Marc Louis Ecko (né Milecofsky; August 29, 1972) is an American fashion designer, entrepreneur, and artist. He is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of fashion company Ecko Unlimited. He also founded Complex magazine in 2002.
| Known for | Founding Ecko Unltd. and Complex |
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What is Marc Ecko’s Net Worth?
Marc Ecko is an American fashion designer and entrepreneur who has a net worth of $100 million. Marc Ecko is best known for founding the urban fashion company Ecko Unlimited. Originally associated with hip hop and skate culture in the 1990s, the company moved into the mainstream in the early 21st century. Among his other ventures, Ecko founded Complex magazine.
Early Life and Education
Marc Ecko was born as Marc Milecofsky on August 29, 1972 in Livingston, New Jersey to a real estate broker mother and a pharmacist father. He is Jewish, and was raised in suburban Lakewood with his twin Marci and his older sister Shari. As a teenager, he went to Lakewood High School. For his higher education, he attended Rutgers University, and in 1996, legally changed his surname to Ecko, based on his home nickname “Echo.” During this time, he did graffiti and practiced drawing. In his third year at Rutgers, Ecko was encouraged by the school’s dean to take a year off to pursue his art.
Ecko entered Rutgers University‘s School of Pharmacy in New Brunswick, New Jersey after high school. During his time in college he painted graffiti and practiced drawing, taking “Ecko” for his name. In his third year, the school’s dean encouraged Ecko to take a year off and pursue art.
Ecko Unlimited
In 1993, Ecko founded his own fashion company, Ecko Unlimited, which began as a T-shirt business. Among his early clients were filmmaker Spike Lee and rapper Chuck D, who helped bring needed attention to the brand. Ecko’s business was also featured on the television show “Good Morning America.”
The company grew in popularity throughout the 1990s as it became a favorite brand of hip hop enthusiasts and skateboarders. Expanding beyond T-shirts, it began offering jackets, hoodies, sneakers, and jeans, among other streetwear and accessories. With a rhino as its logo, Ecko Unlimited became known for its bold graphic designs and graffiti-inspired look. It branched out into the mainstream in the early 21st century, and acquired such companies as Avirex and Zoo York.
In 2009, Ecko Unlimited had over $1 billion in global revenue and stood as the largest streetwear brand. Also that year, 51% of Ecko was acquired by the Iconix Brand Group fr $63.5 million. In 2013 Iconix bought the remaining 49%.
Career
In 1993, Ecko started Ecko Unltd. as a T-shirt company, with small investments from his sister and a friend, Seth Gerszberg. He traveled to Hong Kong to learn about the clothing industry. Early clients Spike Lee and Chuck D helped bring attention to his fledgling business, as did a Good Morning America segment that featured his T-shirt designs. The company expanded further into hip-hop and skater styles, and began to sport a rhinoceros logo.
Ecko’s businesses have expanded to include Complex magazine, video and social gaming, and venture capital.
Ecko was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA); the youngest designer to do so. Since 2010, he has been a member of the Emeritus Board.
In 2008, he created the new jackets for the Iron Chefs on Iron Chef America.
Published work
On October 1, 2013, Ecko released an autobiographical business book, Unlabel: Selling You Without Selling Out, which offers advice on entrepreneurship and personal branding.
Personal life
Ecko is Jewish. In 2000, Ecko married Allison Rojas. They have three children and live in Bernardsville, New Jersey.
In 2011, Ecko started Unlimited Justice, a social activism campaign which opposed corporal punishment in U.S. schools.
He has supported a number of charities and organisations, including raising money for the Tikva Children’s Home in Odesa, Ukraine
New Jersey Mansion
In 2005 Marc and Allison paid $7.4 million for an historic 30,000 square foot mansion set on 32 acres in Bernardsville, New Jersey. They proceeded to perform a major restoration on the home, which was built in 1886 for an associate of the Astor family. They reportedly spent more than $20 million on renovations. In June 2023 the Eckos listed the home for sale for $13.7 million. Here is a video tour of the mansion:
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