SANTA ROSA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Joan Rojas, the founder of the Buff headwear brand, died Sunday at 71.
Rojas, born in Barcelona, Spain, was raised in the family textile business. He developed the headwear as protection against the sun, wind and cold while motorcycle touring in Catalonia, and founded Buff in 1992. He made the first samples at his family's knitting factory.
Within three years of bringing his idea to life, Buff products were being distributed and sold in Germany, France, Switzerland and other parts of Europe. The company is now one of the largest headwear companies in the world, sold in more than 70 countries, and now works with fabric technologies such as Coolmax, Polygeine, Polartec and Merino wool.
Shirley Choi Brunetti, the GM and vice president of Buff USA, said, "Joan remained as passionate about product design as ever, and continued to support the Buff culture of innovation and growth. We are proud and humbled to carry on the spirit and the legacy of Joan Rojas. He has been a part of the Buff family, and a close friend to many more."
