THE YOUNG TRENDSETTER

It’s only fitting that designer to the (social media) stars Alexandra Grief and her popular Montce Swim line call South Florida home.

Miami plays host to the annual Swim Week every July, but there’s plenty of models showing off skin the rest of the year, too. If you’re wondering whose bikinis are behind the most-liked It girl posts on Instagram (Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, and Jennifer Lopez included), here’s your answer: South Florida-born and -raised Alexandra Grief—designer of the highly coveted swimwear label Montce Swim, renowned for its barely-there bikini bottoms and figure-flattering prints. “We’re all about fit and comfort,” says Grief.

But before Montce became a sensation among A-listers, Grief began designing out of her Fort Lauderdale apartment in 2009. “I owe my success to word of mouth through local girls,” she says. Now, Montce has more than 258,000 followers on Instagram (@Montce_swim) and countless order requests from famous fashionistas. And soon, guys will get in on the action as well. “We’re thinking of getting into men’s swim trunks and board shorts.” The swimwear brand currently has two successful boutiques in Fort Lauderdale and LA. Next up? “We’ll be opening a store in Miami as soon as possible in 2018,” Grief says. “We’re thinking the Wynwood Arts District or Sunset Harbour.” 731 NE Second Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954-440-2522; montce.com