Zoo York, one of the East Coast’s first true street culture inspired lifestyle brands, is releasing the second drop in its series of Zoo York x Founders capsule collections, created in collaboration with the brand’s founders, Rodney Smith, Eli Morgan Gesner and Adam Schatz. Earlier this year, the trio returned to the brand as creative directors. Zoo York is one of almost 30 brands owned by Iconix Brand Group, Inc.

The latest Zoo York x Founders release pays tribute to Harold Hunter, one of New York City’s most talented and respected skateboarders, who was a member of the original Zoo York skate team. Hunter traveled the world with the Zoo York crew and appeared in television shows as well as the cult classic movie, “Kids.” To honor Hunter’s memory, a portion of the proceeds from the collection will be donated to The Harold Hunter Foundation (HHF). HHF is a non-profit, community-based organization headquartered in New York City, that provides a network of support, opportunity, and advocacy for at-risk New York City youth to help them reach their full potential as both skateboarders and young adults. Zoo York has an ongoing relationship with the foundation, with Schatz serving on the board of directors for more than a decade.

The second Zoo York x Founders capsule consists of seven items, with most pieces featuring archival images of Hunter, along with memorable quotes from the legendary skater. Key items are a skate deck featuring Hunter’s image along with the Zoo York and HHF logos, as well as a short-sleeve t-shirt and long-sleeve t-shirt, both emblazoned with Hunter’s image and the quote “The little information I have, that’s what I know.” A hoodie, beanie and booty bag featuring Hunter’s image round out the collection, while a re-issue of a Zoo York crew neck fleece sweatshirt from 1995 with Hunter’s name showcased on the back, gives a nod to the brand’s history. To showcase the collection, Zoo York tapped AJ Rodriguez, a four-time recipient of scholarships for The Harold Hunter Foundation summer camp programs and a newly minted member of the Zoo York skate team.

“It was a life-changing experience,” says Rodriguez about his time in California at the HHF summer camp program. “This mentally opens up kids’ perspectives that these experiences even exist. You meet new friends and the socializing boosts your motivation to keep skating. Zoo York and its founders have carved such an important history and are so respected. It’s an honor to be welcomed into the family,” added Rodriguez.

“Zoo York was such an important part of Harold’s life. We’re thrilled to be working with Zoo’s original management on a special collaboration honoring Harold’s legacy and benefitting HHF,” said Jessica Forsyth, Executive Director of The Harold Hunter Foundation.

The new Zoo York x Founders capsule will be available only through Zoo York’s Instagram page and ZooYork.com, starting on October 22, 2019.

About The Harold Hunter Foundation

​Established in 2007 in memory of legendary skateboarder Harold Hunter, the Harold Hunter Foundation (HHF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, community-based organization headquartered in New York City. Our fundamental goal is to provide a network of support, opportunity, and advocacy for NYC youth so they can reach their full potential as skateboarders and young adults.

For more information, please visit Haroldhunter.org.

About Zoo York

In 1993, three skateboard enthusiasts, Rodney Smith, Eli Morgan Gesner and Adam Schatz, teamed up to develop the East Coast’s first true street culture-inspired lifestyle brand – Zoo York. The trio took creative inspiration from New York City’s rapidly evolving skateboarding, music and art scenes to produce a variety of culturally relevant products that were dark and gritty like New York City. What started off as a simple line of skate decks and t-shirts steadily grew into a full–blown apparel collection that was designed to withstand the city’s rugged terrain. Today, Zoo York is a highly evolved, globally recognized brand with an unbreakable East Coast attitude and dialect. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. acquired Zoo York in 2011.

For more information on Zoo York, please visit ZooYork.com.