 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | PM Tenore |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Conan Hayes, historically |
| Products | Clothing |
| Parent | Authentic Brands Group |
| Website | www |
RVCA is a Costa Mesa, California–based clothing company owned by Authentic Brands Group.
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]
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]
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.
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. The Head Coach was currently Jason Parillo. The training center abruptly closed in September of 2023. [7]
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]