roar
roar is a Japanese fashion brand founded in 2001 by designer Saburo Hamanaka. Recognisable by its crossed pistols emblem, it makes men's and women's apparel built on original Japanese fabrics and processing.
| Founded | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Designer | Saburo Hamanaka |
| Paris debut | Autumn/Winter 2005 to 2006 |
| Sub line | roar GOLF (2016) |
| Website | roarguns.com |
What is roar?
roar, also presented as roarguns, is a Japanese apparel brand known for its trademark "cross guns" logo of two crossed pistols. Its name comes from the English word for a shout or roar.
History
Designer Saburo Hamanaka, born in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1969 and a graduate of Bantan Design Institute, worked as a designer for several apparel companies before founding roar in 2001. From the Autumn/Winter 2005 to 2006 season the brand began presenting collections in Paris under the name roarguns.
Products and positioning
roar emphasises Japanese craftsmanship, including the development and processing of original materials, with the stated aim of showing Japanese technique and quality fabrics to the world.
- Seasonal men's and women's collections
- Graphic T-shirts and collaborations, including film themed designs and a Disney collaboration
- Childrenswear collaborations
- roar GOLF, a competitive golf wear line launched in 2016
Distribution
The brand is sold through specialty retailers across Japan, from Tokyo to Kobe and Kitakyushu, and through its official website.
Why it matters
roar is one of the Japanese labels that brought bold, rock influenced graphics together with domestic fabric development, and its move into golf wear reflects the wider crossover between fashion and sport.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded roar?
roar was founded in 2001 by Japanese designer Saburo Hamanaka.
What is the roar logo?
roar's trademark is the "cross guns" emblem, a logo of two crossed pistols.