Taking the jungle to the beach
MIAMI BEACH, FLA. — Surf’s up next summer.
From rash guards to zipper-brief bottoms, sporty-chic made waves on the runway in Miami Beach for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, which celebrated its 10th year with more than a dozen shows ending Monday.
The shows previewed summer 2015 swimwear.
“Sport luxe is making a big impact into swimwear,” said Sue Di Chio, creative director of Suboo.
Prints and bright colours will return next year, along with mesh, high-waist bottoms and laser-cut designs. Dolores Cortes
A mix of tribal and contemporary inspiration was on show with laminated fabrics, glass beads and braid structures.
Black-and-white bikinis were paired with oversized gold-plated bracelets and earrings with 3-D animal details. Other designs included multi-coloured maillots with open backs and sides and a gold pantsuit. Showstoppers were tortoise shell bikinis. Wildfox
Party like it’s 1999 was the theme of the Wildfox Swim show. “Wild Thing” was printed on a tank bikini top paired with a bottom that had a paw scratch on the back. A red one-piece with highcut sides read “This Bod’s For You.” Crowd favourites included a pastel-coloured one-piece with pink belt and a bikini covered in oversized flowers. We Are Handsome
Jeremy and Katinka Somers are behind this Australian label. Prints included hummingbirds intertwined with pineapples; mirrored cheetahs in red and blue; the brand’s signature big cat print; and maps, sails and palm trees. Male models sported trunks in prints. Tory Burch
Swimwear was inspired by the sun-bleached palette of Milton Avery, a modern U.S. painter. Laid-back looks included surf shirts, dresses and tunics, and buttondown shirts that can be worn over bathing suits. A shortsleeved rash guard included a floral print called Red Pepper Issy with short ruffles along the collar. Accessories included oversized marbled sunglasses and perforated leather shoes. Mikoh
Inspired by the travels of sisters Kalani and Oleema Miller, Mikoh opened with Tahitian dancers wearing custom pieces from the surf collection made from coated neoprene.
There were sleek designs (neoprene maillot with a halter-style top) and new prints (crashing white water, palm trees, a Samoan print) and colours (rich greens and reds, coral, turquoise and neutrals). Bikinis were paired with multi-string and lasercut bottoms. Mara Hoffman
A jungle-warrior theme offered bright colours and prints inspired by Guatemala. Standouts included a one-piece rash guard swimsuit with a colourful print on the front and black and white checkered print on the sleeves, and a cropped, longsleeved rash guard paired with high-waist bottoms.
Other looks included cutout one-pieces with intricate beading, and black mesh pieces (bikini and dress) with sunburst texture. Maaji Swimwear
Looks were inspired by horse riding and greyhounds. The Royal Riders collection included bustier bikini tops printed with plum greyhounds and red gingham; boy-short bottoms printed with fuchsia roses and orange horses; and a crop rash guard printed with orange horses and blue dots. Short trunks for men included similar prints and colours. Luli Fama
Inspired by the TV show Miami Vice, Luli Fama included pastels and neons along with tropical patterns and prints. The line is known for sexy, skimpy bottoms, which caught the attention of singer LeAnn Rimes.
“I like butts and they do a really good butt,” she said after the show.