01 / THE BRAND
FROM KALAMAZOO
TO AROUND THE WORLD.
Rawimpact started in Kalamazoo in 2010. Its shark mascot appeared on hats, sweatshirts and store walls; the brand later opened a second location in Sterling Heights. The photographs below are from those original retail spaces.
EST. 2010
Founded in 2010 by Andre “Drey” Ricks, with the shark graphic and early hats and sweatshirts at the center of the brand.
THE SHARK
The shark mascot became a fixture on the clothing, store walls and merchandise displays.
REAL CULTURE
Photographs from Kalamazoo and Sterling Heights capture the red shelves, hats, apparel and in-store moments.
RAWIMPACT / MILESTONES
THE ROAD SO FAR.
Rawimpact is founded
Andre “Drey” Ricks establishes Rawimpact in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Its early collections feature snapback hats and crewneck sweatshirts, alongside the shark mascot and the slogan “It’s Just Different!!”
The Kalamazoo flagship
The downtown Kalamazoo retail store introduces Rawimpact’s hats, crewnecks and original streetwear in a physical space. Boxing champion Thomas “Hitman” Hearns appears for an autograph signing. The young business also receives local New Business of the Year recognition.
Metro Detroit expansion
Rawimpact opens a second retail location in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and expands its lineup to include skateboards, backpacks and accessories. The brand is also identified as a marquee sponsor of Detroit’s Summer-Jamz 16 event, associated with WGPR Hot 107.5.
A wider audience
Coverage of Drey Ricks and Rawimpact follows the brand’s development beyond its original storefronts, including its connections to basketball, fashion, entrepreneurship and community initiatives.
The brand continues online
The Rawimpact online store carries forward its original identity through apparel and lifestyle merchandise.
Timeline based on the brand’s existing historical pages; archival milestones will be updated as supporting records are confirmed.
FROM THE ARCHIVES TO TODAY
THE RAWIMPACT ARCHIVE CONTINUES.
02 / FROM THE ARCHIVES
THE RAWIMPACT
ARCHIVES.
Before this website, there were the stores in Kalamazoo and Sterling Heights. The red hat displays. The shark on the wall. The first apparel designs. The people who came through the doors. These are photographs from that chapter of Rawimpact.
More original photos and event footage can be added from the Rawimpact archive as they are provided.
EXPLORE @RAWIMPACT_LIFESTYLE_BRAND ↗FOLLOW RAWIMPACT
ON INSTAGRAM.
The original gear, the stores, the people and what comes next. See more at @rawimpact_lifestyle_brand.
IT’S JUST DIFFERENT!!