Roark is a symbol for adventure and discovery. This brand represents people’s love for the outdoors and travel by providing them with clothes and gear that help them take the road less traveled. Their mission? “To inspire people to explore the world and evoke a sense of discovery,” said Ryan Hitzel, the CEO and founder of Roark.
Hitzel is a former student of Laguna Beach High School (LBHS), and he credits the school with helping him start his journey in clothing and design. “Sports, art, and community taught me different things. Sports taught me that collaboration, hard work, and perseverance lead to successful outcomes. The Arts program exposed me to how expression and risk-taking can lead to confidence,” said Hitzel. His high school experiences instilled in him key values that he still uses to this day, laying the foundation for his future.
“I started to pay attention to fashion and graphic design on t-shirts from my favorite brands like Stussy and Volcom. I was involved in surfing and snowboarding and saw the brands as extensions of the culture, so I felt design was a way to express myself and communicate about the things I loved,” said Hitzel.
Other high school experiences, like the everyday fashion of students and favorite sports, sparked his interest in design. Hitzel saw design and fashion’s deep connection to the culture of different communities and was exposed to the unique culture of Laguna Beach. Specifically, he observed how brands like Volcom played a role in enhancing the culture in the sports world. Through these inspirations, he developed the ideas that are the foundation of Roark.
“I hope that it represents a sense of freedom and adventure that leads to self-discovery,” said Hitzel.
To Hitzel, Roark is a brand that echoes the passions and values he holds close to his heart, which are clearly evident in his personal life. These are what drive the brand and are the message that it hopes to send out to the world. Design can create impacts that not many people are aware of. In everyday life, fashion is a symbol of cultures, and Roark helps to embody the culture of adventure, sports, the outdoors, and freedom.
Recently, Roark visited LBHS and gave a presentation to some students about the brand and the design world. They are continuing to visit the campus every month to encourage students to pursue design. Hitzel recognized how his experiences in Laguna Beach and as an LBHS student sparked his passion for design, and he saw an opportunity to share this passion with the rest of the community. He is a stunning example of how one can take their interests and utilize the opportunities available to them to build a career based on their passions. For LBHS students, Hitzel embodies the idea that hard work can lead to success in something you love. After he left his presentation at LBHS, he left an important message that still echoes throughout the campus.
“You can’t achieve your dreams without taking risks – but if you are well prepared, relentless, collaborative, honest, and a little lucky, that risk is mitigated. Ideas that don’t see the light of day can’t change the world, go for it!”
