Quik Chicks

Quiksilver Line

From Surfer Chick to Sophisticated Chic: Quiksilver Redefines its Ladies’ Lines – By Ashley Breeding

First there was Roxy by Quiksilver, a collection of fashionable, sporty beachwear for the girl who loves to play in the surf and snow. In 2008, the surf company launched QSW, a more contemporary and sophisticated sub-brand for older girls rooted in the California coast, which gets an even more rootsy makeover this fall. “Roxy was made for the girl in the water, while this collection was designed more for the girlfriend of the guy in the water,” says Roxy McKnight, the surfer chick (and now Quik’s public relations rep) who inspired the eponymous label. “She’s a beach lover who’s a little more put together.” A third line for women under the Quiksilver label, added earlier this year, offers beach gal essentials like timeless denim, vintage tees and cozy knits. This fall, both women’s collections go “coastal classic,” says John Moore, who designed the garments for both labels.

Heavily inspired by San Francisco’s Outer Sunset neighborhood—a tight-knit, coastal community of artists, surfers and other creative types, where there is an an immense respect for nature, music and art—Moore says he created playfully sophisticated styles in soft, wearable fabrics for Quiksilver Women: ultra-light tees; colorful jersey knits; airy dresses for those last days beneath the late summer rays; and boyfriend blazers to keep warm in autumn’s evening chill. Located just two hours from Tahoe and home to ocean and mountain lovers alike, the vibe of the town also inspired styles like the cozy Snow Blanket cardigan, and classic flannels and button-downs.

For the more sophisticated QSW line, Moore collaborated with Outer Sunset resident, artist and curator Serena Mitnik-Miller, whose watercolor paintings and use of geometric shapes, earthy nature and affinity for vintage and handcrafted design lent a rootsy and artsy vibe to the current collection. Her influence is reflected in Moore’s use of muted watercolor-like hues; bold geometric ocean and petal prints; hand-embroidered wave patterns; patchwork denim; silk;  leather; and wool blends.

“The fluidity and color of Serena’s artwork parallels the QSW brand,” Moore explains. “Clothes blend with who a girl is—they don’t define her. It’s an effortless look, top to bottom.” We’re especially fond of The Catch button-downs, Marled Henley tops and Nouveau Deco and Coastal Stripe prints. Try the collection at a Quiksilver store or visit quiksilver.com. ,