I had a lot of fun picking out my outfits for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim a few weeks ago. Since Miami is known for bright colors I decided to stick mostly on trend and wear vibrant pieces like the above Laundry by Design dress that I paired with cat eye sunnies. I decided to keep the accessories very minimum for this look since the dress was already so busy.
My most favorite look to wear was this Audrey Hepburn meets Greek goddess inspired piece. It wasn't quite on trend with bright color but I think it worked quite well and made me stand out even more. I wore my favorite cat eye sunnies and a crystal statement necklace. My second favorite look to wear was this coral mini dress with long train in the back. It's definitely a popular trend right now that I'm absolutely in love with. I paired the look with a blue statement belt and shoes. Coral and blue are such striking colors and 99% of the time can work really well together.
While I mostly stuck with dresses for this trip I decided to wear this yellow and blue romper which can probably be considered the quintessential attire of Miami. Again, I kept the look very simple with just blue pumps because the romper was already so decorative.
During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Swim I was invited to get my hair styled at the VIP TRESemmé pampering suite in the Raleigh Hotel. As a guest you were treated to complimentary hair styling, wine and hors d' oeuvres.
Out of all of the invitations I received this was definitely one of the most exciting. All of the TRESemmé stylists are incredibly talented and it's really a privilege to have your hair done by them.
Last season at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York I was completely blown away by the Black Swan hairstyle my TRESemmé stylist created. It was truly a work of art.
As luck would have it the same phenomenally talented TRESemméstylist did my hair again at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami. This time the hairstyle went along with my Audrey Hepburn inspired look which included black cat eye sunnies and a sparkly front cut gown.
The most incredible part of his work was the fact that he did under 10 minutes! I truly felt like a million bucks after he was finished. The perfectly polished up-do was just what I needed to complete my modern day take on Audrey Hepburn's style.
Mara Hoffman’s Spring/Summer 2013 swimwear collection was completely
different than any other on the runways this season. Think “Desert Outlaw
Gypsies,” Hoffman explained in the official press release. The collection featured
geometric and ethnic tribal prints. Braiding, lattice, detailing, seed beading,
and multiple straps are seen throughout the collection. Models sported teased hair by Nick Irwin for Catwalk by TIGI
to go along with the free spirited collection.
About:
The Mara Hoffman line, which encompasses everything from dresses,
leggings and blouses to coats, knits, wovens and scarves, has evolved
from hand-dyed silhouettes to her current collection, which concentrates
heavily on original silk prints. Hoffman recurrently draws inspiration
from nature and fantasy, often finding creativity from her own travels
around
the world. Hoffman shows her Ready-to-Wear collections during New York Fashion week.
In 2008, Mara Hoffman launched her first Swim collection, which was
debuted as part of her Spring/Summer 2009 runway show during New York
Fashion Week. The collection consists of playful bikinis, sexy
one-pieces, dashiki cover-ups and casual, multi-functional dresses, all
in Hoffman’s signature prints and bold colors. The Mara Hoffman Swim
collections are now shown on the runway during Mercedes-Benz Fashion
Week Swim in Miami.
Aqua Di Lara Spring/Summer 2013 was
split between its White Label and Black Label collections. The White
Label featured feminine and exotic looks while the Black Label was
focused on more edgier designs. Both collections were brilliant executed
by Aqua Di Lara’s designer Reyhan Sofraci. You could literally see the
high caliber of craftsmanship that went into each look. Each piece
exuded a feeling of decadence that any quality conscience woman can
appreciate.
I was really in love with the whole collection but the
below sheer turquoise cover dress was one of my favorites. The model
wearing this delicate piece looked like a goddess walking down
the runway. The middle portion was perfectly cinched with a
stronger material that strategically accentuated the waist. In fact what made this collection stand out is how perfectly each piece fit a women's body, truly like a second skin.
About:
Aqua Di Lara™ by award-winning designer,
Reyhan
Sofraci, is one of designer swimwear's most celebrated names. The Aqua Di Lara line was created to enhance the beauty of the feminine form
with its original yet sophisticated styles made to be wearable both in and out
of the water. For Aqua Di Lara, luxury means not only high-style but also
high-quality and manufacturing excellence. Made from European fabrics in its
atelier in Montreal, each and every swimsuit is cut and sewn with precision and
care, creating pieces that fit comfortably on the body like a second skin.
Caffe’s 2013 Spring/Summer collection was a perfect mix of high fashion meets swimwear. Caffe’s designer Paula Saavedra was obviously influenced by her Colombian heritage as colorful swimsuits and glamorous caftans graced the runway.
One of my favorite pieces was the below caftan which literally flowed down the runway as the statuesque model walked by. You can easily transition from a day at the pool to a night event with a simple mini black dress underneath.
About: Caffe a Colombian luxury woman's beachwear line born in 2004, has since developed into an international stylish brand present in the best stores in more than 38 countries. Caffe Swimwear is best known for elevating beachwear to high fashion status with its chic, sexy and undeniable stylish swimwear for women that love to glam their beach wardrobe.
The Kooey Australia Spring/Summer 2013 presentation took
place at the gorgeous Raleigh Hotel penthouse during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim. Designed by Nikki Silverthorne, the new collectionfeatured beautiful tailored pieces in a selection of colors like pink, blue, teal, orange, purple and black. During the presentation the room was
buzzing with sun-kissed guests who mingled and indulged in a
sampling of complimentary cheese, crackers, fruit and cocktails. One of the
guests was the lovely Miss USA Olivia Culpo whom I had a chance to meet.
One of my favorites from the new 2013 collection was the below teal bikini with tie-dye like bottoms. I love the color combination for this piece and how it shows just enough skin. Generally the whole collection focused on similar body flattering looks.
About:
Designed and made in Western Australia, Kooey is an entirely Australian owned and operated swimwear label. Fully 'home grown', the label is also inspired by Australia.Each season Kooey's design team, Nikki Silverthorne and Charlene Harmer focus on a specific area of the Australian landscape. Featuring bold styles and striking colors, each collection includes one pieces, bikinis and separates as well as resort wear.
NICOLITA’s Spring/Summer 2013 "Havana Nights Collection" brought audiences back to Cuba’s sexy 1940’s era. The show opened with a girl and boy model dressed in old school sailor swimsuits.
Guests watched in awe as models paraded down the runway with pin-up styled hair and jaw-dropping swimwear. What made this collection extra special was designer Nicole Di Rocco’s collaboration with singer Christina Milian. Together they produced a sensual collection that hugged a women’s body in all the right places.
On of my favorite pieces was the below strapless bikini with dainty bow decorations on the top and bottom.
About: NICOLITA'S designer, Nicole Di Rocco, established NICOLITA Swimwear in 2003. For the last seven seasons, Di Rocco's designs and creative direction has built her brand by focusing on conservative sexy and curve conscious styles. Drawing inspirations from her family's cultural Cuban roots, Nicole Di Rocco continues to create each bikini collection that is reminiscent of Cuba's alluring 1940's era. By blending vintage glamour with modern day silhouettes, NICOLITA has set itself apart in the swimwear industry. NICOLITA'S signature fit of 'Cuban-style bottoms' was designed for the curvaceous Latina figure. "'Cuban-style bottoms' are designed with more coverage on the hips, a heart-shaped backside and 'no-pinch' fit elastic," said Di Rocco. These designs and unique branding attracts a broad range of fans and celebrities worldwide.
The Wildfox Spring/Summer 2013 runway show was really just one big party. Wildfox models wearing colorful wigs energized the runway with saucy poses and impromptu dance moves.
Designers Kimberly Gordon and Emily Faulstich presented an assortment of delightful vintage inspired pieces. The wild, free spirited energy amplified the fun California girl vibe of this collection.
One of my favorite looks was the below flower print high bottom with strapless top. There is something so effortlessly old Hollywood about this piece. Perhaps it's the blue hair but it also made me think of the California Gurl's music video by Katy Perry.
Of course, it's not a Wild Fox collection without a few signature text only pieces like the below "Salty hair, coconut oil, big waves, hot sun shirt. Another one of my favorites said "vacation, get a tan, swim forever, margarita." About: Wildfox Couture is an American vintage-inspired women’s knitwear brand. Combining great style and unsurpassed quality, Wildfox quickly gained a following amongst celebrities, trendsetters, and top retailers worldwide.
One of the most memorable shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim was Red Carter’s Spring/Summer 2013. Red’s latest collection was inspired by the wild nights of Studio 54.
Models strutted down the runway with coned pony tails and shiny disco balls by their side.
The
collection was focused on geometric prints and patterns. Although there
were also a few solid colored pieces as well. You could literally see
the precision and detail of the work that went into each look. Red
Carter is truly a skilled swimsuit artisan.
The show stealer came in the end when two models walked out wearing giant feathers and skin tight geometric print swimsuits.
Check out the video recap below!
About:
Known for sophisticated swimwear with a sense of whimsy, renowned designer Red Carter lends his contagious charm, unique design outlook, and years of industry experience to the wildly popular brand that bears his name.
Building upon his experience in the sportswear category, Red launched his swimwear brand in 2004. The Red Carter collection incorporates fit, form and function, combining subtle details, bold prints, and advanced technical constructions.
Designer Ava Sanjurjo and models wearing Rica Swimwear 2013
The Rica Swimwear Spring/Summer 2013 collection was presented at the Lifestyle Retreat Lounge during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim. Designed by Bronx native Ava Sanjurjo, the collection focused on exotic cuts and shapes.
One of my favorites pieces was the below beach dress. What made this look stand out the most was how effortlessly it flowed on the body. I loved how the top part wrapped the bust yet concealed the lower part of the midriff. Of course it was the slit going down the dress that completely solidified its va-va-voom status!
About:
A vibrant and sensuous new swimwear collection, Rica Swimswear offers a
custom line of extraordinary, fashion-forward pieces that are as
appropriate for the runway as they are for the beach. Specially created
with luxurious fabrics from Spain, each of Rica’s unique swimsuits and
cover-ups feature innovative designs that are hand crafted into
flattering shapes that make women look and feel like their very best.
Brazilian designers have been known to produce the most sensual and glamorous swimsuits. Mirla Sabino, the designer behind ANK was no exception to the trend when she introduced her Spring/Summer 2013 collection during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim. The collection was filled with perfectly fitted swimsuits that showed both versatility in style and fit. Major trends in this collection included bright colors, color blocking and gorgeous prints.
One of my favorite swimsuits was the below one piece. Usually, I'm a bikini kind of girl but this particular one piece really stood out to me. I loved the sweet pink color of it and the way the darker pink on top gave off a slimming effect to the body.
About: As a veteran in the fashion industry, Mirla Sabino has had years of experience designing. She started her career with a sophisticated line of belts and jeans and then became the exclusive distributor of a major Brazilian swimwear line. As satisfaction leads to inspiration and inspiration leads to vision in 2005 Mirla Sabino launched her swimwear line named ANK that was set out to implement elements she believed were lacking in most swimwear designs. The Brazilian born designer used her "carioca" beach roots to fine tune the style of her garments to enhance the best features and bring out the glamor in women of different nations. Check out ANK by Mirla Sabino's: Website Facebook
Dolores Cortés Spring/Summer 2013 collection was all about the 80's! Models
with sky high neon streaked up do’s rocked
the runway in 80’s inspired swimsuits.
One of my favorite looks was the below one piece.The transitioning light to dark pink really makes this look stand out. Also, the decoration by the decollete area was a great addition to this piece.
About:
Dolores Cortés is a company with more than 50 years’ experience in the
swimsuit fashion sector and was one of the first companies created in
Spain dedicated to swimsuit fashion.
Poko Pano’s new Spring/Summer 2013 collection will make you wish you lived on an
exotic island surround by palm trees and parrots. Created by Brazilian designer
Paola Robba, the collection was infused with deliciously bright colors and
tropical prints. Paola drew her inspiration from 1960’s Brazil and featured retro chic pieces fit for the modern day glamor queen.
I really loved this collection in general but one of my favorite pieces was the below soda tab chain mail overlay on foliage-print with hipster bottom with gold hardware detail on one side. There is something about it that reminds me of what Brooke Shields might wear (if she had the option) in the 1980's classic Blue Lagoon. Certainly, if I was living on island this would definitely be my look of choice!
About:
Poko Pano Swimwear is a designer swim brand from Brazil, that offers
fashionable bikinis and contemporary one-pieces to women all over the
globe
It was clear to see that the Agua Bendita Spring/Summer 2013
collection was inspired by a deeply sensual Latin culture. Bright
colored accents on the delicately crafted swimwear left just the right
amount of skin to the imagination. Designer's Catalina Alvarez and Mariana Hinestrozaalso paid homage
to military and
cowboys through some of the designs. One of my favorite pieces which is so rarely seen in a swimwear show was the above embellished
bolero
jacket.
About:
Agua Bendita is a Colombian swimwear company, created in
2003 by Catalina Álvarez and Mariana Hinestroza, who have been the brand
designers and owners since the beginning. Agua Bendita
is a youthful, happy brand that has exclusive and flashy products that impose a
tendency because it is based on playful, maximalist and progressive concepts
that are established to be embodied in each one of the collections. Agua
Bendita is a mix of technology, handcrafts and colors that are always joyful
and alive. The brand has the look of a woman that wants to be admired, who
wants to seek attention to herself and be noticed. This has allowed many women
to identify themselves with the brand and they look for it, anywhere around the
world.
Standing next to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim sign at the Raleigh Hotel.
As you know I had a chance to travel to Miami to
cover Mercedes-Benz Fashion Swim for the first time a few weeks ago.
I made sure that everything was planned from my schedule
of shows to picking out exactly what I was going to wear each day. I even booked my flight a day early so I had enough time to prepare and get
settled before the official first day. Everything was going to plan until I got
to the airport…
My flight was first delayed and then canceled which left me
stranded at the airport over night. To add insult to injury the airport lost
track of my luggage and wasn’t sure if it was already shipped to Miami or not. How’s
that for a fashion nightmare?
24+ hours from the time I first arrived I was still at the airport with no
flight prospects and missing luggage. Naturally I broke down crying on the floor and caused quite a scene. At that point I thought I lost my chance to cover
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim as well as my clothes and everything I needed for the
trip. In a temporary state of insanity I even called the local news station to report the injustice I was going through. (Of course they didn't show up and I now realize how silly that was.)
It took about 4 hours of crying and begging for me to finally
get a flight out that day. My luggage was still missing so I took a big
chance when I got on the plane. Luckily, it was a chance that paid off as I finally found my luggage in Miami.
Although I missed the first official day I was just happy that I finally made it (with luggage) to Miami. I still had 4 more days at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim and it was everything I dreamed of and more. The picture above is of me beaming with excitement before seeing my first show in Miami. I can't wait to tell you about the exciting shows, events and people I've met during my trip.
I'm so excited to reveal that I’m covering
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim right now at the historic Raleigh Hotel in Miami until
July 23.
It’s my first time attending Mercedes-Benz
Fashion Week Swim as well as traveling to the sunshine state. I’ve been to
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York and Berlin and now I'm so excited to add
Miami to my list. My dream is to travel is to cover every Fashion Week around
the world.
I’m staying at the beautiful Marseilles
Hotel which is across the street from the beach and right next door to
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim at the Raleigh Hotel. I’m so thankful to them
for offering to be the official sponsor of my stay while I’m in town to cover
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. I’ll have more about my exciting stay at the hotel
in a later blog post.
Aside from blogging I will also be
excessively tweeting, posting on Facebook, uploading videos to YouTube,
using Instagram and pinning to Pinterest. Be sure to follow all five of my
social channels for exclusive content from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim!
Mara Hoffman’s Spring/Summer 2013 swimwear collection was completely
different than any other on the runways this season. Think “Desert Outlaw
Gypsies,” Hoffman explained in the official press release. The collection featured
geometric and ethnic tribal prints. Braiding, lattice, detailing, seed beading,
and multiple straps are seen throughout the collection. Models sported teased hair by Nick Irwin for Catwalk by TIGI
to go along with the free spirited collection.
