The Zoo Crew Story
The Zoo Crew brand was a 1980’s and 1990’s classic, with distribution in over 2,000 Kmart stores nationwide. The adorably cute and funny characters, flattering cuts, trendy designs and humble price point made them a staple in closets across the US.
Created and produced by Mike Harvitz in the early 1980’s in Seattle, WA through his companies SeaBell Sportswear & Oasis Apparel, Zoo Crew was made to be a mass market line of fun fashion items for consumers of any age. Mike believed in creating products that people could afford, look great in, and enjoy, appealing to their fashion sense, pocketbook, and also to their hearts.
He was extremely successful in executing his vision. It’s impossible to look at a Zoo Crew design without smiling, or to wear a shirt without thinking, ‘This fits great! What a deal!’. The go-to tops and tees were casual yet stylish, perfect with cotton shorts, denim skirts, shorts or jeans, or under a denim jacket - blending seamlessly with the standard wardrobe of the era, and enduring in popularity well into the 1990s.
Mike sadly passed away in 1987 at the tender age of 34, but production of Zoo Crew continued into the late 1990’s. Even after Zoo Crew was no longer available in stores, Mike’s legacy lived on in the timeless brand, and fans remained devoted.
Many customers across the US cherished their beloved Zoo Crew T-shirts, which they bought most likely at Kmart for less than $15 dollars, keeping them to the present day. As apparel merchandise sales markets have evolved, particularly in the pandemic, more and more vintage sellers have popped up on the web selling direct to customers without a retail venue middle man. In this trend, Zoo Crew has re-emerged as a cult classic, becoming a hot commodity to consumers of all ages again, on sites like DePop, Etsy & Ebay.
Today, Mike’s daughter Adrienne Harvitz is bringing back the brand with a vintage revival clothing line, selling directly to consumers through this online storefront.
“More than anything I want to do this to remember and celebrate my Dad & his vision. I also want to bring back this brand that people loved so much. Zoo Crew was so wholesome and sweet, in today’s world we need more simple goodness like silly animals in sunglasses. We’re taking things one step at a time rebuilding this family business, honoring its legacy and having some fun too. Enjoy!”
- Adrienne