RVCA

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RVCA
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRetail
Founded1999; 25 years ago (1999)
FounderPM Tenore and Conan Hayes
Headquarters
Costa Mesa, California
,
United States
ProductsClothing
ParentAuthentic Brands Group
Websitewww.rvca.com

RVCA is a Costa Mesa, California–based clothing company owned by Authentic Brands Group.

Etymology

The logotype for RVCA portrays the letter A without a crossbar, resembling an uppercase lambda (Λ). The name resembles the Greek ρούχα (uppercase: ΡΟὙΧΑ), pronounced [ˈru xa], which means 'clothes' in English. The RVCA logo is based on the two chevrons, the V & the A, representing the brand's ethos "The Balance of Opposites" as stated by RVCA founder PM Tenore.[1]

History

RVCA was founded in 1999 by Pat Tenore and Conan Hayes, a professional surfer from Hawaii.[2][3][4] Billabong purchased RVCA in July 2010,[5] and then Boardriders acquired Billabong in 2018, taking ownership of RVCA, Element, Von Zipper, and XCEL.[6]

Culture

RVCA is closely associated with skateboard, surf culture, Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ), and MMA. The company sponsors a skateboard and surf team. They also sponsor prominent BJJ competitors and prominent MMA fighters. RVCA clothing is found in skateboard/surf shops and numerous other shops.

Because of its art focus, RVCA is also associated with the street graffiti subculture. RVCA is involved with various contemporary art galleries such as KNOWN Gallery.

RVCA Training Center

Because of its Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA focus, RVCA founder Pat Tenore (who holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) built a BJJ/MMA gym known as The RVCA Training Center. The training facility was located in Costa Mesa, California and the Head Coach was Jason Parillo. The training center abruptly closed in September 2023.[7]

Affiliated people

MMA

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Boxing

Notable sponsored artists and sportspeople

Among the artists sponsored by RVCA as part of the Artist Network Program (ANP) are Mark OBlow, Mark Mothersbaugh, Barry McGee, C. R. Stecyk, III, David Choe, Kelsey Brookes, KRK Ryden, Matt Gordon, Marlon Vera, and Tommy Guerrero.[9]

Surf team

Skate team

MMA fighters

E-Sports

Chefs

References

  1. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Behind the Brand [RVCA]". YouTube.
  2. ^ "Conan Hayes Launches Ruca". Transworld SURF. June 4, 2001. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  3. ^ "Keeping Up with the Hayeses, and the Joneses". Surfer. July 22, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  4. ^ Yen, Yii-Wyn (December 6, 2004). "Carving Out A New Market Space". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  5. ^ "Company History". Billabong. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Boardriders Inc. - the World's Leading Boardriding Company". Boardriders Inc. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
  7. ^ "Fight Wiz on X". Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  8. ^ Bissell, Tim (17 June 2021). "UFC fighter strikes BJJ champ in grappling session, lashes out over 'dirty move' - Video". Bloody Elbow.
  9. ^ "ANP Artists". RVCA. Retrieved September 10, 2012.