MIAMI SWIM
Miami celebrated ten years of swimsuits this year at swim week 2014.
Miami celebrated ten years of swimsuits this year at Swim Week 2014. Organized by IMG and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the annual event has been debuting the resort collections of emerging and established designers for a decade now. Among them: Mara Hoffman, RVCA, Wildfox, Mikoh and We Are Handsome. This time, the invite-only shows invaded Raleigh Hotel’s backyard, while poolside after parties blazed on all throughout Miami Beach. As they say—keep swimming.
RVCA

 

RVCA Women diversifies beyond its skate and surf roots with a collection built on elevated fabrics and construction.

Launched alongside Newport swim label Beach Riot, the line by the label’s designer Anya Violet appeals to a more fashion-conscious consumer, though they did keep the street vibe going by styling everything with sneakers and retaining the emblazoned logos.

MARA HOFFMAN

 

Mara Hoffman has cornered the market on digital yet ethnic-inspired patterns. Inspired by a trip to Guatemala, the New York native’s Resort 2015 collection featured reversible swimsuits that were psychedelic on one side and solid on another. The accessories themselves—neon Orly Genger anklets and jelly-strapped Madison Harding clogs—pulled the looks together seamlessly.

WILDFOX

 

LA-based Wildfox took their nineties obsession and ran with it. Terry cloth and statement prints on fannies (though not together on one garment) reminded us of a deconstructed Juicy Couture.

Truer to the brand’s dreamy-eyed  muse, a mermaid shell top and a flower bikini won the crowd.

WE ARE HANDSOME

 

Travel informs most of Australian label We Are Handsome’s work, and their Miami Swim offerings were no different. Designers Jeremy and Katinka Somers mirrored cheetahs and melded palm trees, boat sails, hummingbirds and pineapples in their retro-cool prints. Tropical foliage and an albino python named Money completed the show.

 

MIKOH SWIMEAR SS
MIKOH

 

To kick off their show, Mikoh’s Oleema and Kalani Miller sent out hula dancers on the runway. Inspired by coastal culture and surf, this season the Orange County bred duo designed wetsuit-like pieces with a hint of bondage. Even Kelly Slater—who was sitting in the front row—would approve.

david behar miami photography

Written By Anna Canlas

IMAGE CREDITS : Opening image by Leo Caillard, Sunset by Eric Cahan, RVCA x Beach Riot swimwear by BFA, Miami Beach Tower by Leo Caillard, Mara Hoffman runway by Joe Schildhorn / BFA, Miami building facade and Yacht detail by David Behar, Wildfox runway by George Martinez, We Are Handsome runway show by Randy Brooke, Mikoh by Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images.


This story is brought to you by vapor-distilled smartwater, who found unique inspiration for their water by looking up to the sky. we hope the change in perspective this piece offers will help inspire you.


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