On Tuesday May 31, 2011, Bevacqua, 34, was found dead in his Laguna Beach home, according to authories in Orange County.
As most of us have already heard, Jonas Bevacqua (1978-2011), of LRG has passed away on Tuesday. We would like to pay tribute to a man who took streetwear and fashion to a whole new level. His work and inspiration has helped paved the way for many independent brands like us. And without him, brands and careers like ours wouldn’t be as far as they are today.  For one, we wouldn’t have this crossroads between skate and urban that is the platform for our clothing genre. This man is a true pioneer and will truly be missed, rest in peace.
Video interview by Karmaloop of Jonas
THE BACK STORY
Bevacqua had dropped out of college and moved back home with his parents when he met Wright while working as a DJ at Southern California clubs. The two sketched out some of their earliest fashion ideas in his bedroom.
Deeply influenced by Southern California’s skateboard, surfing and hip-hop culture, he said he and Wright began making clothes that reflected their interests but that no one else seemed to be providing.
“I grew up in a pretty unique environment and was exposed to a lot of different things,” he said in a 2009 interview with the Orange County Register. “I didn’t feel there was a clothing company to bridge the gap between all these different things that we were into — that spoke for that melting pot of what was going on. That’s what LRG was all about.”
By 2006, LRG had annual sales of $150 million and was named by Entrepreneur magazine as No. 5 on its list of that year’s 500 fastest growing companies. Among its popular clothing lines are Luxirie, which targets 18- to 30-year-old women, offering clothing with Western and military themes, and items such as crystal-covered jeans.
Initially a clothing company, LRG has since branched out to include sales of electronic devices, music and other items. It described itself as a “creative lifestyle” company that attempts to reflect its founders’ interests, not only in fashion but also environmental causes and other activities.
The company is also involved in the promotion of underground recording artists and sponsors a skateboarding team, according to its website.
Bevacqua is survived by his mother, father, son, fiancee and seven siblings, according to the company’s website.
You must log in to post a comment.