Founder, Koos Manufacturing Inc.
THE LATEST: Ku’s denim brand AG Jeans in March launched a new water-filtration system and plans to use only recycled water in its L.A. and Mexico factories. Ku says the new technology will reduce the company’s water usage to 1,200 gallons from 380,000 gallons per day. The company also launched an AG Jeans capsule collection to benefit international nonprofit Water For People.
BACKGROUND: Ku founded Koos Manufacturing, which calls itself the only vertically integrated jeans factory on the West Coast, in 1985. The company has facilities in South Gate and Mexico. Ku created a jeans brand with Adriano Goldschmied, co-creator of Diesel, in 2000.
WORTH NOTING: Ku’s son Samuel, who previously served as president and creative director of AG Jeans, launched his own brand, CQY, for spring 2019. It’s sold at stores such as Barneys New York, Ron Herman, American Rag and Elyse Walker.
YEARS ON THE LA500: 1
