ALBA ROSA Logo (Current)
ALBA ROSA (アルバローザ) is a Japanese clothing brand that was established in 1975. The brand is largely associated with gyaru culture and is seen in many sub-styles, such as Ganguro and Manba.
A slang term for a gyaru dressed head-to-toe in ALBA ROSA was coined: 'ALBAKA' (アルバカ, ALBA Idiot)[1], as the brand and gyaru culture of the 1990s were intertwined.
Concept[]
The brand's concept has changed throughout its history. It began as "Healthy like sunshine, sexy like sunset, fresh like sea breeze and above all, fun like flash back" in 1987, and it was changed to "Healthy like sunshine [...] And breathtaking, like catching a wave" in 1997[2].
History[]
Inspiration for the brand, nicknamed 'Alba Rosa' (Second from the right)
ALBA ROSA was founded by Kato Tamotsu, in 1975. The brand name comes from a nickname of an Italian Pan American stewardess who was friends with the founder[3]. The phrase 'alba rosa' roughly translates to 'pink sunrise' in English. The original founders of the brand used inspiration from the French Riviera into their designs, contradicting the idea that the brand was originally inspired by Hawaiian culture.
In 1985, the brand opened its first store at Sotetsu JOINUS in Yokohama, and in 1991, they debuted their first hibiscus print design, which would later become a staple of the brand. In 1999, ALBA ROSA began its men's line.
The brand grew in popularity throughout the 1990s, however the brand closed all stores in 2005.
The ALBA ROSA Company is still running, with their website being regularly updated with the history of the brand, along with archives of previous prints. They occasionally release items in collaboration with other brands.