Tony Fernandez: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Tony Fernandez Frame.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Memorial]] | [[File:Tony Fernandez Frame.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Memorial]] | ||
'''Juan Antonio “Tony” Fernandez Jr.''' (August 26, 1966 – August 11, 2021) was an entrepreneur | '''Juan Antonio “Tony” Fernandez Jr.''' (August 26, 1966 – August 11, 2021) was an entrepreneur in Chicago, Illinois. He founded Tony’s Sports, a streetwear clothing and sneaker chain active from the mid-1980s through 2020. Fernandez took over a family shoestore in 1985, rebranding it (originally known as La Moda Sports) and expanding to eight locations across Cabrini‑Green, Hyde Park, the West Side, and Addison Mall. | ||
Tony’s Sports became a cultural hallmark, drawing hip-hop artists like Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, DMX, and Common. The stores were recognized as lively community hubs, often featuring DJs and bringing together youth from across Chicago. | Tony’s Sports became a cultural hallmark, drawing hip-hop artists like Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, DMX, and Common. The stores were recognized as lively community hubs, often featuring DJs and bringing together youth from across Chicago. | ||
Born in Chicago to Spanish and Cuban immigrant parents, Fernandez began working in his father’s shoe stores at age 12. He graduated from Senn High School and later transformed the family business into a streetwear destination, credited by peers as a pioneer in Chicago’s early streetwear scene. Fernandez died at age 54 in Texas due to | Born in Chicago to Spanish and Cuban immigrant parents, Fernandez began working in his father’s shoe stores at age 12. He graduated from Senn High School and later transformed the family business into a streetwear destination, credited by peers as a pioneer in Chicago’s early streetwear scene. Fernandez died at age 54 in Texas due to a drowning in a hotel pool.<ref>https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/8/16/22627540/founder-chicago-streetwear-juan-tony-antonio-fernandez-dead-54-tonys-sports</ref> | ||
[[Category:Entrepreneurs]] | [[Category:Entrepreneurs]] | ||
[[Category:Fashion Designers]] | [[Category:Fashion Designers]] | ||
Revision as of 17:00, 29 July 2025
Juan Antonio “Tony” Fernandez Jr. (August 26, 1966 – August 11, 2021) was an entrepreneur in Chicago, Illinois. He founded Tony’s Sports, a streetwear clothing and sneaker chain active from the mid-1980s through 2020. Fernandez took over a family shoestore in 1985, rebranding it (originally known as La Moda Sports) and expanding to eight locations across Cabrini‑Green, Hyde Park, the West Side, and Addison Mall.
Tony’s Sports became a cultural hallmark, drawing hip-hop artists like Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, DMX, and Common. The stores were recognized as lively community hubs, often featuring DJs and bringing together youth from across Chicago.
Born in Chicago to Spanish and Cuban immigrant parents, Fernandez began working in his father’s shoe stores at age 12. He graduated from Senn High School and later transformed the family business into a streetwear destination, credited by peers as a pioneer in Chicago’s early streetwear scene. Fernandez died at age 54 in Texas due to a drowning in a hotel pool.[1]