Life is Better When You Surf® - Cynthia Rowley
It all started back in June 2024 with a spark of an idea: what if we brought together the worlds of high fashion, surf culture, and purpose-driven design? That spark turned into a three-way collaboration between Cynthia Rowley, Salt Gypsy, and Global Surf Industries—three very different forces united by a love for the ocean and a desire to create something truly beautiful.
Fuelled by a shared appreciation for bold expression and surf-stoked living, we jumped on a Zoom call with Cynthia Rowley—yes, the iconic New York designer who also happens to be an avid surfer and Salt Gypsy founder Danielle Clayton to talk about what this collab could look like. Turns out, it looked pretty damn good. Vibrant palettes, clean lines, and boards built not just to ride but to represent.
In this interview, Cynthia opens up about her passion for surfing. We hope you enjoy the read. Be sure to check out the boards—they’re as beautiful as the story behind them.
GSI: Hi Cynthia, tell us about yourself, where you live and what you do.
CR: I'm the founder of my eponymous label, where we create ready-to-wear, accessories, snow, surf, and swim. I live in the Big Apple—downtown New York!
GSI: How old were you when you learnt to surf? Where was it, and who taught you?
CR: I'm originally from Illinois, smack in the middle of the U.S.—not a wave for miles. After moving to New York, I bought a little shack on the beach in a town called Montauk. My friend said, "You can't have this house and not surf. I'm going to take you out." That day changed my life forever.
GSI: What is the best tip you have for anyone learning to surf?
CR: Get yourself a cool wetsuit, cause you'll feel like a superhero and go get em!
GSI: Tell us about a surf session that really sticks in your mind and why?
CR: After a big runway show in Hong Kong, my daughter Kit and I took a taxi out to a place called Big Wave Bay—just a twenty-minute drive. We rented some surfboards and had a great sesh in the most unexpected place.
GSI: What is your favourite surf spot?
CR: Maria's in Rincon Puerto Rico, Long Beach New York, The Pass in Byron Bay, Freights in Barbados, Kauai Hawaii Hanalei Bay, Carcavelos Portugal, Sayulita Mexico, San Onofre California and many more! It's too hard to choose just one.
GSI: I am guessing you have a hectic life. How do you make time for surfing?
CR: I go to the beach every weekend in the summer and pray for waves! The rest of the year, I go searching for them.
GSI: How does it feel to share the waves with your daughters?
CR: They don't share - LOL! It's the best feeling to be able to share this hobby with them.
GSI: Where do you see the intersection of surf and fashion these days?
CR: Vogue called our wetsuits "surf-leisure" because you don’t have to surf to wear them. When we started making our own, no one was printing on wetsuits, and there was hardly anything available that was both sexy and beautiful. What we do is incredibly difficult to make, which is why we are still one of the only ones doing it.
GSI: What is your favourite board in the Cynthia Rowley x Salt Gypsy range?
CR: All of them! We're so honored to be able to partner with Salt Gypsy and make these boards come to life.
GSI: Our company mantra is ‘Life is Better When You Surf®️”. How does that statement resonate with you?
CR: To that I say, agreed!
