Jonathan Koon

Jonathan Koon is a Chinese American entrepreneur, designer, photographer, artist and manufacturing guru known for making millions at the age of 16. Koon is referred to as the “Golden Child” due to his 18-karat gold business cards.

Early Career

Koon was born in 1983 in Queens, New York, the only child of immigrant parents from Hong Kong. Always a straight-A student, Koon placed into New York’s esteemed Stuyvesant High School.

In 1998, as a 15-year old in high school, Koon launched Extreme Performance Motorsports, which is now recognized for being one of the first and premier companies to import the auto tuning industry and lifestyle to the United States. By age 16, Koon had opened wholesale accounts with Asian auto distributors importing custom body kits, aftermarket wheels and rims, stereo systems, and other specialized accessories. In Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine, Koon describes the import movement and culture to "a virus that spread." He struck a fair amount of success very quickly and made millions within a year. That same year, Koon won first place in the National Spanish Examinations head by AATSP. In 2004, while studying at Georgetown University, entrepreneur and designer Koon took his storefront one step further, now into manufacturing by partnering with a factory in China and creating his first global brand, Koonichi. Under Koonichi, Koon invented and patented creative automotive parts and accessories such as “Dubz Spinning Rim” car air freshener, which was the recipient of 2 international SEMA awards for “Best New Product” of the year. He subsequently launched other iconic auto accessories such as Sparkz, Klipz, and Ionik. To meet production demands, Koon soon built himself an extensive network of production facilities across Asia. While in China, he taught himself Cantonese, in which he is now fluent.

In 2005, Koon graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University with a double-major in International Business and Management and a double-minor in Art and Music.

Koonichi continues to distribute worldwide in over 20 countries.

Manufacturing and Licensing

As the youngest Chinese-American in manufacturing, doors quickly opened for Koon into garments. Bilingual and bicultural, Koon’s aptitude for business, sharp design sense, and drive to figure out how things are made sparked two new companies.

In 2007, Jon established Option Manufacturing Group, manufactured product for top brands such as Rocawear, LRG, Play Cloths and others. In addition, Option ran OEM or private label programs for mega-retailers Walmart, Costco, and Federated Department Stores. His other company, Koon Enterprises, is a clothing licensing company that owned and operated the licenses to 8732, Akedemiks, Pro-Keds, State Property, Unionbay, and others.

Fashion Design

8732

In 2008, Koon purchased street wear brand 8732 from Jay-Z at ROC Apparel Group. With platinum recording artist Young Jeezy as 8732 Apparel Ltd’s exclusive partner, Koon built the company to over $40 million in annual sales, while increasing profitability by 500% during the recession. Under Koon’s direction, 8732 became one of the top selling street wear brands in the U.S., distributing to over 800 retail doors nationwide.

The clothing company now falls under the umbrella of Tykoon Brand Holdings, which is based in his native Queens, N.Y. The 27-person, privately held company, Koon claims, is worth $80 million.

Domenico Vacca

Soon after joining 8732, Koon's obsession with car parts was replaced by street fashion. In particular, Koon was interested in denim. In an interview with Timeout New York’s Closet Case, Koon revealed a library of nearly 2,000 pairs of jeans. Koon traveled through Europe and Asia to scrutinize local styles and learned how to distress jeans at a denim washing house in Japan. Koon's curiosity soon led him to start creating one-off trousers for pop stars in Hong Kong and Tokyo.

In 2010, Jon Koon’s partnered with iconic luxury designer Domenico Vacca, to launch Vacca’s first sportswear collection, “Domenico Vacca Denim”. Domenico Vacca, known as the suiting clothier of the red carpet, dressed the likes of Denzel Washington, Al Pacino, and Jeremy Piven. As the designer of Domenico Vacca Denim, Koon was able to express his lifestyle and passion for timeless fashion through his designs, establishing a cult following amongst celebrities and industry insiders.

Private Stock

After two successful partnerships, designer Jon Koon launched his personal, luxury lifestyle brand, Private Stock. As the name suggests, Private Stock suggests something exclusive, tucked away for those in the know and have the means to afford it. Fusing the East and West, Private Stock is “when Europe met Japan, got married in Hong Kong and took a honeymoon in New York City” and represents Koon’s vision of tomorrow’s global fashion house.

Private Stock products use rare fabrics from around the world, fine hardware, and precise details using extremely difficult production techniques. The custom weaved Japanese denim, waterproof Italian deerskin shorts, Swiss-made complicated movement watches, and Italian cashmere jackets combine the luxury of simplicity with innovative global-inspired styling.

In April 2013, Private Stock opened a critically acclaimed “anti-retail” flagship store at the historical location 76 Wooster, the last home and studio of Andy Warhol. The intention behind the store is to create a retail experience distinct from any other, an “amuseum” (part museum, part amusement park) with a sense of discovery in the environment as well as in its fashion. The 5000 sq ft stark white store expands over two floors and reflects the sensibilities and creative vision of the Private Stock world. Inside, white lacquer, white leather, white paint, white hand blown glass, and white fabrics are paired with futuristic chrome and mirror accents and warm hand stained white oak floors. On June 7, 2013, Koon’s flagship was named “New York’s Most Extravagant Store” by Refinery 29.

Career

• 1998 – Extreme Performance Motorsports, Custom Automotive Body Detailing & More
  
• 11/2002 – Option Manufacturing Group, Sourcing Company of Accessories for Private Labels
  
• 07/2004 – Koonichi, Koonichi Dubz Spinning Rim Air Freshener, 2006 Winner of the International New Product Award for France & Spain at the SEMA Show. (SEMA Show the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world)
  
• 01/2007 – Koon Enterprises, Licensing Company
• Licensing:

• 8732
• Akademiks
• Unionbay
• State Property
• PRO-Keds

• 06/2008 – Young Jeezy 8732 Apparel, Recording Artist Young Jeezy’s Apparel Line
• 01/2010 – DV Denim, Domenico Vacca’s Denim Sportswear Collection
• 09/2010 – Tykoon Brand Holdings, Apparel Company of several brands
• 02/2011 - Private Stock, Koon’s lifestyle brand that is inspired by a global perspective on progressive fashion, style and art
• 02/2013 – Mostly Heard Rarely Seen, High-Street Fashion Label designed with Thomas ‘Tomakira’ Li
• 04/2013 – Private Stock Soho , Brand’s Retail Boutique in Soho, NY

References

Sources
'The Fresh Prince of Streetwear', Bloomberg Businessweek
'The Young Millionaires Club', CNBC 'A Hide-Out from the Ordinary', New York Times
'Paying Hard to Get', New York Times
'Private Stock Store Opening', Refinery29.com
'Closet Case: Jon Koon', Time Out New York
'Future of Fashion Summit: Participants', Sportswear International
'Jon Koon Breaks the Mold with Private Stock Flagship', Women's Wear Daily