Finding Passion at The Mount
Nicole “Nikki Roxx” Murray, a fashion designer, shared her experience with the junior class on Sep. 9, 2025 at the Mount. From discovering her passion as a student at the Mount to working with powerhouse brands in fashion, she took many risks along the way which led her to launch the successful swim and surfwear brand Nikki Roxx Surf, centered around comfort and confidence for women of all ages.
Although having graduated from the Mount over 30 years ago (class of ‘88), Murray and her designs continue to impact the Mount community. Her brand, Nikki Roxx, will be worn by the senior models in the 2025 Mount Fashion Show. Having Murray speak her wisdom to the class of ‘27 was quite the honor.
Throughout her time at the Mount, Murray not only found her passion and talent in fashion design, but also created bonds with her sisters who would support her for years to come. She shared how her Mount community encouraged her while she created a swim fashion brand of her own.
“That sense of community just helps me feel confident and realize I have some great friends here that I can rely on, [friends] that I can lean on when I need help or am trying to think of a solution,” Murray said.
The women at the Mount show up for their peers even 20-30 years after graduation.
Murray was a very involved student at the Mount, whose many experiences helped shape her character and work ethic. She could be seen dancing in the school musicals, playing tennis, going on her class trip to Europe, and ultimately, designing the costumes for the school musicals, which sparked her interest in fashion.
Taking Bold Steps in Education and Career
Murray went on to study fashion design at Rhode Island School of Design after being advised by a teacher at the Mount, Sister Mary Boyer, who opened her eyes to the school. She has always had a passion for taking risks. While most of her other friends were attending Ivy League schools and studying business, she chose a different path for herself and fell in love with the school during her visit. There, she focused entirely on fashion — learning design techniques, and developing her creative skills.
“It is uncommon to go to a fashion design school when going to the Mount. Having someone who went to design school from the Mount tells me that it is worth it to go to school for fashion design really inspired me,” Riley Malloy ‘27 said.
Lessons In Risk and Perseverance
“I took a lot of risks throughout my career, but it was always trying to figure out what’s the smartest way to do it, or is it a right risk for me to take to move forward. So I would tell myself, senior year, to continue the risk of going to art school,” Murray said.
Murray stressed to the students the importance of taking risks throughout her career. She has a skill for spotting and predicting trends — seeing what is happening and what’s on the rise with other companies and incorporating it into her designs.
“Hearing Nikki talk was very eye opening for me. You can tell she discovered what she wanted to do being at the Mount, and took her passion and made it into something. It made me realize I can find my passion here, and take it and do whatever I want to in the future,” Cara Gordon ‘27 said.
Murray’s perseverance and adaptations to changes in her career inspired the young women she spoke to.
After graduating, Murray moved to New York City, where she started her first job at Ralph Lauren, launching her career in the fashion industry. She then created the fashion line Dollhouse and later started her own footwear brand “NM70”. Then went on to be a design Director at Anthropologie and Free People. Her college experience was key in shaping her professional path, equipping her with the skills and inspiration needed to be a designer.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Tara Ciolko ‘27 shared that Murray and her mom were friends, and her mom encouraged her to surf often, which led Tara to joining Niki’s women’s surf group in New Jersey @nikiroxxsurf, where women of all ages and surfing levels catch waves together. Niki’s mantra is “no one surfs alone.”
“Nikki really inspired my inner surfer,” Ciolko said.
Beyond surfing, Ciolko also mentioned being deeply inspired by Murray’s career in fashion — especially her ability to start her own clothing brand and pursue her creative goals.
“She’s been such a big inspiration, not just in surfing, but in fashion too. I’m so inspired by how she started her own fashion career and built her clothing line from scratch.” Ciolko stated.
Murray’s creativity and confidence continue to motivate young girls to follow their own passions, both in and out of the water — leaving a powerful impact on the younger generation.
