The uniformis a representation of that legacy and the pride that anyone who wears the GB uniform feels – on or off the mats. This is WHY the GB uniform can never be compared to a generic kimono from other brands.
GB Wear, our official designer and development division of GB uniforms, is tasked with the mission to express Master Carlos Gracie Jr.’s vision and the Gracie Barra culture into uniforms and apparel that empower and inspire thousands of team members across the world, fortifying the loyalty and pride among our GB community!
We have decades of history translated into our uniforms that are designed by Gracie Barra to reflect its philosophy, values, and legacy. No other Jiu-Jitsu team or brand has this unique and legitimate uniform history. We should all be very honored and proud of what we’ve done as a team, helping implement Master Carlos’ vision from when he was developing the uniform concept with professors Marco Joca and Marcio Feitosa:
“One day, we will have a presence all around the globe, and when people see someone wearing a Gracie Barra uniform they will already know exactly what that means, what it stands for, who it belongs to! It will be an honor to wear the official Gracie Barra kimono and represent the generations of students, competitors, professors and leaders that gave and give their best to keep our GB legacy alive!”
History of the Gracie Barra Uniform
For centuries, communities around the world have used garments and accessories as forms of nonverbal communication to indicate occupation, rank, location, class, or group affiliation. The clothing we wear identifies us as individuals within our societal circles. It is only natural that being part of several social groups requires the use of different forms of garments to identify a person’s affiliation with each.
Also sometimes referred to as the gi (the formal Japanese name for the traditional uniform used in Jiu-Jitsu), the uniform today resembles those used even 100 years ago. These uniforms have also heavily influenced martial arts uniforms in general, especially those used in karate.
During the early 1990s, Prof. Marco Joca was a young athlete studying Jiu-Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro. It was difficult to find gis, and almost impossible to find the coveted Gracie Barra patch. He wanted very much to be able to wear the symbol of the school at which he trained. The popularity of tournaments was growing, as were the opportunities to represent the schools that were leading students to the mats.
As the schools grew there was a realization that some type of more formal uniform was needed, especially as the popularity of competitions grew. A uniform would represent schools at competitions, but also unify students and allow them to identify as a part of a group – the Gracie Barra community.
In 2003, the first Gracie Barra kimono was inspired by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and designed by Prof. Marco Joca (and would eventually lead to GB Wear). When Prof. Marco Joca presented his first design proposal to Master Carlos, the response was mixed. Master Carlos was enthused, but he still wanted to make some adjustments that would be crucial to the overall look and feel of our GB Uniform as we know today.
It was during this design process that the current Red Shield logo was developed in conjunction with the GB Uniform. Master Carlos wanted to make sure that the students of Gracie Barra were recognizable across the mats – and would bear a symbol of all that GB represents.
Perhaps it is in a quote from Great Grand Master Carlos Gracie Senior that we get our first glimpse into the power of identification through clothing.
“Each person who puts on the kimono and believes in Jiu-Jitsu that myself and my family teaches is the realization of my life’s work.” – Grand Master Carlos Gracie Senior
The Red Shield – specifically the color red –
by Master Carlos Gracie Jr.:
by Master Carlos Gracie Jr.:
“I want red because it represents heart, blood, and love; All my students fight with heart, have the GB Jiu-Jitsu in their blood, and love our team…Gracie Barra! I also want the patches bigger; I want everyone inside a gymnasium to see, and instantly recognize our uniform, our red shield, and they will know that whoever is wearing the official Gracie Barra kimono, is a member of the Gracie Barra family representing our philosophy and protecting our values!”
Thus, the Red Shield and all it represents was born and implemented on that very first GB kimono out of Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Purpose of the Gracie Barra Uniform
The Gracie Barra Uniforms were implemented to instill core characteristics among the professors, students, and athletes, to reflect the school and Gracie Barra in a positive and strong image.
When your school requires all students to train in the official Gracie Barra Uniform, it fosters an environment into which professors, students, parents of students, and community members are drawn. The uniform promotes equality and makes for a less intimidating environment. That environment is welcoming, structured, clean, and represents those ideals shown in the above graphic.
The Uniform Guidelines
The GB Uniform is an integral part of the training experience of a Gracie Barra school. As explained above it has great benefits to each member and the school as a whole, having a direct impact on the culture within the school and how outsiders perceive Gracie Barra in tournaments or even when first walking into the school.
To make sure you understand the exact expectations of Gracie Barra in regards to the use of the uniform, here is a complete list of guidelines related to the Gracie Barra Uniform Policy.
The GB Uniform is an integral part of the training experience of a Gracie Barra school. As explained above it has great benefits to each member and the school as a whole, having a direct impact on the culture within the school and how outsiders perceive Gracie Barra in tournaments or even when first walking into the school.
To make sure you understand the exact expectations of Gracie Barra in regards to the use of the uniform, here is a complete list of guidelines related to the Gracie Barra Uniform Policy.
We all must understand that it is a great honor and a huge privilege to wear the official Gracie Barra Uniform, representing generations of students, competitors, professors and masters who gave and give their best to keep our GB legacy alive! We all have a responsibility to respect, protect, and carry on this legacy!