“We reference what we consider archetypes of clothing in general, but also mountain apparel and silhouettes of the past and current century,” said Patrick Stangbye, ROA’s Creative Director, in an interview with Highsnobiety earlier this year.
Ever since its inception in 2015, ROA (or ROA Hiking, to give it its full name) has been one of pioneers spearheading fashion’s ongoing outerwear obsession and, in turn, fuelling the Gorpcore trend.
Its Spring/Summer 2024 collection, though, is not only proof that Gorpcore isn't going anywhere anytime soon, but also serves as a reminder that there’s more to ROA than just waterproof apparel and chunky hiking boots. SS24 is as an example of how the label is pushing the boundaries with the spirit of bricolage, all the while still drawing inspiration from movement, landscape, and community.
The joy of bricolage as playful experimentation also infuses material choices. Natural hemp knits are matched with recycled technical synthetic fabrics, while the fit itself is pared back and functional with a view to thru-hiking. With an aim of being lightweight and quick in both urban and pastoral landscapes, SS24 has been presented to bring out the best performance of the materials and fabrics to fully showcase their unique strengths.
When it comes to colors, ROA keeps things inherently muted, a stark contrast from the tech materials it utilizes. Synthetic materials is the certified waterproof Wading Jacket in 3L Xpore fabric, while the Xpore fabric uses recycled polyester that is 100% PFC free and made in a completely solvent-free process.
ROA SS24 constitutes a reappraisal and return to core principles of both technique and philosophy that the label was birthed from, and is also a reminder that Gorpcore isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
