Rocawear
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Rocawear | |
 |
|
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters |  |
| Key people | Jay-Z, Co-Founder and Chairman Damon Dash, Co-Founder |
| Products | Athletic shoes, apparel, accessories |
| Revenue |  700 Million (FY 2006) |
| Website | http://www.rocawear.com/ |
Rocawear is an urban clothing label created in 1999 by Damon Dash, Kareem "Biggs" Burke & Jay-Z, heads of the hip hop label Roc-a-Fella Records.[1]
Rocawear has clothing lines and accessories for men, women and children. The line was taken over by Jay-Z in early 2006 following a falling out with co-founder Damon Dash. Larry Johnson, of the Kansas City Chiefs is a famous endorser of the product, often flashing the Rocawear symbol after scoring a touchdown.
Rocawear has annual sales of over $700 million.[1] Rocawear expanded its brand through licensing pacts to develop lines for children, juniors, socks and sandals, leather suede and fur outerwear, handbags and belts, loungewear and big & tall, headwear, jewelry, and sunglasses; as well as co-branded product with Pro-Keds.
In early 2007, after allegations of raccoon-dog fur being used in two styles of jackets, Rocawear pulled all of the garments from the department stores where this product was shipped.[2][3][4]
In March of 2007, Jay-Z sold the rights to the Rocawear brand to Iconix Brand Group, for $204 million in cash. Jay-Z will retain his stake in the company and will continue to oversee the marketing, licensing and product development.[1][5]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Iconix to Buy Rocawear, Jay-Z's Clothing Line", New York Times, March 7, 2007.
- ^ Josh Grossberg. "Jay-Z Dogged for Pimpin' Faux Fur", E! Online News, January 16, 2007.
- ^ "Rocawear Accused of Using Real Animal Fur on "Faux" Fur Jackets", XXL Magazine, January 16, 2007.
- ^ "Is your fur fake, or is it Fido", MSNBC, February 23, 2007.
- ^ "Jay-Z: Down To 98 Problems Yet?", MTV, February 7, 2007.
