| Rocawear | |
| Founders: | Damon Dash Shawn Carter |
| Industry: | Textile |
| Location: | New York |
| Location Country: | US |
| Key People: | Shawn Carter (CEO), Damon Dash (chairman) |
| Revenue: | $700 million (FY 2007) |
| Owner: | Iconix Brand Group |
| Products: | Clothing, footwear, perfume and fashion accessories |
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. 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.
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.
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.[2] [3] 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.[4]
In March 2009, Rocawear launched its first social networking site, offering style news, music, fashion, and cultural connections.[5]
In August 2011, Jay-Z confirmed via Twitter that Rocawear had partnered with Pharrell Williams' clothing label, Billionaire Boys Club.[6]
In 2012, Rocawear was a €490 million clothing business.[7]
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.[8]