ROXY Unveils Third Sustainable Pop Surf Collection

Ever inspired by the oceans, ROXY presents its latest POP Surf collection, an eco-fabricated range of products from swim to wetsuits, designed to offer high-level technical products from the quiet waters of the Mediterranean to the Hawaiian shore break.

Style duality with sustainability at heart

Soft hues, tropical prints, athletic cuts… The new POP Surf collection ranges from vibrant designs to pastel tones, set in technical gear fit for a challenge. From bikinis and one-pieces to wetsuits, the collection is the perfect companion from the pool to the beach.

And at the very heart of the collection, ROXY’s sustainability efforts.

Nylon made from 100% regenerated polyamide in POP Surf swimwear, water-based glue, dope-dye yarn, neoprene made 100% from limestone and polyester made from recycled plastic bottles in the POP Surf wetsuits, production partners who take pride in sustainable and ethical efforts… The collection does not compromise.

What this truly means

–600 grams of solvent / VOC eliminated per wetsuit

–104L of water resources saved per kilogram of fabric

–25 plastic bottled recyled per wetsuit

-A step in the right direction

A perfect ambassador

For the 3rd consecutive season, 7x World Champion Stephanie Gilmore will be the face of the POP Surf collection. The Australian ROXY Girl has long been an ambassador for sustainability, urging supporters and partners to take the next step to care for our planet.

The POP Surf collection is performance-driven, stylish and sustainability-focused, a perfect reflection of the champion herself.

“We are surfers. ROXY’s DNA is the ocean. Ocean health is one of the most important and urgent issues in our Earth’s sustainability right now.” – Stephanie Gilmore, 7 x World Champion

Working together

The 2020 POP Surf collection is a proud partner of the Surfrider Foundation, an environmental not-for-profit organization that aims at defending the ocean and the coastline, waves in a sustainable manner.

ABOUT ROXY

ROXY, a brand of Boardriders, Inc., has been empowering female pioneers since 1990. The first and only exclusively-female global action sports brand, ROXY specializes in the development and design of trend-leading, technically innovative lifestyle and performance wear inspired by the Mountain & the Wave. By creating first-of-its-kind products designed for surfing, winter sports, fitness and yoga & cultivating a breed of female pioneers who changed the course of sport, ROXY has empowered all women to challenge the status quo in every arena of their lives.

ABOUT STEPHANIE GILMORE

Stephanie has dominated women’s professional surfing since she entered the scene in 2007 – winning a world title as a rookie and following with five titles in as many attempts – an accomplishment no other surfer, male or female, has achieved in the history of surfing.

Beyond her seven world titles, Stephanie has 32 elite World Tour victories. For her triumphs, Stephanie has also been awarded both the Laureus World Sports Award in 2010, considered the most prestigious award in action sports worldwide, and has received two ESPN ESPYs for Female Action Sports Person in 2011 and 2013.

ABOUT THE SURFRIDER FOUNDATION

The Surfrider Foundation is a worldwide not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches through a powerful volunteer chapters network. It gathers a community of everyday people who passionately protect their playground. Since its creation in the 80’s, Surfrider has raised awareness among thousands of citizens and had highly contributed to regulation enhancement regarding water quality, marine litter pollution and coastal planning.

EVERYDAY IS A ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTION

Something that has become really apparent to me lately is that every day that we're experiencing this strange time of COVID-19 stay home order, we experience a roller coaster of emotions.

Someone said to me recently that the entire world is in a state of grief. When I heard this, it really clarified things for me. I suddenly felt permission to feel all the feelings.

Some days I find that I'm beating myself up for not doing enough. I feel as though I'm supposed to be using this time to be super productive. And some days I am, which is great. Other days, I am not. At all.

I've read 6 novels in 3 weeks. There have been days when I have done nothing but read because I feel sad and confused and worried and tired.

Some days I feel all of those things in one day!

Is any of this resonating with you? Are you struggling to feel any consistency in your days? Do you worry about how productive you're being or whether you're "supposed" to feel or act a certain way?

If so, I'm going to tell you that you are allowed to feel all of these things and more without the guilt.
There is a large community of you that are also taking on the care of children and/or elderly and/or sick family members. I can only imagine the roller coaster you're going through. And I'm sorry.

Others are dealing with anxiety and fear.

Others are highly stressed about launches, marketing, selling, and keeping your fashion business afloat.

Others still are managing to stay positive and motivated even while experiencing these strange and confusing times.

And all of those responses are right. All of them are OK.

So this is a note to tell you all that, no matter your situation, there are no right or wrong answers here. We are all dealing in our own way. And how we deal is different for everyone.

I realize you don't need my permission to grieve. I realize you don't need my permission to stay productive and positive. And I realize that you don't need me to tell you that whatever your roller coaster looks like, there is nothing wrong with it.

But I know that many of you read these notes I write because you're looking for encouragement and guidance and support.

And right now, encouragement, guidance, and support are coming in the form of permission.

Permission to get through this time in whatever ways you need. Permission to adapt the best way you know how. Permission to do everything or nothing.

I hope that helps.
Lots of love and encouragement,

Taylor & Cece
The Swim Week Calendar

Victoria’s Secret Sale in Jeopardy

L Brands’ deal to sell a 55% stake in Victoria’s Secret to private equity Sycamore Partners could be in jeopardy. In it’s annual report, filed with the Securities and Exchange commission on Monday, the company said there was a risk the deal might not close. “Assuming the VS Transaction is completed, there can be no assurance that we will be able to realize the anticipated value and benefits therefrom, and the VS transaction may adversely affect our business,” the company wrote. “The proposed transaction will result in a smaller, less diversified and more narrowly focused business than before the VS Transaction, which makes us more vulnerable to changing market and economic conditions.”

In an attempt to save money, as of April 5, L Brands is furloughing all in-store associates and anyone not needed for the support of the online beusiness until furter notice. “As circumstances change, we will make every effort to bring these associates back to work as soon as possible,” the company wrote in a statement Friday. “Furloughed associates will also be able to apply for unemployment benefits, if eligible.”

Father and daughter create swimsuit that trans kids can feel comfortable wearing

The swimsuit was tailored to meet the needs of trans girls and the company uses the slogan "every girl deserves to shine".

A father worried that his 11 year-old daughter would feel uncomfortable in a swimsuit took it upon himself to design a bikini that would be comfortable for trans girls.

Last year, Jamie Alexander was heading to Panama with his daughter Ruby for a trip to the beach he discovered that there was no swimwear available for trans girls. After researching online he found many parents in a similar situation.

Although he had no background in fashion or textiles, he was successful in his goal to create comfortable swimwear for trans girls that wouldn’t trigger gender dysphoria.

The company, named after his daughter, is called RUBIES and its slogan is “Every Girl Deserves to Shine.”

“In the early days, when she socially transitioned,” Alexander said, “we put her in boys’ clothing for gym and swimming. But for swimsuits in public, it’s a general fear that you don’t want your kid to be sort of called out… it’s a potential safety issue.”

Alexander was helped by the business incubator, Ryerson’s Fashion Zone, who helped him network with industry advisers in fashion and technology.

Prototypes were developed and tested by 25 trans girls in the US and Australia and they now have a finished product.

Rubies is currently selling swimsuit bottoms for trans girls in black and sparkling pink which can be paired with tops purchased elsewhere.

Alexander says he would like to send free pairs to girls whose families can’t afford them.

They have plans to create a one-piece swimsuit and leggings for those who practice dance or gymnastics.

With each purchase, Alexander and Ruby include a handwritten card. On one card his daughter wrote, “You are like a star that shines bright, that’s more special than anyone else. And don’t let anyone dim that light.”

A woman who purchased the swimwear and received a card said: “As I was reading this, I was crying and this is tears of joy that someone really cares.”

Land's End, Draper James pair for swimwear collection

Lands' End is partnering with Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James on a size-inclusive swimwear collection featuring Southern-influenced magnolia and gingham prints and Americana design details.

The Draper James Lands' End collection is made up of 23 swim, apparel and accessory pieces in sizes XS to 3X and 2 to 24 with prices ranging from $29.95 to $109.95, with new styles debuting throughout March and April.

A portion of all proceeds from the collection will be donated to Girls Inc., an organization that promotes service, advocacy and body positivity.

"Lands' End's approach to swim and dedication to fit-testing in all sizes was in line with our goal to deliver comfort, style and body confidence," Witherspoon said, saying the collection offers “tried-and-true fit to women of all shapes and sizes."

"At Lands' End we pride ourselves on fitting every body and focus on creating comfortable pieces for our customer. We strive to provide our customer with the best possible fit to make her feel stylish and confident in her everyday life." said Chieh Tsai, Chief Product Officer, Lands' End.

The collection will be available at LandsEnd.com, DraperJames.com, Amazon.com, Lands' End retail locations, and Draper James locations in Nashville, Atlanta, Lexington, Kentucky and Southlake, Texas.

Dodgeville, Wisconsin-based Land’s End (Nasdaq: LE) also announced this week it was forming a retail partnership with Kohl’s after exiting a nearly two-decades long relationship with Sears.

Online orders via Kohl's will be directly fulfilled and shipped by Lands’ End, and products available in Kohl’s stores will focus on seasonal goods, including outerwear in the fall/winter season and swimwear in spring/summer.

Select Kohl’s stores will feature a Lands’ End shop-in-shop, similar to a model used in Sears stores.

Asos pauses supplier deliveries

Asos has paused several incoming deliveries from suppliers and third-party brands as it makes adjustments to manage its stock throughout the coronavirus uncertainty. 

Like many other brands and retailers, Asos is adjusting its stock intake. As a result, the etailer is understood to be refusing shipments for spring 20 orders from several third-party brands and suppliers. 

Last week Monsoon Accessorize, Debenhams and M&Co extended their supplier payment terms, effective immediately. Meanwhile, New Look put a halt on all current and future production and Primark wrote to all suppliers asking them to put a halt on all current and future production and the purchasing of any materials for the retailer. 

One source close to Asos said: “They were one of our few hopes – our situation is dire at the moment. Surely, as one of the online giants, they have a responsibility to support smaller brands as much as they can?” 

Asos is continuing to serve its customer deliveries as usual.

Volcom Furloughs 75 Percent of Its Workers While Making Plans to Ramp Up

Action sports apparel firm Volcom LLC furloughed most of its staff, according to a report from Shop-Eat-Surf, after a statewide lockdown this week halted operations for many California businesses.

The industry news site reported 75% of its U.S. staff and all of its European workforce were furloughed. Volcom employes 270 workers in California and 890 globally.

Inquiries to Volcom and its New York parent Authentic Brands Group were not immediately returned Saturday afternoon.

ABG and Volcom management last year formed the operating company Liberated Brands to purchase Volcom’s operations from French luxury conglomerate Kering S.A. ABG, separately, acquired Volcom’s intellectual property from Kering to license back to Liberated Brands.

The furloughs follow California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order this week. Businesses dubbed essential, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, can continue operating.

Volcom is currently running a "40% off everything" sale online.