Kate Bosworth wears a piece from the new ROXY Kate Bosworth collection
In 2002, 18-year-old Kate Bosworth launched her career with her performance as an aspiring surfer looking to make it big in Blue Crush.
Bosworth had never ridden a surfboard before she landed the role—in fact, she famously took a crash course in surfing to convince producers she could look authentic in the role—but even as she’s starred in other memorable projects, she’s forever tied to the role that made her a star.
So 20 years later, it seems right that Bosworth would return to the world of surfing in the form of a capsule collection with women’s surf brand ROXY, which launched on Wednesday.
Even the designs in the collection harken back to the early aughts—just as those styles come back around for a new generation. There are boardshorts, triangle bikinis, cargo pants, bucket hats and tropical prints galore—paired with, naturally, puka shell necklaces.
“I’m so thrilled to collaborate with ROXY on a collection that is so close to my heart and embodies the energy and optimism I share with the brand,” Bosworth said. “Each piece tells a specific story but the floral bikini has a special place in my heart. It’s vibrant, comfortable and a true summer staple!”
Bosworth was joined by a who’s who of ROXY surfers on the North Shore of O’ahu to shoot the images for the collection—the life that her Blue Crush character, Anne Marie, dreamed of.
Eight-time World Surfing Champion Stephanie Gilmore, four-time World Surfing Champion Lisa Andersen, two-time World Longboarding Champion Kelia Moniz, big wave rider Izzi Gomez, pro surfer Sakura Johnson and free-surfers Suelen Naraisa and Maluhia Kinimaka joined Bosworth to celebrate the new collection.
Eight-time World Surfing Champion Stephanie Gilmore, four-time World Surfing Champion Lisa Andersen, ... [+]
“I felt a really warm embrace from the surf community 20 years ago and I still have such a deep connection to O’ahu and the wonderful people I’ve met here,” Bosworth said of shooting on the North Shore. “It feels like a home away from home.”
In Blue Crush, Bosworth’s character says that she aspires to be on the cover of Surfer magazine—but that she’d take any girl getting the chance.
Andersen, in fact, did that in real life—in 1996, she was the first woman in 15 years to be featured on the cover of Surfer.
Fourteen years later, Carissa Moore became the youngest woman (at 16) to earn the honor and the first since Andersen.
Surfing looks almost nothing now like it did when Blue Crush was released—in a good way. In 2018, the sport’s governing body announced the introduction of equal prize money for men and women, and the infrastructure of the pipeline for aspiring young surfers to turn pro is robust.
But the signature style of the early 2000s and Blue Crush have transcended a singular point in time, and with the release of Bosworth’s new ROXY collection, a new generation of female surfers will get to experience it all over again.
The Kate Bosworth collection is available on ROXY’s website and in select stores worldwide. Prices range from $46 (tank tops and slide sandals) to $130 (one-piece swimsuit).
