Social Meets Swim
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim
Partying Out
Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim was a full-on party for SocialMiami. Following the Mara Hoffman show, SocialMiami retreated to the Mercedes-Benz VIP suite at the Raleigh where Hoffman came with family and friends to sip cocktails, nibble on delicacies and chill. On hand were “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dina Manzo and “Real Housewives of New York’s” Kelly Killoren Bensimon.
From there SocialMiami headed to the Cabaña Grande for the Xtra Life LYCRA fiber 2010 Swimwear Show and cocktail reception. This show mixed and matched brands that used Lycra fiber and was highly theatrical and fun. Free drinks flowed freely while models strutted the catwalk wearing colorful suits, fabulous shoes and funky head garments.
True Religion & Red Carter
The True Religion swimwear show rocked out at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, produced by IMG. The industry leaders in eccentric, vintage ‘70s style, True Religion swimwear’s 2010 collection hit the runway offering a creative spin to their traditional boho-chic flavor. Models rocked tousled hair, gold accessories and were barefoot. The 80-piece, “mix-and-match” separates were created with tone on tone colors, vintage inspired tie-dye prints, textured fabrics like faux snakeskin, plaid and camouflage.
Red Carter showed at the Beachway and the theme this season was a little bit animal, a little bit Rock and Roll and a whole lot of Space-age glamour. Red’s addictions to surprising and delighting the audience were intact and in full force this season. The swimwear was very 40s sexy pinup and the show was styled by Sex and the City celebrity stylist Danny Santiago. Geometric patterns, white pipping, wide brimmed hats and bracelets stacked to the elbow were the trends.
L*Space by Monica Wise at The Raleigh
Mercedes-Benz Presents designer of the year L*Space by Monica Wise was the most anticipated show on Friday and SocialMiami got backstage access to check out the models getting ready and to ask Wise a few questions about her line. L*Space by Monica Wise is known for creating luxurious swimwear with flattering fits and hardware. Friday was the first time L*Space showed in Miami and the 2010 collection was impressive. Wise said this season’s collection was inspired by the 80s together with her usual hippie-chic look. The line was super bright including a great lemon-lime color, that Wise called “limon.” Wise also presented her 12 piece line for Omni-peace a humanitarian fashion brand founded by entrepreneur Mary Fanaro that donates 25 percent of profits to charities promoting peace, human rights, education, and the end of extreme poverty in Africa by 2025.
Inca at the W and the Caffe show at Cabana Grande
Day two of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim started with the Tibi runway show at Cabana Grande at the Raleigh Hotel. Olivia Palermo from MTV’s “The City” was in the crowd and is currently filming with the show’s lead Whitney Port in Miami. Ocean Drive cover model Nicole Trunfio was also in the house along with Kelly Killoren Bensimon of “The Real Housewives of New York City.” The Caffe show was the swimwear highlight. The fabrics were bright, double-lined and some were also reversible. Designer, Paula Saavedra, was most successful with the Mexican beading detail and color scheme. The buzz inside the tent was lower key than Tibi, but as soon as the show started the fabulous swimwear spoke for itself. Next, SocialMiami headed to the W South Beach for the hotly anticipated inca show. The line to get into WET was so long it wrapped around the building and stayed that way for a couple of hours. The show was supposed to start at 10 but because of the huge turnout, models didn’t hit the runway until 11:30. The wait was worth it though; model Cindy Taylor opened the show, which was all about big hair and metallics. The show was sponsored by Grey Goose and was filled with a who’s who of Miami.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim Opening Night
The 5th annual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim kicked-off on the pool deck at the Raleigh Hotel. Boheme Boutique, the first boutique to present at Fashion Week Swim, opened the event with a runway show…in the pool. Models strutted in mid-calf water around the Raleigh pool, showcasing looks from Kenzo, Pinup, Delfina, Anna Kosturova (men’s) with accessories by Flora Bella and Moyna. Boheme Boutique has five Miami locations and like its name, their pieces are easy, breezy bohemian chic. Floppy sunhats, crochet suits in beige – and one in neon yellow – were the high points.
Next, SocialMiami headed to the new W South Beach for the Chloe 2010 Swim Collection show at the outdoor, gardenesque WET. The atmosphere, set with paper lanterns and iron patio seats, was dreamy while the crowd was tres chic and packed with some of Miami’s most prominent fashionistas. Guest included Jillian Jacobson-Altit, Lisa Pliner, Jillian Sanz, Allison Weiss Brady, Nicole Lozano and host of other jet-set and beautiful women from Miami society.
The show was quick, presenting a clean collection for solid white, black, muted coral and teal swimsuits. Delicate ruffle detail with timeless Chloe bags and sunglasses completed the looks.
