OUR STORY
how we got here
In 2023 we embarked on a journey to develop a range of men's lifestyle wear, that focused on versatility, comfort, form, and function. Our vision was to create a line of clothing that would seamlessly transition from the board room, to a relaxed day out, drinks with friends but also allow you to fit a workout at the gym or quick afternoon run.
As our range gained traction, the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our male customers was soon accompanied by a recurring question: "When will you release a women’s range?" This sparked an important conversation. We realised that women in South Africa faced similar frustrations when it came to finding a range of clothing that met their needs—pieces that offered versatility, style, and comfort without compromising on quality.
To navigate this exciting yet competitive space, we brought on a close friend, Lara Tennent, as a shareholder. With her extensive experience in retail and her in-depth market knowledge, Lara was the perfect addition to the Maru team.
Together, we took on the challenge of designing a women’s range that resonated with our core values of versatility and functionality while embracing feminine style.
The journey has been one of growth, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of what our customers value most.
By listening to their needs and evolving with their feedback, we’re proud to now offer a brand that champions inclusivity and innovation for both men and women.
WHAT’S IN THE NAME
The founders work in the commercial fishing sector, managing the operations and logistics for a range of deep-sea fishing vessels. Japanese-built vessels often have the word “maru” as a suffix to a ship’s name (e.g. Nikko Maru No.1 / Koryo Maru No.11). The “maru” term (pronounced “ma-roo”) refers to a circle which has no weak point and represents perfection or completeness; all good omens when building and sailing deep sea-faring vessels.
For us the name Maru represents balance, in the same way, a circle is perfectly balanced, simple in design and flawless. Our aim is to develop a range of lifestyle wear that is balanced and serves more than one function. We enable balanced lifestyles by ensuring versatility in the garments we design so that you are not limited by the clothing choices you make.
BEHIND THE LOGO
Circle + “M” = The Maru Way of Movement.
The logo has as sense of motion and balance. It is the core of what Maru represents, so we wanted visually symbolise Maru’s values in a clean and unfurnished way. Movement, Versatility and Quality. A constant strive to find balance in our lives.
BECOME AN AMBASSADOR
Complete the application below if you believe in what Maru stands for and feel like you would make an ideal brand ambassador.