Roxy McKnight shares her name with the most popular line of surf-inspired clothes for gals. So it seems only fitting she’s now working for Roxy, part of Huntington Beach-based Quiksilver Inc. At the end of May, McKnight joined Quiksilver as a public relations assistant for Roxy, a line of clothes for teen girls and young women that makes up about a third of Quiksilver’s $1.9 billion in yearly sales. Her dad, Bob McKnight, cofounded and runs Quiksilver as chief executive. He’s steered the company through a challenging past few years with a failed acquisition and the worst downturn for surf-inspired clothes in recent memory. Roxy hasn’t been immune. It’s faced tough competition from trendy, cheap clothes known as fast fashion. Like her dad, Roxy McKnight said she sees surf-inspired clothes making a comeback. “Surf is something that will never go away,” she said. A recent graduate of the University of Southern California, Roxy McKnight interned at the company during college. Her ultimate goal is to design clothes, she said. Roxy McKnight recently talked with the Business Journal’s Carina Calhoun about her new position.
What was life like growing up in your family?
My dad is from California and my mom is from New Zealand, so we get a mix of cultures and family values that makes for an interesting life. My family is very close. Life growing up was fun. Every day my mom would have my siblings and I do some type of activity. The house was always filled with arts and crafts. The pictures that we would make were stuck all over the walls like a giant art museum. I think that’s where all of us get our creative minds and our love for color and anything hands on. We were also very active and always outside enjoying the beach and sun.
What’s it like working in Roxy public relations?
It keeps me on my toes, and that’s what I like. This place has personality, and it’s a family. We are always working on projects and upcoming events. Due to us having to be steps ahead of each season, we do photo shoots a lot. We are holding an event in Westwood at the end of the July for Radio Fiji, one of (Roxy’s) corresponding brands. Then I am helping my sister (Kristi McKnight), who works in Quiksilver public relations, at an event taking place in New York. There is always something new going on and another project to look forward to. Everyone who works here brings something to the table. The atmosphere is really active, which is what Quiksilver represents, an active and energetic lifestyle.
Are there expectations of you and your sister because of your dad?
Maybe a little bit. But generally I don’t think so. I would at least hope it isn’t like that. I want to be my own person. I want to learn everything on my own and put in the hard work. And my dad wouldn’t have it any other way.
How is it sharing the name Roxy with the most famous line of surfwear for girls and young women?
I was actually named after Roxy Green. She is Alan Green’s daughter. He was the founder of Quiksilver in Australia in the 1970s. Since I was named after her, the brand is kind of named after both of us. The name represents a fun, free-spirited girl, and I like that.
Quiksilver has taken some big hits in the past couple of years. Where do you see the company going from here?
Quiksilver is in a really good place right now. The company has seen different economic crises in the past and has gotten through them and has only grown from that. We are starting to branch out in new ways. It’s actually a really exciting time. Surf is something that will never go away. It will always be there, especially here in Southern California. It’s a culture, and with the economy crumbling or not, it will be there and so will Quiksilver.
What do you hope to accomplish within the company?
Eventually, I am hoping to spend some time in New York and do some work from there. I want to learn everything I can. I just got out of school so I am working my way up. I wouldn’t mind eventually design- ing, since that’s a passion of mine. I have been doing it all my life. I would love to go to an art and fashion school eventually. I always wanted to work here because I grew up with the company. Also with my passion for art and growing up surfing, this is a company I would be interest- ed in working for, even if my dad wasn’t here.
What are some of your interests or hobbies?
I’m really into art, drawing and painting. I have always been into the design arts and fashion ever since I was little. I also like to be active and go surfing and snowboarding, which is what I grew up doing. And I like reading and traveling. My dad always encouraged me to travel. n
