Knickerbocker’s design is rooted in sensibility. The brand has always been drawn to utilitarian style for its emphasis on function and purpose. They value pieces that tell a story, and are designed to be worn, lived in, and passed down. While the way we dress has evolved, the spirit of utility remains at the heart of American style—and at the core of what Knickerbocker creates.

*Knickerbocker’s New York flagship at Canal Street*

Grounded in a technical background and a deep respect for tradition, Knickerbocker designs with purpose, using carefully sourced materials and meticulous craftsmanship to create clothing that's designed for the modern environment.

At Knickerbocker, every detail matters—including the packaging. Just like the garments, it’s chosen with care—meant to carry the brand’s spirit from the shop floor to the streets. In this feature, we sit down with founder Andrew Livingston to talk about where it all began, what drives the brand forward, and the everyday inspirations—both personal and professional—that shape Knickerbocker’s world, right down to the bag you take home.

Tell us a bit about your brand.

We’re a menswear brand based in New York. We got our start in manufacturing before anything else, and that’s shaped much of our approach or ethos around the business. We’ve always kept close to the process. We take a lot of pride in the relationships we have with our mills and factories, and that’s had a big impact on our purpose and our goal of making clothes that are well made, useful, and meant to last.

When it comes to design, we’ve always been drawn to military, workwear, outdoor, and sportswear—things made with real intention that just come across as honest. A lot of our design decisions come from the same mindset we bring to manufacturing: focusing on utility, longevity, and purpose. Those kinds of garments are layered with intention, and that’s what makes them timeless. It’s always felt natural to build from that foundation. A lot of personal references find their way in too—music, art, sports, and things I grew up around that have stuck with me.

I usually say Knickerbocker isn’t a complicated brand. The goal is just to make clothes people can live in and feel good about. I think of it kind of like Italian food: simple and familiar, but with care put into the details. If someone who knows clothing picks up one of our pieces, hopefully they notice the fabric or construction. But even if you know nothing about clothes, I’d like to think you can still feel that it’s something thoughtful and easy to wear.

We’re a small team. My wife and I run it together, and we’ve got a few great people on the retail side. Everyone does a bit of everything. It’s hands-on and personal, and I hope that comes through in what we make.

*Maxine and Andrew Livingston, Knickerbocker’s founders*

Tell us about the design for your packaging and how you’re using them?

When we teamed up with noissue on our packaging, the goal was to reduce waste and create something that felt more like a souvenir from someone’s time in the shop. Before that, we were using some really nice, custom-made paper bags but the reality was, most of them ended up in the trash by the end of the day. We wanted to shift toward something more considered and lasting.

*noissue* *Custom Reusable Totes, designed by* *@knickerbocker*

What made noissue a good fit for your packaging?

Ultimately we partnered up with noissue for the brand's values and the people behind it. Relationships matter a lot to us, and noissue has been great in that regard. They really understand the needs of a small business and have been easy to work with every step of the way.

*noissue* *Custom Reusable Totes, designed by* *@knickerbocker*

Where are you finding inspiration for Knickerbocker and in life at the moment?

Most of my inspiration comes from the community around Knickerbocker. The friends we collaborate with are the ones who push us to keep going and remind us that the brand can serve a purpose beyond just the clothing. We try to make Knickerbocker a bit of a hub whether it’s hosting book launches, gallery shows, or just creating space for people to connect. Our Canal Street Film Festival was set up with the same intention.

At this point, I feel pretty clear on what Knickerbocker is and what it stands for. It’s taken time to get here, but it’s a comforting place to be. We’re happy in our lane, doing right by the people around us and the folks who support us. It’s about growing small, growing responsibly, and letting friends and community help shape what we do. Good friends, both in life and in business, bring out the best in you.

Shop and packaging imagery, photographed by Louise Palmberg (@louisececiliapalmberg)

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