Jordache originated in 1969, when Israeli brothers Joe, Ralph, and Avi Nakash (Naccache) opened a store in New York City that sold premium jeans. Inspired by European fashions, the brothers had developed a groundbreaking collection with a signature fit that was tight and sexy. Business expanded over the years, until the store was looted and set ablaze during the New York City blackout of 1977. In 1978, after they collected $120,000 from their insurance policy, they incorporated their business and started to manufacture. They had long been interested in the European denim market, where jeans were more body-conscious and fashion-forward.