Pós-carnaval

A saída repentina do estilista John Galliano da direção criativa da Christian Dior ainda promete render muito tititi. A semana de moda de Paris terminou há dois dias e o futuro da Dior foi assunto recorrente. Só pra relembrar, Galliano foi demitido da marca de luxo sob acusações de raciscmo e antissemitismo.

O bafo mesmo está nos burburinhos que dizem que a saída do estilista foi armada pela própria Dior. Segundo o especialista em Marketing de Moda Benoit Heilbrunn, em entrevista ao jornal “Le Monde” o vídeo em que Galliano aparece dizendo que ama Hitler poderia ter sido usado como desculpa para desligar o estilista.A Dior estaria em busca de um novo diretor criativo que levasse um novo frescor para a marca, mas não sabia como demitir Galliano sem ser contrariada pela imprensa e clientes. Afinal, ele é um dos nomes mais célebres, geniais e respeitados do mundo da moda, sem falar que a própria Dior já reconheceu inúmeras vezes que o sucesso comercial da marca advinha em boa parte do talento de Galliano.Para acalmar o furor causado pela notícia, neste último desfile da Dior, Sidney Toledano, executivo da Maison subiu à passarela e falou sobre os novos rumos da marca. O executivo leu um discurso no qual afirma que o coração da Dior não é uma pessoa, mas as "costureiras e artesãos, que trabalham duro dia após dia, sem contar as horas, carregando o calor e a visão de Monsieur Dior". Após o desfile, parte dessa equipe subiu à passarela e arrancou aplausos da plateia.

Sobre o futuro da grife John Galliano, que também é controlada pelo grupo LVMH e desfilou em Paris sem a presença de seu designer, nada foi declarado. Enquanto isso, nós relles mortais aguardamos ansiosas pelos próximos capítulos da história da moda, sempre na torcida para que tudo acabe bem! 

Beijos 

The Junior-Teen Swimwear Line-Up for 2011

There's that age...that glorious age in a woman's life...somewhere between playing baseball with the neighborhood kids and tossing a baseball to your own child...those fabulous years when you could eat just about anything and not gain an ounce.   It's that time when all the older women hated you as you strutted down the beach in your brand new, teeny-tiny bikini with not a care in the world. 

"Junior-Teen," isn't quite the right term for that age group, but for lack of a better word, we'll use it here, today.  A lot of swimwear these days just does not take into account that this girl is special.  The swimwear designers just do, "one style fits all age groups," designs in hope of catering to everyone of every age and perhaps saving a bit of money in production.  We appreciate those designers that take notice and really know how to show off a young woman's assets AND they know how to have some fun with swimwear fashion.  They also know that fit and sizing is just a little bit different than the Missy set...a little smaller over all, but they still need a bikini top with support and not everyone wants to show off ALL of their booty.  Junior-Teen designers have finally figured out that not every teen even wants a bikini.  It's been refreshing to see some super cute one piece swimsuits in the 2011 swimwear collections.

So, which are the top Jr.-Teen swimwear lines this year?  I'd place my money on Maaji Swimwear and I certainly wouldn't count out Salinas Swimwear for 2011.  And although, the Agua Bendita Swimwear fit is just a tad larger than Jr., I would have to include them too.  (See my posts below for examples and pix of these lines.)  All of these lines have fresh designs and new takes on the 1 piece swimsuit.  I'm hoping to uncover even more new Jr.-Teen lines.  Designers step up to the plate!  Perhaps just as soon as this economy straightens out, we will have more brave souls.

~ C.

Agua Bendita Swimwear 2011 - Three, New, Sweet-As-Can-Be Collections

Agua Bendita Swimwear brings on the girly stuff in such a sexy way that makes every one of their styles absolutely adorable.  Honestly, I had a difficult time narrowing down my favorite swimsuits and beachwear from this huge, 3-part collection for 2011.  Each and every bikini, swimsuit, monokini and cover-up is a sure seller.  How to choose? 

Not only do they have the killer looks and styles, but they have also employed two of the hottest swimwear models, Bar Refaeli and Candice Swanepoel to show off their wares.  Although, this label is from Columbia, they shot the 2011 collections, "On The Rocks", "Black Tie", “Happy Hour,” at some of the swankiest pools and rooftops in LA, giving the collection a hip, cosmopolitan feel.  They're presentation made me love this swimsuit label all the more.

So, here's a small sampling of some of my Agua Bendita Swimwear faves:

Bendito Santo 1 Pc. Swimsuit

Bendita Realeza Bikini

Bendita Vibracion Bikini

Bendita Francia Bikini

Agua Bendita Swimwear 2011 should arrive at Tropi-Ties in a few weeks.  Please stop by our site for updates and new additions.

~ C.

Revving it Up at the Raleigh , Bass Museum & the W - Miami Swimwear Shows 2011

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicked off in Miami on Thursday evening with Trina Turk opening at the Cabana Grande.  On Friday, White Sands, Beach Bunny, Dolores Cortes, Swell Suits, Ed  Hardy and Crystal Jin hit the runways at the historic Raleigh hotel.  Tonight, we're anxious to see what Mara Hoffman brings to the show, as well as Poko Pano and Aqua de Lara.  Still to come, Red Carter, Marysia, Tyler Rose, Cia.Maritima and our Aussie friends from Kooey Swimwear.  Pix to come soon!

Trina Turk Swimwear 2011 - Girly and Gossimer ...lots of cheerful, summery prints and lighter than air, shimmery cover-ups...great show, fabulous collection!
~ C.

Cia.Maritima Swimwear - Love the Look, Love the Price

If you consider yourself a savvy shopper and have not yet discovered Cia.Maritima Swimwear, then where the heck have you been?  Cia.Maritima (pronounced see-ah mar-ee-shee-ma) is a Brazilian swimwear line that has been making its way into the US market. Launched in 1990 and designed by Benny Rosset, a family member of one of the largest garment manufacturers in South America, the Rosset Group.  Cia.Maritima is reportedly the biggest producer of beachwear in Brazil.

Cia.Maritima made their U. S. debut in New York at Olympus Fashion Week in 2006.  More recently, the CM 2010 line hit the runway again at the Mercedes-Benz Swim Show in Miami.  What's so nice about this line is that Mr. Rosset's style is high glam, but without the high end designer price tag, with their 2010 bikinis starting at just $89 retail. 

Athens Coral String Bikini-$89

The look is elegant and sexy, with lots of matching cover-ups and beach frocks. The fit is very good, tailored for the American market. The price is certainly right.


Pisces Cover-Up by Cia.Maritima - $159
 
I'll keep you posted on what Cia.Maritima brings us for 2011.
 
~ C.

Melissa Odabash Swimwear 2010 - Class & Fun Rolled Into One

Melissa Odabash Swimwear is another one of those classic swimsuit lines that always looks timeless and tasteful, yet still has a touch of fun flirtiness about it. Miss Odabash started her own swimwear line after modeling swimsuits in Italy that were not exactly to her liking. She created her own bathing suits, took them to the shops of Milan and they immediately caught on. She later opened her own store in London where she sells a variety of her beachwear styles and accessories.

Her look is simple and refined and in a word, “refreshing.” The quality of an MO swimsuit is impeccable, employing only the best of fabrics and trims. All of her patterns and designs have comfort in mind. Melissa Odabash exclusively uses a special twisted elastic support that is sewn into her bra tops, Instead of the more traditional under-wires that most other manufacturers use.

This year the look for MO is cool and calm. The Luxor Bikini is a simple, black bandeau that is spiced up with a thick, chunky chain detail. The Sienna One Piece Swimsuit is polished and clean, with graceful lines and a design sense that will get you through more than one summer. Of course, that’s what Melissa Odabash Swimwear is all about…enduring elegance.



~ C.

New Swimsuit Labels in 2010 - Loads of Promise

This year we took in a few new swimwear lines that we had not carried before.  Some had already been out in the marketplace for awhile, others were fairly new.  One new line that I really liked this season was Peonie Swimwear.  This new line from Los Angeles did not have a lot of bodies to choose from this year, but what they did have is a great eye for shape and detail.  Their designs are simple, pretty and cut exactly right.  LA celebs have been picking up their bikinis and the fashion mags have taken note...so have our customers.

Another new swimwear brand this season was Maaji Swimwear from Colombia.  The designers, Manuela and Amalia Sierra, have combined their wild imaginations to combine a kaleidoscope of colorful prints, with lots of fun embellishments, ruffles and unexpected shapes, all at a reasonable price point.  The look is very young and I would suggest that this is sized as a Junior/Teen line, not Missy.  Still, if you can wear this size group, then go for it...Maaji Swimwear's stuff is really cute!

Then, there's Agua Bendita Swimwear...Similar to Maaji Swimwear with it's use of mixed prints and fun trims, but more like a big sister.  This line is so sophisticated, while still absolutely adorable!  I had been watching this company for a couple of years and decided to finally jump in.  Our customers have been loving it.  Deservedly, Agua Bendita has been garnering much attention.  This season's Heavenly Delights collection features South African model Candice Swanepoel, who also just happens to be the newest Victoria's Secret Angel.

Agua Bendita was founded in 2003 by Catalina Alvarez and Mariana Hinestroza, both graduates from the Colegiatura Colombiana de Diseño University, Medellin, Colombia.  The line has a definite Latin influence, with lots of handcrafted traditional details incorporated into their designs.  For example, one of my favorite Agua Bendita bikinis, the Bendito Ice Cream Bikini, incorporates the traditional, embroidered, bird motif used throughout South America.  We can't wait to see how these sisters incorporate their Latin influence in the upcoming 2011 Agua Bendita Swimwear collection.

Sauipe Swimwear caught my eye at a small gathering of reps in LA.  Their label name is inspired by the natural beauty of the Costa do Sauipe, on the north coast of Bahia, Brazil.  I fell in love with their simple, rich look, combined with their use of very high-end materials and superb craftsmanship.   Their fit is what I would call, "Moderate Brazilian"...sexy, but not skimpy.  This season we decided to go with a a trio of bodies and a cool color group from Sauipe Swimwear's 2010 collection.  The Sapphire Beach Bandeau Bikini is done in one of their exclusive prints and the fit and workmanship are impeccable. The Dolphin Reef Bikini is a stationary tri-top swimsuit, done in a modern, window-pane print.  The Monte Carlo Maillot, created in a lavender solid, has a bandeau bodice and slight ruching along the waist...all gorgeous! 

Before I go, I can't forget to mention Tyler Rose Swimwear...this line is just plain sexy-fun!  Designer, Nichole Carroll, a true Californian at heart, had worked in a variety of jobs in the fashion industry, before setting out to create her own swimwear label.  Inspired by the vintage looks of a bygone era, she throws in a big dose of star glamor, mixed with a dash of rock-n-roll, into all of her designs.  The look is unique, eclectic, and totally Californian.  There is just nothing ordinary about it.  Nichole uses very unusual fabrics, from purple lames, to crocheted knits, to Native American bead work, to swishy fringe....it all works for her. 


Now, it's time to settle down with the 2011 look books and see what's in store for next season...

~ C.