{{short description|American clothing company}} {{For|the environmental protection and advisory agency in Ottawa, Canada|Rideau Valley Conservation Authority}} {{Infobox company | name = RVCA | logo = frameless|class=skin-invert | caption = | type = Subsidiary | traded_as = | genre = <!-- Only used with media and publishing companies --> | predecessor = | successor = | founded = {{start date and age|1999}} | defunct = {{End date and age|2025|04|28}} (U.S. Operations Only) | fate = {{Unbulleted list|Chapter 11 bankruptcy|Liquidation}} (U.S. Operations Only) | founder = PM Tenore and Conan Hayes | hq_location_city = New York City | hq_location_country = United States | num_locations = | area_served = | industry = Retail | products = Clothing | production = | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = Authentic Brands Group | divisions = | subsidiaries = | website = {{URL|https://www.rvca.com}} | footnotes = | intl = }}
'''RVCA''' is an Orange County, 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''; {{IPA|el|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.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/pcKiQQnSU48 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20121126042013/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcKiQQnSU48&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcKiQQnSU48| title = Behind the Brand [RVCA] | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
== History == RVCA was founded in 1999 by Pat Tenore and Conan Hayes, a professional surfer from Hawaii.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Conan Hayes Launches Ruca|journal=Transworld SURF|date=June 4, 2001|url=http://surf.transworld.net/1000003990/features/conan-hayes-launches-ruca/|access-date=October 4, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Keeping Up with the Hayeses, and the Joneses|journal=Surfer|date=July 22, 2010|url=http://www.surfermag.com/features/hayesintrvu/|access-date=January 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Yen|first=Yii-Wyn|title=Carving Out A New Market Space|journal=Sports Illustrated|date=December 6, 2004|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1114369/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104151132/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1114369/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 4, 2013|access-date=January 24, 2012}}</ref> Billabong purchased RVCA in July 2010,<ref>{{cite web|title=Company History|url=http://www.billabongbiz.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=154279&p=irol-history|publisher=Billabong|access-date=10 September 2012}}</ref> and then Boardriders acquired Billabong in 2018, taking ownership of RVCA, Element, Von Zipper, and XCEL.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.boardriders.com|title=Boardriders Inc. - the World's Leading Boardriding Company|website=Boardriders Inc|access-date=2018-10-08}}</ref>
On February 2, 2025, Liberated Brands, owner of RVCA retail stores in the US, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, listing assets and liabilities between $100 million and $500 million. The company announced the closure of all remaining RVCA locations in the US, with liquidation sales beginning a week before the bankruptcy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shop-eat-surf-outdoor.com/news/liberated-brands-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy/603586/|title=Liberated Brands Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy|first=Tiffany|last=Montgomery|date=February 3, 2025|access-date=February 3, 2025|website=Shop Eat Surf Outdoor|language=en}}</ref>
== Culture == RVCA was associated with skateboard, surf culture, Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), and MMA. The company sponsored 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 was also associated with the street graffiti subculture. RVCA was 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 at RVCA HQ Costa Mesa, California, and the Head Coach was Jason Parillo. The training center closed in September 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fight Wiz on X|url=https://twitter.com/FightWizMMA/status/1699655662383624626|access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref>
=== Affiliated people === ==== MMA ==== {{div col|colwidth=20em}} * B.J. Penn * Michael Bisping * Cris Cyborg * Rafael dos Anjos * Rose Namajunas * Tito Ortiz * Luke Rockhold * Vitor Belfort * Marlon Vera * Mackenzie Dern * Gilbert Burns * Jalin Turner * Sean Strickland<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bissell |first1=Tim |title=UFC fighter strikes BJJ champ in grappling session, lashes out over 'dirty move' - Video |url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2021/6/17/22538231/ufc-sean-strickland-lashes-out-at-training-partner-accuses-him-of-dirty-move-video-bjj-mma-news |website=Bloody Elbow |language=en |date=17 June 2021}}</ref> {{div col end}}
==== Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ==== {{div col|colwidth=20em}} * Lucas Leite * Marcus Almeida * Guilherme Mendes * Rafael Mendes * Keenan Cornelius * Jackson Sousa dos Santos * Kade Ruotolo * Tye Ruotolo * Patrick Chancey {{div col end}}
==== Boxing ==== * Seniesa Estrada
== 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<!--Only include those artists with a Wikipedia article-->.<ref>{{cite web|title=ANP Artists|url=http://www.rvca.com/anp-artists.html|publisher=RVCA|access-date=September 10, 2012}}</ref>
=== Past surf team members === {{div col|colwidth=20em}} * Kala Alexander * Makua Rothman {{div col end}}
=== Past skate team members === {{div col|colwidth=20em}} * Andrew Reynolds * Curren Caples * Kevin "Spanky" Long * Christian Hosoi * Mark Suciu * Evan Mock {{div col end}}
=== Past MMA fighters === {{div col|colwidth=20em}} * Mackenzie Dern * Rose Namajunas * Fedor Emelianenko * Aaron Pico * Luke Rockhold * B.J. Penn * Gilbert Burns * Marlon Vera {{div col end}}
=== E-Sports === * Summit1g * Relentless Gaming
=== Chefs === * Matty Matheson
==See also== {{portal|Companies|Fashion|Sports}} *Mixed martial arts clothing
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.rvca.com RVCA.com] *[https://www.boardriders.com Boardriders Inc.] {{MMA Team List}}
Category:Clothing companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Costa Mesa, California Category:Swimwear manufacturers Category:Surfwear brands Category:Clothing companies based in Los Angeles Category:Mixed martial arts training facilities Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2025