With denim at its core, the brand has continued to grow to include many categories including apparel, footwear, handbags, swim and accessories—all reflecting relaxed style. The Bongo lifestyle is best described as the everyday girl with a splash of cool.

By 1993, the pair had left Bongo to focus on Lucky Brand, and in 1998 they sold Bongo to Candies for $15 million in stock. Bongo Jeans are technically still around, but since the change in ownership, the brand doesn't feel quite the same; for starters, it's no longer tied to popular celebrities.

In 1978, Montesano moved to Los Angeles to enter the fashion industry there. With business partner Michael Caruso, he started Bongo and ran the brand for 15 years. After leaving Bongo, Montesano joined former business partner Perlman in 1990 to launch Lucky Brand.

Bongo capitalized on the denim craze that was prevalent during the 1990s, and Liv Tyler helped the brand take off.