History of the brand - TIGI was originally established by a Polish immigrant, Julius Tigner, who set out to make his mark in the rag trade in London’s East End. In 1952 his company TIGNER, ROCHE & Co registered the Trademark “TIGI-WEAR”. Over the next three decades TIGI became a market leader for ladies knitwear, supplying high street chains, independent retailers and market traders across the UK. TIGI was one of the first labels to import knitwear from the Far East during the late 1960’s.

By the late 70’s TIGI appointed Rinku of London (now the Rinku Group) as its wholesale distributor. This business had its humble beginnings on a stall in Widnes Market, near Liverpool in 1964. Over the years this progressed from market trading to standalone retail and then wholesale distribution. In 1981 the Rinku Group acquired the TIGI brand and continued to operate TIGI in much the same way during the 1980’s and 90’s. In 1998 TIGI withdrew from the wholesale sector and opened its first concession in the Hammersmith Co-op. This was a turning point for the brand, proving very successful from the outset and there followed a rapid roll out of the concept, reaching 100 department stores by 2001.