ROA: Functional Wear Designed Through a Refined Lens

An interview with Patrick Stangbye

For the last 5 years, functionality and utilitarian design have remained hot on the tongues of designers, brands and creatives alike who are shifting their focus to outdoor-oriented style as a source of inspiration. Whether it be outdoor, climbing or mountaineering wear, each of them serves as an expansive pit to be tucked into as each designer interprets it in their own unique way. Some take more of a literal approach and opt for functionality by any means necessary, this tends to deliver a product that is better suited in a performance context. However, there is a number of brands from all levels of the fashion strata that are treading a fine line between form and function, dipping into elements of technical design whilst ensuring the silhouettes are wearable in a day-to-day context, from the mountains to the city.

One such name that is exploring the realm where functionality and adaptability co-exist is ROA, an Italian label founded in 2015. What initially started as a footwear brand founded by designer, Maurizio Quaglia has since sprung into a fully-fledged brand that has forged a clear-cut identity of its own. Ever since its inception, ROA has never pretended to be something it isn’t – it doesn’t pretend to be 100% functional or capable in extreme conditions. Instead, it almost takes the opposite approach. Whilst seeking out appropriate footwear for hybrid use between the mountains and in the city, Mauzirizo Quaglia found that the products he was encountering were often too technical. So, as a designer with an inquisitive mind, what else do you do when you can’t find a product that is fit for purpose? You design it yourself.

From that point onwards, ROA began designing footwear that fused the basic functions of hiking shoes with cutting-edge manufacturing methods and Italian craftsmanship. Most importantly, in their own words, ‘ROA Hiking products reflect a hybrid attitude towards the landscapes’; essentially, each product is designed to exist habitually across a number of settings and allow for a seamless transition. Footwear silhouettes such as the Andreas and Neal are shining examples of how form and function can be married into one with deep-lugged Vibram soles contrasted by expertly-crafted leather uppers in a beautiful juxtaposition.

With the recent appointment of Patrick Stangbye as the brand’s Creative Director, ROA began to expand its reach into the field of technical outdoor wear that maintains the identity forged by its footwear offering. First unveiled during Milan Fashion Week in February 2022, ROA’s foray into apparel was marked by its Autumn/Winter ‘22 collection that saw its inaugural offering reference archetypal outdoor silhouettes such as down jackets, fleece pullovers, technical nylon shell jackets and bottoms. ROA further reinforces its hybrid attitude that remains so critical to its ethos through the made-in-Italy craftsmanship of its past season’s collection.

HHV’s first delivery of ROA consists of a breadth of footwear and apparel styles that do wonders to exemplify the brand’s prowess. For footwear, we see HHV receiving mainstay silhouettes such as the Andreas, Katharina, Neal, Loafer, Sandal and Lhakpa which can be worn in conjunction with the seasonally-appropriate array of apparel featuring shirting, shorts, tops, bags, bottoms and fleeces.

In order for us to gain a true, unfiltered insight into the goings-on behind ROA, we reached out to its Creative Director, Patrick Stangbye, to pick his brain on innovation, its future direction and maintaining the brand’s identity across footwear and apparel.

HHV: Please could you explain your role at ROA?

PS: My name is Patrick Stangbye and I am responsible for the creative direction of the brand – I help pick the paths we venture down and the ones we don’t. A lot of my role is product-focused and I engaged in research with the team about what and how we are going to develop certain products. In addition to that, there is also communication with external partners and collaborators, as well as communication and imagery.

HHV: Since its inception, ROA has been recognised for its tenure in footwear. Can you expand on why apparel seemed like the next evolution for the label and how you plan to maintain its identity across both footwear and apparel?

PS: Apparel felt like the next natural step in order to establish and maintain an identifiable language across both categories, it should not be any more difficult than just offering one. It is important, however, that there is a clear dialogue between all of the products in the collection.

HHV: Where both footwear and apparel are concerned, what kind of solutions is ROA looking to solve through its designs?

PS: The product is constructed for life – ROA should be able to follow your life and the activities you partake in on a daily basis. While some of the pieces offer protection against the elements, others offer a feeling of highness and confidence, it all depends on the given scenario and use that the wearer finds themselves in.

HHV: Whilst not entirely function-focused, as you have acknowledged in the past, we saw ROA explore some interesting innovations in Autumn/Winter ‘22, such as the Engineered Tech Knit. Going forward, is innovation important for ROA to remain on top of?

PS: I think all ROA products are occupied in some way by functionality. They’re not performance sports products, but neither are most products from sports brands either. So, I would say ROA is function-focused, but the uses are far and wide and depend from person to person. Innovation is something that is close to anyone who wants to see progress around them, and important as we now see tendencies that are more regressive around us. Innovation happens through our network with suppliers and collaborators, not in a vacuum alone.

Thank you, Patrick, for your time!