The trail aesthetic according to ROA

Last year Matthew Williams, in his collaboration with Stüssy, also designed a boot stained with a mud effect typical of mountain sports. The boot in question was a ROA model, the Italian brand specialized in trekking and more generally in mountain footwear, that for some years now has been reinterpreting trekking models that had nothing to do with fashion. The connection between the technical experience and the versatility of ROA, the streetwear of a brand like Stüssy and the experimental creativity of Matthew Williams (founder of 1017 Alyx 9SM, who has been recently appointed new creative director of Givenchy) are the proof of how the gorpcore style today has become essential in the fashion industry.

A leader in innovation and technical experimentation, ROA, born in 2015 in Italy from the meeting between the founders of Slam Jam and the designer Maurizio Quaglia, has unveiled the lookbook of the new SS20 collection. After collaborating for FW19, ROA returned to work together with Brain Dead, who oversaw the design of some of the models, and Vibram, who took care of the soles.

Leading the new collaboration with Brain Dead is the Neal model in the "Royal / Purple" colourway, in which the Brain Dead logo is sewn on the back of the shoe and on a granular panel covered in aramid fibre fabric (a resistant fibre impact, often used in bulletproof vests). To complete the design, the sneaker is covered with a robust midsole in a camouflage pattern, perfect for optimal performance on difficult terrain.

ROAs are the first real trekking shoes designed first for the fashion market and then also for sports. In a few years, in fact, the brand has not only conquered many designers such as Matthew Williams, but has become a reference point for all fans: through the search for materials, treatments and colours, but also its design, the gorpcore style has become an integral part of streetwear.