Before everyone goes on vacation, how about a review of what we’ll wear to the beach in December? Just to have us salivating for the covetable and longing for that bikini-bod we don’t have yet.
The SwimShow does to Miami Beach what Pitti does to Florence, NYFW does to NY City. Or maybe not. I like thinking of a Swim Week street style. It was all reduced to half-naked models running from show to show trying to catch-up breaths with #soMiami lateness.
After 30 years, we call it the Swim Show, it was once organized by IGM and sponsored by Mercedes Benz, but ditched last minute earlier this year. All strings pulled in a Miami way, the show went on.
We assisted to a showcase of what Miami can give best: legs for days, disproportionate unbalance of exposed flesh vs. fabric, palms, pools and booze.
We recovered the overload of beauty with a juice cleanse for life.
Let’s go down to business and find out trends and the best according to me - de gustibus non est disputandum. As it happened with Pitti, I went for talent, innovation, inspiration and quality and left the big names to the big media outlets.
Julian Chang chose the Ritz Carlton. He opened the ceremonies, swept away red carpet and landed the who’s who of socialites on first row. Vertiginous slits, those that you can't say where they begin or end, rivers of sequins and glam. and a swim capsule collection worth wearing in a Ted Lapidus pool, sipping champagne. Imagine a Slim Aaron photo session for vibrancy of colors and plastic forms.
Dijana swimwear showed at the Bass Museum, a venue that grants a certain status. A museum is not for anyone, but the Bass allows for everyone who attends a first row seat along the ascending ramp. Djiana transported us to a world rarely associated with fashion, a soothing spiritual realm. She expressed her inspiration with recurring symbols like bamboo, triangle, lotus flower and values of symmetry, sensuality, purity. Even with imperceptible bikinis, there was never a vulgar hint, but it felt organic and feminine. Atmosphere was so enchanted, the opposite to stiff that it was a real breath of fresh air.
Magda Gomes swimwear killed me and sent me to heaven, a collection for a languid and disarming beauty, like a siren. Imperceptible lycra, like hugging soothing silk, unexpected silver shells, rivers of chiffon were winners. The unique print designed by Gomes played with ethereal red coral twigs, ondulating flowers on a pearl grey background. It alluded to an enchanted garden that could resemble the realm of a nimph that met its own Neptune. The best accounterment of the range were several pieces of jewlery that include a cuff, a ring and a tiara for the future princess of the Oceans. Just in case you wanted to go on vacation and come back married.
F**K goes by a name irreverent and unapologetic, but it’s also Italian so how could I miss the show? I had the pleasure of chatting backstage with Mr. Giorgio, the creative mind of the brand. In a fun and hand-orchestrated Italian conversation, he explained how he decided to take the leap, venture off the other side of the ocean strong of two decades of growing presence in Europe. “The brand grew by itself, without investment in advertizing, because at the end, the final customer is the one that makes you grow."
"We dedicate time to research in fabrics and trends, but our customers ultimately make us win the prize.” You guys, honestly, Italians are not easy to please, we don't get blinded by glossy papers or billboards, we set high standards before we give thumbs up to a brand. The collection was man and women, resortwear and accessories and nothing was left unconsidered. Audience was at full capacity around the pool that is a lagoon at the Setai hotel. If you heard of a ‘man at sea’ you heard correct: a photographer took the plunge in the pool to survive the asphyxiating heat and to take the closest shots.
Sunday at brunch we were all called to social shopping which felt just about right. Sunday Soiree was the brilliant idea of PR masterminds The Rally Agency, retail therapy for a good cause with a splash of Bellinis. Organized to support Style Saves, the non-profit organization that provides clothing to under-privileged students through fashion-related events, shopping a purpose. Needless to say I contributed to the cause with a mix and match bikini from Mare Cheia, funky rhodium and Swaroski crystals earrings from Cavana Jewels and a Panama hat from Regine Chevallier
It felt like a million dollar.
TRENDS
Small, skin, mini, crop tops, deep slits, chiffon, sheer fresh fabrics and jewlery, thin chains, multiple earrings and knuckle-lets, head wraps and wide brimmed hats.
Watch this space for special Q&As with some of these most amazing designers and talents.