Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim
Swimwear Shows at The Raleigh Hotel
Fittingly, as the temperature rises on the South Beach summer, the sexiest fashion models in Miami slip into next season’s swimwear lines for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim. This Miami fashion spectacle held at The Raleigh hotel runs in conjunction with the Swimwear Association of Florida’s annual tradeshow, which brings more than 2,000 international fashion buyers to the Miami Beach Convention Center to deal with more than 350 exhibitors representing nearly 2,000 lines.
Throughout the four days of fashion shows at The Raleigh, the hotel is abuzz with activity as swimsuit models stand post in the lobby, and fashion executives, sponsors and media congregate throughout the hotel and at the beachside Oasis area situated between the three enormous fashion show tents. There are several VIP areas as well, including a posh lounge in the Esther Williams Suite for title sponsor, Mercedes-Benz.
Some of the highlights included a kick-off runway show and party by Diesel, the debut of Tommy Bahama women’s swimwear, the ’09 resort collection by Tibi, and an Ed Hardy fashion extravaganza that featured designer Christian Audigier, DJ Lil Jon and celebrity models Vinci Alonso, Donna Feldman, Joanna Krupa, Sean Poolman, Brandi Quiñones and Cindy Taylor.
Audigier was cool as could be in The Raleigh penthouse during the Ed Hardy pre-show meet-and-greet. The famed designer had the demeanor of a rock star with his silk shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest while smoking several cigarettes as he answered a plethora of questions from the international media.
Fortunately the show lived up to the line’s entertaining reputation. The male and female lines had vibrant colors that were both fun and edgy, while the show itself had a driving energy with a diverse score that featured a mixture of hip hop and rock ‘n roll, including a forceful remix of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall. The always entertaining Dennis Rodman was seated in the front row with longtime friend Floyd Raglin. Craig Robins, Shareef Malnik and super agent Irene Marie were also sighted in the crowd.
Saturday night ended with Red Carter as glamour and elegance took center stage. The collection was inspired by the Roaring 20s and the show was done in a speakeasy setting. Red Carter was this season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents designer.
Of course, when SocialMiami is on the scene, the faces in the crowd are as important as the swimsuits featured on the runways. With that in mind, let’s take a glance at some of the people and fashions on display at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.
