Swim Week

This past weekend I jaunted down south to attend Swim Fashion Week sponsored by Mercedes-Benz held at the Raleigh Hotel South Beach. This venture was my first time covering the swim collections presented in Miami every July. It’s always great to have the opportunity to see a collection in person, always inspiring, and getting the chance to mix & mingle amongst industry insiders. I was happy to see some familiar faces in attendance, as well as having the opportunity to meet many new, some finally just getting to place a face with a name. Two of my favorite swim collections previewed were Tibi and Eres, both happened to showcase color in very big ways, and both tossed in a little 80s kick through collection inspiration and silhouette. Even though these are the 2010 collections, it’s always good to plan ahead accordingly, and how very apropos that both the au courant trends of punchy color and the endlessly chic maillot are here to stay. Here are a few of my favorite looks from both collections. – KL

Tibi 2010
Designer Amy Smilovic’s Tibi collections are well known for the bright and playful prints she hand designs each season, and with this collection she definitely didn’t disappoint. www.tibi.com

Printed maillot in the chic color combo of pale peach and lilac.

Must-have suit. I would wear this gold cut-out one-shoulder frolicking in the surf or sunbathing off coast of St. Tropez.

The perfect cover-up for beachside to aprés-sunbathing cocktails poolside.

Bright color and bold print, signature design statements from Tibi. I love how each look was styled with double gold cuffs, a great and easy way to take your swim look to whole new level.

Eres 2010
One of my all-time go-to suits is an Eres, forever en vogue and always chic no matter what part of the world you might be sunning in. With the Eres spirit of iconic style and know-how, one can never go wrong with the wide offerings of sophisticated silhouettes. The 2010 collection was inspired by the iconic Yves Saint Laurent bow dress from the 1980s, as well as the vivid hues from South American Carnival. www.eres.fr

Iconic YSL dress from 1980's, inspiration for the Eres 2010 Collection.

Vivid jewel-like colors make a splash. Pink mixed with sunny yellow and bold blue tossed with turquoise are just a few of the eye catching offerings.

This band-like maillot is perfect and slimming for many body types (available in various combo color ways). And the wrap-around bow is removable so you can style it multiple ways making this one suit have many looks.

Turquoise and carnation red, two of the hot colors represented throughout the collection.

Color blocking takes on the feel of South America. Great for lazy afternoons and early evenings filled with sun and joie de vivre.