StandingO123]

The early Echō shirts were my favorite.

[@rickyggirett9646]

Marc sold the company . He made millions . Ecko was the best brand man .

[@senseruthless6033]

Getting up video game is straight 🔥

[@user-freeone74]

I still rock Echo. Lot29 was my shit too back in the day.

[@mikeya8725]

Mannn, ecko still raw as hell to me.

[@DanielCruz-o3x]

His cut and sew line was pretty sick too

[@sumosupremeking360]

I used to rock Ecko hard

[@SireOnesixone]

Yes I was one of the fortunate ones that owned a hard copy of Mark eckoes getting up under pressure video game for the Xbox. Atari needs to remake for the New Gen consoles.

[@edgybarbie77]

I still have some early 2000s Ecko Red sneakers in the original box. Stuff now just isn't made like it used to be.

[@dannypimentel7397]

mannnng shitttt i used to go to Eckō store right on the outlets here in massachusetts and get fresh with dem thangs man they were the shits back then i remember like if it was today today yo

[@the300mexican9]

Getting up best video game every💪🏽

[@christopheralvarez3452]

They were the best when they used Marvel comic characters! Those shirts were fire

[@jimmyjay689]

Loved this Brand in 2000

[@CarlosMartinez-db3qh]

I was copping Ecko at Ross back in 96 97 when nobody knew what is was.

[@TheSelectajrich]

I was definitely rocking Ecko from the beginning. Lately they are trying to make a comeback check the website they have new drops.

[@_since8688]

I grew up wearin ecko🙌🏽

[@jbalien20]

I'm playing the game now. I'm enjoying it.

[@MBryy]

Me too

[@wileycoyote4206]

Used to rock 🎸 ECĶó religiously & TRIBAL ⭐️🌟street wear!!!!! 💯💸🌊😎😱🤤🤤🤤

[@demetriharlan5887]

That GQ scissor line and that Marvel line he had was the shyt.

[@terrionlacy976]

I remember how the brand changed in design...When it became Ecko Unltd it was no longer fresh and more kmartish. Kind of like Fubu did... I miss Mecca, Enyce, Davouche, and IceBerg so dam much

[@pauljudah1235]

Ekco was life for my best friend and I when I was a teen

[@baileyIrishCream6984]

I was a fan Ecko in the day in fact i am truning 40 this year and i still wear Ecko clothing if i like it but the honest reason i am here is because i seen Ecko being sold in wal-mart some of it looks nice its the one i still buy now like i said i been wesring Ecko since i was a teenager but i guess i got my answers as to why its in wal-mart because its everywere now and easy to get its not completely cheap tho but it was more expensive back in the day 🤷‍♂️😎

[@takeflight2142]

Dam I didn’t know they were in Walmart now too. I’ve seen Neff in there too. Sad.

[@baileyIrishCream6984]

@takeflight2142 I know I knew something was wrong but in a way I am glad so I can pick up a few here and there if I like the clothes they got but I don't wear it like I use to as in lots and lots of Ecko clothes just some of the long shirts and sweat pants I like 🤷‍♂️

[@PLAYANAWF]

Ecko fell off with the designs, it got wack. Should off kept it classic like supreme. Too saturated, the rhino tee could have been the supreme logo shirt if it were released that way. It was too available and tried to sell products way too fast.

[@gregorydeleon8394]

I remember right before they shut it down in my hometown they had a deal if u got the ecko symbol tatted I think it was like 15-20% off for life lol