The Roxy logo was created in the style of the Quiksilver Inc. emblem. The designers duplicated the parent company’s symbol and rotated the elements to form a heart shape. This expresses love for customers.
Quiksilver launched Roxy in 1990, when the surf market was largely male-dominated. Women who surfed often had to wear men’s shorts or poorly fitted alternatives in stores. Maritxu Darrigrand, a former French surfing champion who had worked in Quiksilver marketing since 1987, argued for a separate women’s brand, and CEO Bob McKnight backed the idea.
The first Roxy collection focused on technical swimwear for active swimming and surfing, featuring chlorine- and sea salt-resistant fabrics, ergonomic cuts, and enhanced support. Its logo, a heart formed from two mirrored Quiksilver waves, linked the new label to its parent company while giving it a separate identity.
In 1993, Roxy released women’s boardshorts designed by a female team, with a fit made for surfing rather than adapted from men’s clothing. In 1994, world champion Lisa Andersen joined the brand. She gave product feedback on the water and won four ASP world titles in a row with Roxy, from 1994 to 1997.
The brand later moved into snowboarding and ski gear, using the same women-specific product logic. Norwegian snowboarder Stine Brun Kjeldaas became a key face of the winter line. In 2010, Torah Bright won Olympic halfpipe gold in Vancouver under the Roxy name. Quiksilver filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015, restructured as Boardriders in 2016, acquired Billabong in 2018, and was acquired by Authentic Brands Group in 2023, along with Roxy, DC Shoes, Quiksilver, and Billabong.
Meaning and History
The active sports clothing and accessories line is named after Alan Green and Bob McKnight’s daughters. One founded Quiksilver Inc., and the other served as its CEO; both had daughters named Roxy. As Randy Hild of Marketing admitted, they chose the name because of its association with The Roxy nightclub and the English rock band Roxy Music.
The brand logo is directly related to the Quiksilver symbol, created in 1973 by two men, John Law and Alan Green. The designers duplicated the parent company’s emblem and positioned the two parts at a 45-degree angle, so they appear as mirror images and form a large heart.
What is Roxy?
This brand creates women’s clothing and accessories inspired by surfing and an active lifestyle. Its items suit those passionate about extreme sports and the ocean who value comfort. The range includes swimsuits, wetsuits, casual wear, snowboarding gear, and fitness collections. Popular items feature beachwear with vibrant patterns and the signature heart-shaped emblem. The brand also makes accessories such as backpacks, watches, glasses, and bags that reflect freedom and adventure. Professional surfers and snowboarders test new collections.
The Roxy logo debuted in 1993, following the brand’s rebirth. It features a heart symbol that expresses sincere love for sports. Up close, the design shows two snow-covered mountains and two high waves that look like folded palms. As you know from the history of the Quiksilver emblem, the original inspiration for the drawing was an engraving of The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
Font and Colors
The Roxy symbol’s simple, minimalist style is offset by its complex structure and deep meaning. Both waves and mountains reference the sports the manufacturer promotes. The main ones are surfing and snowboarding. Here, the heart expresses love for the active lifestyle, fashionable clothes, and Quiksilver customers.
The creators of the Roxy logo did not consider typography, as it contains no inscriptions; the whole idea is conveyed solely through the graphic image of mountain peaks surrounded by waves. These elements look minimalist despite their complex structure because they are presented on a simple palette. The designers used a classic black-and-white combination to keep attention on the most important thing: the brand’s products. The white heart is formed by the negative space between two wave crests.



