Monthly Archives: September 2008

Tommy Hilfiger Revisits Old Hollywood

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swimwear designer Tommy Hilfiger is embracing old Hollywood glamor … and making it new again.

You may not remember legendary bathing beauties such as Esther Williams, but the swimwear styles she popularized as a pinup swimming icon are unforgettable.

They’re so memorable that Hilfiger is among many designers, including Princesse Tam Tam, creating bikinis and one-piece swimsuits that capture a slice vintage Hollywood glamor with a modern twist.

Hilfiger debuted this luxurious one-piece swimsuit at the New York Fashion Week as part of his spring collection which he calls “relaxed American classics”. The solid one-piece features a daring, plunging neckline, with ruching detail to accentuate the waist.

We love it! It’s glamorous and elegant without being pretentious. Of course, Hilfiger doesn’t stray too far from the sporty, active swimwear we know and love.

Photo courtesy: AP/Louis Lanzano

Vix's "Gold" Rush

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Drawing inspiration from the sun-kissed beaches of Brazil, Vix swimwear designer, Paula Hermanny infuses bold colors and
contrasting prints in the Vix Spring/Summer 2009 swimwear collection.

The new swimwear line debuted at Miami’s Fashion Week and featured elements including beautiful bronze metallics, colorful retro prints contrasted with solids and stripes, unforgettable cut-out monokinis and lots of mod bikinis with exquisite buckle and ring hardware detail.

We think this lavish, gold-like grommet embellished String bikini has major star potential, especially right here in South Beach. What’s not to love about all that bling glittering in the sun?
Vix isn’t the only designer taking note of the “gold rush” swimsuit trend. Guess also has a sizzling gold bikini that’s turning heads.

And Hollywood’s getting gold fever too. The Hills star, Audrina Patridge was recently spotted sporting a hippie-chic, front tie, summer-gold Halter bikini.

Photo courtesy: Vogue.com

Something Special from Salinas

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When it comes to seductive swimwear that captures the essence and soul of Brazilian sensuality, no one does it better than Salinas.

Ever since Tyra Banks graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in a stunning Salinas swimsuit, the swimsuit brand has developed a strong and loyal following of Hollywood celebrities and swimwear aficionados who swear by Salina swimwear.

Salinas Swimwear has become a leader in the swimwear industry and is known for setting bikini trends and using only the highest quality lycra. In the Salinas Spring/Summer collection for 2009, we were impressed with the variety of exotic prints, the use of light, easy colors, shapes and sheer fabrics that took us straight to the carefree beaches of Brazil.

We can’t wait to see this unforgettable sea shell-inspired pearl String bikini with sheer cover-up — straight from the runway of the Brazilian Fashion Week in Rio de Janiero (see video here) — on the beaches of Miami.

Meantime, Salinas’ 2008 swimwear is easily “what’s hot right now” in cruise wear. Floral prints paired with stripes, loveable striped terry cloth bikinis, retro polka dots and mod 60′s inspired prints are hip right now.

Photo courtesy: Xinhua/Reuters

The Rosa Cha Bikini Romper

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It doesn’t matter if you’re a one-piece woman or a brazen, two-piece girl — you’re bound to find something special with Rosa Cha’s swimwear collection for 2009.

Designer Amir Slama unveiled his chic line of super-sexy, high fashion Brazilian swimwear at the New York Fashion Week for Spring 2009 in New York City.

The Rosa Cha collection features soft hues of salmon, creamy buttercup, chocolate and emerald white accented with an assortment of wooden clasps, funky leather belts and tons of crystal beads.

And Slama stayed true to form, presenting a range of daring-yet-traditional swimwear pieces with unconventional, haute couture embellishments.

You can also look forward to seeing beautiful, printed sheer cover-ups in romper and jumpsuit styles. All of Slama’s 2009 designs are stunners, but of course, there was one swimsuit that was an absolute showstopper.

We think this striking aquamarine crystal mesh Triangle bikini, worn under a hip, delicate-looking lace romper and accented with Swarovski encrusted beads along the v-neck, is a “must-have” for any vacation swimwear wardrobe.

But the bikini-romper is so stylish, you can get double-mileage with this sleek look at the beach or at a poolside soiree in South Beach.

Luli Fama and Red Carter also have some sexy, glam suits as well.

Photo courtesy: Bibs Teh

Bikini Hot Pants are Hip

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Would you believe that this retro-inspired, well-constructed and ultra-taylored outfit is actually a two-piece swimsuit designed for the beach?

We didn’t believe it either until we saw it debut at the Miami Swim Show in July. This stylish two piece in deep plum is from the Alexis Barbara “Gabriella” swimwear collection. It’s a chic triangle top that connects in the center, ties in the back and features attractive breast pockets and ruched, broad shoulder straps.

It’s paired with a sexy hipster boy short accented with front pockets and belt loops. You can swim in it or just enjoy looking good in it without ever going anywhere near the beach.

In fact, we think you could easily get away with wearing this sexy bikini with some vintage go-go boots, arm and neck accessories — a long necklace or a trendy scarf to set off that plunging v-neck would be perfect — and a belt to accent the hips.

You could transform from bohemian beach chic by day to mod party girl at night and then head to your favorite club in South Beach!

Swimwear Trend: Exotic Florals

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Remember those Floridian floral prints of yesteryear… somewhat reminiscent of your grandma’s favorite house dress? Yes, those vintage prints were once gaudy, but now they’ve undergone an extreme makeover and are making a comeback in swimwear fashion.

The trend is being set… when it comes to designer swimwear, exotic floral prints of the bohemian-chic kind are officially what’s in for 2009.

Look for swimwear in a variety of hippie-inspired and ethnic “flower child” themes from the 60′s other retro motifs from designers like Red Carter and Salinas.

At the 2009 Swimwear Show in Miami, we saw this fabulous look first-hand at our appointment with Luli Fama. Both models are sporting vibrant, multi-colored bikinis from the “Encanto” line that feature cool patchwork and quilt-print designs for a hippie look.

To the left is a spicy, crystalyzed and ring Triangle top with matching tie sides. On the right is a sizzling halter top featuring an attractive ring-shaped detail in the center with a hipster bottom.

You can’t go wrong with this swimwear fashion trend. As long as the floral print has a retro feel to it, you’re in good shape. Then mix-n-match vintage Floral bikini tops with striped bottoms (and visa versa) and head to South Beach.

This Leopard-Print Bikini is the Cat's Meow

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We can’t even tame this fierce felion… a wild safari-print halter skirtini plucked straight from Betsey Johnson’s eclectic closet at the Miami Swimwear Show this summer.

The leopard-themed swimsuit features a well-constructed halter top accented with an attractive, gold-rimmed band. The bikini top ties in the neck and the back for maximum cleavage control.

And this sassy skirtini offers the best of both worlds — a bold bikini bottom with a flirtatious little skirt combo that offers some derriere coverage without giving up an ounce of sex appeal. Yes, this is perfect for girls with a little “junk in the trunk.”

Leave it to Betsey to come up with a stunner of a bikini that look’s like the cat’s meow. It’s from her “What’s New Pussycat” swimwear collection for 2009, and we can see it becoming a hit right here in sunny South Beach among the hit and uber-trendy crowd.

If you’re into felion and exotic prints, you should also check out Red Carter’s wildcat one-piece monokini and Vix’s animal-print two piece.

Polka Dot Bikinis: Tres Chic

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You can’t go wrong with a polka dot print bikini at the beach. But when you combine pretty polka dots with hot pink, indeed a star is born.

We love all three of these playful dotted swimsuits from the Luli Fama “Lola!!” collection. We saw her newest designs up close when they debuted at the swimwear Tradeshow at the Luli Fama booth inside the Miami Convention Center.

To the far left is a balconet underwire ruffle top paired with moderate bottom with ruffled edging. You can see how the underwire top acts like a push-up bra and accentuates the bust.

In the center, the Triangle top with the hipster bottom has nice ruffle edging adding a nice accent to the polka dots. Of the three, our sweetheart bikini is the on the far right, the ruffle Sliding Halter top with the fun and flirtatious skirtini bottom.

Luli Fama’s not the only one sporting mod dots, Guess swimwear has a lot of retro-dot power in their swimswear collection too.

Anna Kosturova's "Rainbow Bikini" goes Hollywood

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It’s no secret, swimwear designer Anna Kosturova’s one-of-a-kind crochet creations have major star power. Ever since supermodel Marissa Miller graced the cover of SI wearing nothing but layers of turquoise beads paired with Kosturova’s super sexy “Beach Goddess” bikini bottom, the designer has been in uber-high demand.

We were on hand when the Czechoslovakian-born, Vancouver resident debuted her 2009 swimwear collection in July at the Swimwear Tradeshow inside the Miami Convention Center. Her designs were vibrant and alive, capturing the raw essence of hippie-chic ecclecticity in a way that only she can.

Rebecca Gayheart

Rebecca Gayheart

Actress Rebecca Gayheart was probably trying to channel her inner flowerchild when she donned what we’re pretty sure is Anna Kosturova’s “Rainbow Bikini” this summer during a getaway in St. Barts. Remeber her? She played Luke Perry’s mob-princess girlfriend on 90210.

These days she’s better known as Mrs. McSteamy – the real-life wife of “his royal hottness” (a.k.a Eric Dane), who stars as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloane on Grey’s Anatomy.

By the way, Anna Kosturova’s “Rainbow Bikini” is featured as a People.com editor’s pick for “must-have” swimuits. Gotta have one too? Click here and get one in rainbow or turquoise sequine stripes.

Photo courtesy of People.com.

Anna Kournikova Loves Red Carter

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Anna Kournikova was spotted in the front row at the Red Carter Swimwear Show in Miami. Yes, we know that she is or was married to latin pop star Enrique Iglesias (depending on which rumors you believe), but Anna and Red have a number of things in common.

They both live in the fashionable “South of 5th area” in Miami, home to the rich and famous, and we are sure Anna looks great in Red’s suits. Besides that, we are not sure if there is any other connection. Anna may be the most ubiqutous celebrity in Miami. We have seen her a number of times bopping around South Beach and Anna sightings are often. The much covered Anna is in yet another spread, this time modeling sexy swimsuits in Maxim.
She has been known to frequent the Taste bakery on Alton Road in her sweats, where her picture is posted on their bulletin board. Compared to tennis supertstar and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, Maria Sharapova, Anna is quite small but has a fit body and great legs. Anna has also graced the pages of the Sports Illustrated swimwear issue. We could also picture her in this sexy Anna Kosturova cut-out monokini.

Pictured next to Anna is famed model diva Irene Marie of the eponomously named modeling agency. The Irene Marie agency was spotlighted on the very short running MTV show “8th and Ocean.”