RRD – Roberto Ricci Designs was born on an ideal boundary between his homeland Tuscany in Italy, and the Hawaiian Island of Maui: on one side, the Mediterranean charm of southern Tuscany , a piece of land called Maremma (land by the sea) ; on the other, the raw ocean energy of Hawaii.
PROTOTYPE YEARS
It all begins when young windsurfer Roberto Ricci turns his hand shaped windsurfing board workshops into true International creativity think tanks, marking the start of a journey that blends passion, craftsmanship, and competitive spirit.
The brand was born between Italy and Hawaii, starting with a custom made windsurf board and a vision: to combine performance with artistry.
The inner fire of the iconic Perf-Romance approach.
The professional windsurfing world tour (PBA/PWA tour) friends become his first hi-profile customers to compete in the world circuit on his custom shaped designs.
The first victory of a World Cup event of the PBA professional windsurfing circuit. In Noumea, New Caledonia, Swedish pro windsurfer Anders Bringdal competes using new boards designed and built by a young man from Tuscany. It’s world news.
The first clothing collection, consisting of 2 boardshorts, 1 pair of bermuda shorts, and 4 T-shirts, designed as promotional wear for windsurfing enthusiasts is presented at the ‘94 Summer MUNICH ISPO trade show together with the first collection of production series windsurf boards.
First Kiteboard
The original flying board. The first kite-board designed and shaped for Manu Bertin, the visionary Frenchman who introduced “Flysurfing” to the world. “Ride a surfboard, fly an aircraft” was his first motto. Kiteboarding was born.
Montecristo S.n.c.
In front of the fireplace in Via Belgio 14, Grosseto, Italy, the idea for the name takes shape, chosen by three young men from Maremma to represent their dreams in the world of fashion. Montecristo, the treasure Island in front of Maremma’s coastline . Thus, Montecristo Snc is born, destined to evolve into the future RRD-Roberto Ricci Designs Spa.
il Maestrale
The model name of the boardshort that without any specific advertising or special commercial push, becomes an icon. On the beach, Italy discovers “Il Maestrale” (the wind that blows from NorthWest in the Med).
MPE Board Collection
Millennium Pro Edition boards . The collaboration with friend windsurfing artist Mickey Eskimo creates a disruptive approach to windsurfing board graphics.
First Kite
The Type 4 Inflatable Kite is born, the first kite model that looks to the future. The world of watersports changes forever. Hawaiian waves are no longer needed to jump 10 meters high on the water. The Med becomes a new playground for serious watersports addicts.
150.000 Boardshorts
Surfin’ Venice
First Wetsuits Collection
Winter Storm
CEO Roberto Bardini sets out to change the industry by proposing a game-changing approach: developing in-house, layered, and custom-coupled fabrics based on external lycra, seamlessly paired with minimalist lines and refined accessories tailored for outerwear. This bold vision brings forth the Winter Storm, a jacket destined to redefine the landscape of clothing in Italy. Clothing as Design.
World Speed Record
SURFLEX®
Chino Revo
First Hydrofoil
Introduced with the Y23 collection. The first foil model developed for windfoiling is built using a fully autoclave technology. Weighing only 2.8 kgs, remains the lightest and stiffest hydrofoil ever produced.
First Wing
A new way to ride on water is born. In Hawaii, the first wings appear, using the same inflatable technology previously used for kites. Wingfoiling is born.
Milano Showroom
Quarter Century Collection (QCCRRD)
The quarter century year marks a bold move for the watersport collection, as it adopts only four institutional colors, creating a cohesive visual identity that unmistakably defines
New Store Era
Wing foil board evolution.
The Beluga LTD Y30 combines Innegra Carbon deck with Full Biaxial Carbon bottom. An unbeatable mix of lightweight, strength and unique, exclusive aestetics.
Milano Showroom #2
Beyond Boundaries
Today we bring watersports and clothing back into one vision.
Two worlds, one language: performance shaping style, born from the ocean.
P R O T O T Y P E
Y E A R S
It all begins when young windsurfer Roberto Ricci turns his hand shaped windsurfing board workshops into true International creativity think tanks, marking the start of a journey that blends passion, craftsmanship, and competitive spirit.
The brand was born between Italy and Hawaii, starting with a custom made windsurf board and a vision: to combine performance with artistry.
The inner fire of the iconic Perf-Romance approach.
The professional windsurfing world tour (PBA/PWA tour) friends become his first hi-profile customers to compete in the world circuit on his custom shaped designs.
The first victory of a World Cup event of the PBA professional windsurfing circuit. In Noumea, New Caledonia, Swedish pro windsurfer Anders Bringdal competes using new boards designed and built by a young man from Tuscany. It’s world news.
The first clothing collection, consisting of 2 boardshorts, 1 pair of bermuda shorts, and 4 T-shirts, designed as promotional wear for windsurfing enthusiasts is presented at the ‘94 Summer MUNICH ISPO trade show together with the first collection of production series windsurf boards.
First Kiteboard
The original flying board. The first kite-board designed and shaped for Manu Bertin, the visionary Frenchman who introduced “Flysurfing” to the world. “Ride a surfboard, fly an aircraft” was his first motto. Kiteboarding was born.
Montecristo S.n.c.
In front of the fireplace in Via Belgio 14, Grosseto, Italy, the idea for the name takes shape, chosen by three young men from Maremma to represent their dreams in the world of fashion. Montecristo, the treasure Island in front of Maremma’s coastline . Thus, Montecristo Snc is born, destined to evolve into the future RRD-Roberto Ricci Designs Spa.
il Maestrale
The model name of the boardshort that without any specific advertising or special commercial push, becomes an icon. On the beach, Italy discovers “Il Maestrale” (the wind that blows from NorthWest in the Med).
MPE Board Collection
Millennium Pro Edition boards . The collaboration with friend windsurfing artist Mickey Eskimo creates a disruptive approach to windsurfing board graphics.
First Kite
The Type 4 Inflatable Kite is born, the first kite model that looks to the future. The world of watersports changes forever. Hawaiian waves are no longer needed to jump 10 meters high on the water. The Med becomes a new playground for serious watersports addicts.
150.000 Boardshorts
Our first 150.000 boardshorts are produced.
Surfin’ Venice
On the Grand Canal with 200 paddlers. It is the passion for paddling on a SUP board that inspires the idea of twinning Venetian rowing with Hawaiian paddling. Surfin’ Venice is born, a demonstration parade that attracts paddleboarding enthusiasts from all over the world.
First Wetsuits Collection
The first collection of wetsuits for watersports by RRD is born. The missing link between Watersports and Clothing.
Winter Storm
CEO Roberto Bardini sets out to change the industry by proposing a game-changing approach: developing in-house, layered, and custom-coupled fabrics based on external lycra, seamlessly paired with minimalist lines and refined accessories tailored for outerwear. This bold vision brings forth the Winter Storm, a jacket destined to redefine the landscape of clothing in Italy. Clothing as Design.
World Speed Record
The frenchman Antoine Albeau breaks the windsurfing world speed record in Lüderitz, Namibia. Nearly 100 km/h on the water with an RRD custom windsurfing board.
SURFLEX®
The SURFLEX® fabric is introduced, which, thanks to a patented weaving and finishing process, becomes an icon of innovation applied to all clothing items for everyday use, where “freedom of movement” is highly valued. From water to urban legend.
Chino Revo
SURFLEX® makes its way into pants, giving birth to the Chino Revo, half-jokingly yet with conviction, as the trousers destined to “revolutionize the wardrobe of Italians.”
First Hydrofoil
Introduced with the Y23 collection. The first foil model developed for windfoiling is built using a fully autoclave technology. Weighing only 2.8 kgs, remains the lightest and stiffest hydrofoil ever produced.
First Wing
A new way to ride on water is born. In Hawaii, the first wings appear, using the same inflatable technology previously used for kites. Wingfoiling is born.
Quarter Century
Collection (QCCRRD)
The quarter century year marks a bold move for the watersport collection, as it adopts only four institutional colors, creating a cohesive visual identity that unmistakably defines
Deep Black – Powder Gray – Blazing Orange – Foam White
Milano Showroom
In 2019, RRD opened its first showroom in Milano, an exhibition space in the heart of the creative B2B district.
New Store Era
The brand new flagship concept store opens in Forte dei Marmi, Italy.
Beluga LTD Y30
Wing foil board evolution.
The Beluga LTD Y30 combines Innegra Carbon deck with Full Biaxial Carbon bottom. An unbeatable mix of lightweight, strength and unique, exclusive aestetics.
Milano Showroom #2
In 2024, a second, additional showroom was inaugurated in Milano, dedicated to customers, buyers, and PR activities.
Beyond Boundaries
Today we bring watersports and clothing back into one vision.
Two worlds, one language: performance shaping style, born from the ocean.