Cynthia Rowley is apprehensive about saying she's a surfer.

Though the designer lives on the beach in Montauk, NY, on summer weekends and takes her board to the waves any chance she gets, "It makes me nervous to say I'm a surfer, because then I have to be f-ing good," she admits to StyleList.

Whether Rowley shreds or not, it's safe to say she definitely looks the part, particularly in her new collection for Roxy.

The line made its debut exclusively at Barneys CO-OP in New York City's SoHo neighborhood at a stylish soirée filled with fashion types and hard-core surfers like Tracy Feith and Katie Lee.

The collection of swimsuits, cover-ups, and neoprene pieces evolved organically. "I hooked up with the Roxy people, and it was an instant explosion of ideas," Rowley says.

"They have the history and expertise for the functional side, and I know what my dream surf stuff would be. It has the technical expertise of surf wear."

Rowley has wear-tested all of the pieces and admits you don't have to know how to hang ten to appreciate the collection.

"In a way, actually, the only thing that is really authentic surf is the wet suit," she says. Still, that doesn't mean wearers won't experience the benefits.

"You know how they say everyone looks good in a wet suit? It's like a body shaper on the outside," she explains, gesturing to a magically slimming color-blocked neoprene tank dress.


For pieces designed to slim on turf, read about the designer's upcoming shapewear line.