PORTLAND, OREGON -- (Marketwired) -- 02/05/14

Respect Your Universe, Inc. ("RYU") (TSX VENTURE:RYU) (OTCQB:RYUN) is pleased to announce that it has completed a private placement financing (the "Financing") comprising 13,364,974 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of US$0.10 per Unit for gross proceeds of US$1,336,497.40. Each Unit consists of one common share (a "Share") and one warrant, which entitles the holder to purchase one additional Share at a price of US$0.25 per Share for a period of three years. The proceeds from the sale of this Financing are anticipated to fund acquisition of inventory, commence a new retail store build-out, and general corporate purposes including payment of accounts payable. Additional financing will be required to complete the retail store build-out, acquire inventory from suppliers, open a new outlet store, and fund daily operations. RYU paid a finder's fee of US$115,650 to one finder in connection with the Financing.

RYU is pleased to announce the appointment of Martino Ciambrelli to the board ofdirectors. Mr. Ciambrelli has over 25 years' experience in sales development and management of consumer brands with a focus on the food and beverage industry. Since March 2013, he has been President of Naturo Group Investments Inc., a nutritional beverage and food company. From July 2011 to February 2013, he was Director of Business Development, Pacific at AirSprint Inc., a company that specializes in private aviation solutions. From March 2001 to July 2011, he was Regional Manager Western Canada at Johnvince Foods, which owns the rights to the "Mr. Peanut" brand in Canada.

All securities issued in connection with the Financing will be subject to a statutory four month hold period and applicable US holding periods. None of the securities issued have been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

About RYU

Respect Your Universe, Inc. is a performance apparel brand designed for both athletes and active adults. Crafted from organic and/or earth-friendly materials, RYU apparel enhances movement, is extremely comfortable and healthy for the environment. Founded in 2008, RYU has incorporated the lessons learned from mixed martial arts into beautiful everyday performance wear. For more information, please visit www.ryu.com.

On Behalf of the Board

RESPECT YOUR UNIVERSE, INC.

Craig Brod, CEO and Director

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release, including statements regarding the use of the proceeds from the Financing, are "forward-looking statements", which are based on current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of RYU to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, that RYU may allocate different uses for the proceeds. Except as required by law, RYU undertakes no responsibility to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:
Respect Your Universe, Inc.
818 North Russell Street
Portland, OR 97227
+1 877 798 8326

Respect Your Universe, Inc.
Investor Relations
+1 877 367 0704
ir@ryu.com

Respect Your Universe, Inc.
Media Inquiries
Public Relations
+1 877 798 8326
pr@ryu.com
www.ryu.com