Echo Design Group history

By 1929, Echo had established itself successfully in the marketplace, enabling the company to survive the Great Depression.

In 1956, Paul Roberts, Edgar C. Hyman’s son-in-law, was tasked with transporting Echo’s fall line from the Italian factories back to New York.

In 1968 a museum commissioned the company to create a commemorative scarf, and out of this assignment emerged a customer design division.

In 1973 the company began to do some private-label work.

But it was a cyclical business and the good times came to an end in 1978, followed by an equally long period of poor sales.

1983: The company begins selling in Europe.

A partnership was forged with Polo/Ralph Lauren in 1984 and Echo became the sole scarf licensee for all brands.

In 1986 the company reorganized its marketing approach by creating three product groups, each targeting a different customer with a separate marketing campaign.

In 1987 Echo also added a lower price point to the mix through a licensing agreement with Sarah Coventry, Inc.

To help facilitate this move, the company began investing in computer-aided design (CAD), installing a lone work station in 1989.

In 1993, in fact, Roberts and Williams would become co-presidents of the firm, although blood would in the end win out and Roberts ultimately emerged as the firm's lone president.

The company also grew through acquisition in 1997, when it acquired Schertz Umbrellas, a 50-year-old company that focused on men's umbrellas under the names Tundara, Travelaire, Jewels, and Weather Original.

Coinciding with its 75th anniversary in 1998, the company also tried its hand at publishing.

1999: A retail store in Hong Kong opens.

In 2003 Echo added to its home textile product offerings through a licensing agreement with Creative Bath Products, which would produce shower curtains, towels, bathroom accessories, and decorative pillows under the Echo Design Collection.