1993 - The roots
It was the decade of Nirvana, Sublime and Millencollin, when surfing and skateboarding developed in Europe and we were eaten by the waves of the North Sea for the first time on a specially shaped surfboard. These days were the roots for our journey.
1996 - The daydream
During a surfing trip on the Atlantic coast of southern France, an inspiring daydream under fragrant pine trees brought us this intoxicating brainwave: the dream of our own surf brand.
2002 - The start
During a winter stay on the small Maldivian island of Kuredu, Till and I decided to make this dream come true. With the little money we earned as surf instructors over the winter, we founded the company. It was Till who brought back an Egyptian hookah from a surf trip in Africa, which accompanied us everywhere. Soon we were known as the SHISHA Dudes and we decided to call our brand SHISHA Clothing.
2004 - The search
It was from an old tea chest in our shared flat that we founded the company. We printed our first hoodies on our kitchen table and sold them to local surf stores. Surprisingly, after a short time they called us to order more. We decided to design the perfect surfer hoodie and looked for a small quality manufacturer in Portugal. At this point we weren't ready for the storm, so we asked our genius roommate Kai to help us and join the company. He set up the structure behind the brand.
2006 - The journey
The first years of SHISHA Clothing took our VW bus all over Northern Europe, from surf stores to parties, from beaches to trade fairs. The reputation of our SHISHA hoodies grew quickly, and so did the demand. Soon SHISHA was available in the most important stores and we had to move out of our shared flat into a backyard, from where we started our online business.
2008 - The success
At that time, we had no idea of the power of the internet, but soon SHISHA hoodies were being sent all over Europe. It wasn't too long before even US and Australian customers were interested in our brand. The wild years of SHISHA began!
2010 - Dudeism
As a true brand born on the beach, we spread SHISHA Dudeism all over the world. We converted our VW bus into a beach party van and had the most amazing guerrilla beach parties. More and more stores were asking for SHISHA, so it was time to expand the distribution network. Soon SHISHA was available in more than 100 stores. Finally, we were really living the dream.
Climate change is not a future issue!
Climate change is a reality, here and now: hurricanes, forest fires, heat waves, oceans washed out by microplastics, dried up lakes, contaminated groundwater!
The insatiable striving for short-term profit maximization, market dominance and displacement of competitors has meanwhile gripped the entire globe and is leaving destructive traces!
2014 - The villa
As globetrotters, we have experienced many great cuisines and clubs on our travels around the world. With many impressions and different tastes in our heads, we started a new adventure and opened our own restaurant & club on the lower floors of the same building. Our favorite place for the best street food in town and a good glass of wine after a hard surf session. We have simply named this place THE VILLA.
2019 - The new beginning
When SHISHA Clothing had already existed for several years, we founded a second label called NOORLYS. As the name SHISHA was increasingly associated with the water pipe and no longer with the surf brand, the solution was obvious: SHISHA became NOORLYS and we continue to carry on the well-known designs, as well as new creations, under this name today. We have retained our high quality standards and good working conditions, which are of course just as important to us as they were to SHISHA.
That's why we bear responsibility.
For our environment.
For our employees.
For your clothes.