The origin story of the Origin Hoodie

Back in 1966, we were a one-man band making kids' formal clothing. Business grew steadily through department stores and specialist shops.

By the late 80's the writing was on the wall—department stores were closing. It was time to pivot.

We took fleece fabric from Manukau Knitting Mills and Designer Textiles, knitted right here in Auckland, and started making crew neck sweatshirts for schools and teams.

Production was proper hands-on: Cut fabric on our 7-metre table, bundle it up, drive across town to outworkers who stitched from home. Then back again to collect, pack and dispatch nationwide.

A new trend emerges

The message was clear—people wanted hoods on their sweatshirts.

So we made them too.

Years of experimentation followed. Plenty of made-to-order garments. But a pattern emerged—customers kept gravitating to particular weights, cuts and trims.

So we listened. We combined that feedback with 40 years of manufacturing know-how, and in 2000, today's Origin was born.

No fancy product code back then. Just 'standard hoodie' to distinguish it from the custom ones.

And a journey since

Twenty-five years later, today's Origin barely resembles that first standard hoodie. The early ones wore our old 'Aurora' brand name, as you can see above.

We've made countless improvements. Thicker, heavier, warmer. The fit has evolved more than once. Drawcords, eyelets, seams—all refined over the years. Even the fabric blend changed.

Then came 2020, yes Covid time. Our biggest innovation yet: 3-end fleece fabric. Pre-shrunk, anti-pill and brilliant for printing.

Problems solved

We set out to solve a bunch of issues, and in the process, to create the best hoodie we possibly could.

Pilling?  Prints that fade or crack?  Our 100% combed cotton outer is naturally resistant to pilling. And the tight, smooth knit makes for a superb print surface, ensuring your designs look great, wash after wash.

Shrinkage that ruins the fit?   Behind that cotton outer is a polyester filament. This is the magic ingredient that makes your garment last much longer, with minimal shrinkage and maximum shape retention.

Comfort that's lacking? The fluffy cotton/polyester interior is brushed smooth and is warm and gentle against your skin.

25 years of listening

So here we are, 25 years after that first standard hoodie. We could tell you about celebrity endorsements we may or may not have had, but let's cut to the chase.

The Origin has had quite a ride.

Every suggestion, every "if only it could..." has been woven into what Origin is today. This hoodie learned from you, grew with you, and now wraps you in that familiar warmth of quality done right.

Try one. You'll feel the difference 25 years of listening makes.

The quality behind yours. Since 1966.