Miami Swim Shows - Wrapping Things Up

Last night was the final show at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Miami, featuring the 2011 Swimwear collections.  Here's a rundown of some of my favorites. Pix to follow soon.

Kooey, Lisa Blue, Aquarella, Lisa Maree...The Aussies came out in force at the Raleigh to show off their creations.  It was a wonderful, graphic display in beach fashion.  I Loved Kooey's use of their circular prints, as well as Lisa Blue's designs that incorporated the classic, Renaissance paintings.  Aquarella did a killer orange and black bandeau that showed great structure and style.

Tyler Rose designer, Nicole Carroll,  doesn't reinvent the bikini, but what she does do is reinvent what kinds of fabrics and trims that going into making the bikini.  Ms. Carroll uses materials that you wouldn't normally find in swimwear and puts it all together to make some sweet, sexy, little swimsuits that show a ton of panache.  This year was no exception...I really liked the woven ribbons used for ties, as well as the tiny, ruched bottoms and strappy details on many of her bikinis.

Watch out for Marysia Swimwear...they're doing everything right.  This season, the collection was fabulous, showing class and sophistication, as well as some inventive details such as high waists that button down low, knit fabrics, unique underwires, and breezy cover-ups.  The colors are soft and the the feminine styling is off on its own...no copycat pieces here.  I think that this was my favorite designer of the day.

~ C.