SURFERS LIAN MURRAY AND ZIGGY WILLIAMS LAUNCH AFTER-WETSUIT GEAR FOR THAT CALIFORNIA VIBE
TEXT: JUDITH ECOCHARD
Read the retail trades and weep EXCEPT if the company is involved is aiming for that booming street/performance/casual space that’s seeing earnings growth this year.
Which is why we think the brand new brand AQUA VI is a fashion forward line that’s in the sweet spot-with tops, board shorts, and denim that’s already donning the hip bods of celebs like James Denton the not so desperate husband on Desperate Housewives- and Britney Spears.
BACKSTORY: Lian Murray toiled at surfwear companies that's a who’s who of ocean lifestyles-Quicksliver, Billabong, and Hurley International (which she co-founded).
Now she’s setting new waves, teaming up with Ziggy Williams-another avid surfer- to “fill a void of premium surfwear that has yet to be fulfilled.”
THE GOODS: For the 16-26 years old (or more LIKE US) who’s living California Dreaming-there’s clingy knits, boardshorts trimmed in leather, denim, buckles with custom hardware…plus super soft tees and hoodies with graphic maritime prints like skulls, crossbones, daggers and scrolls. Channeling one’s inner Pirate-the eye-catching designs give a sophisticated edge to basics we landlubbers can live in.
RETAIL PARTNERSHIPS: Keeping it fresh, Murray and Williams wisely team up with retail outlets for one-off, limited edition merchandise. For instance, the savvy boutiques of coast-to-coast Buckle have recently agreed to carry the line, as well as include the dagger logo on their bags. Murray, who surfer dude Bob Hurley (of Hurley International) calls "brilliant,” truly believes that she "can bring Ralph Lauren to the surf industry."
Though chances are Lauren will slap on a few polo players on that clothing niche-eventually…it’s way cooler to go to the source.
PRICES: T-shirts $48 to $64
Boardshorts $70 to $90
Denim $100 to $150
DETAILS WE LOVE: Tees and hoodies are long in length for hip lovin' low risers but fitted enough to tuck into higher waist pants w/o rumply wrinkles.
WHERE TO BUY IT:
Nordstrom
Moody Blues-Phoenix, AZ
Buckle
American Rag three CA locations
Metropark
M.Fredric Southern CA