Rocawear

Last updated

Rocawear
Industry Textile
Founded1999;26 years ago (1999)
Founders Damon Dash
Shawn Carter [1]
Headquarters New York,
US
Key people
Shawn Carter (CEO), Damon Dash (chairman)
Products Clothing, footwear, perfume and fashion accessories
Revenue$700 million (FY 2007)
Owner Iconix Brand Group
Website rocawear.com

Rocawear (stylized Roc-A-Wear) is an American clothing brand founded in 1999 by Roc-A-Fella Records co-founders Damon Dash and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. [1] The brand has had annual sales of $700 million. [1] [ when? ] Rocawear expanded through licensing to sell affordable clothes for children and juniors; socks and sandals; leather, suede, and fur outerwear; handbags and belts; lounge wear; big and tall; headwear; jewelry; and sunglasses; as well as co-branded product with Pro-Keds, State Property, and Team Roc.

In late September 2005, Dash severed ties with Jay-Z and sold his stake in Rocawear for a reported $22.5 million USD, making Jay-Z the sole owner of the company. [2]

R&B singer Ciara signed to be the new face of Rocawear in 2007 for the 'I Will Not Lose' campaign. Chris Brown, Memphis rap collective Three 6 Mafia, radio personality Ebro Darden, Toccara and Rich Boy were amongst the other celebrities who were part of the campaign.[ citation needed ]

In March 2007, Jay-Z sold the rights to the Rocawear brand to Iconix Brand Group for $204 million. Jay-Z retained his stake in the company and continued to oversee the marketing, licensing, and product development. [1] [3] [4] In May 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sought out Jay-Z's testimony in relation to possible security law violations made by Iconix. [5]

In March 2009, Rocawear launched its first social networking site, offering style news, music, fashion, and cultural connections. [6]

In August 2011, Jay-Z confirmed via Twitter that Rocawear had partnered with Pharrell Williams' clothing label, Billionaire Boys Club. [7]

In 2012, Rocawear was a €490 million clothing business. [8]

In November 2018, Jay-Z successfully halted a $204 million lawsuit between Roc Nation and Iconix over the lack of black arbitrators in the US. [9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Iconix to Buy Rocawear, Jay-Z's Clothing Line". New York Times. Reuters. March 7, 2007. Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Damon Dash severs ties with Jay‑Z". UPI. September 27, 2005. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Jay-Z: Down To 98 Problems Yet?Y". MTV. February 7, 2007. Archived from the original on March 9, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Keratoconus". April 12, 2017. Thursday, April 9, 2020
  5. ↑ "Jay-Z to testify over sale of Rocawear brand". Sky News. May 3, 2018. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  6. ↑ Adaso, Henry (April 18, 2009). "Rocawear Dives into Social Networking Pool with Roc4Life". About.com Guide. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  7. ↑ Gregory, Jason (August 4, 2011). "Jay-Z Partners With Pharrell Williams Fashion Label Billionaire Boys Club". Gigwisw.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  8. ↑ Chevalier, Michel (2012). Luxury Brand Management. Singapore: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   978-1-118-17176-9.
  9. ↑ Smith, Amy (November 29, 2018). "Jay-Z calls a halt to $204 million Rocawear lawsuit over lack of racial diversity". NME. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
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