Miami Fashion Week Swim: LUXE by Lisa Vogel 2012

How do you bring luxury to the beach when one doesn't wear that much?  Lisa Vogel answered that question in a tent and on the runway at Miami Fashion Week.  The fashion show contained a beautiful watery prints in multiple shades of blue.  An elegant group of delicate paisley-inspired prints also in a blue palette also strutted down the catwalk.

The "luxe" part of LUXE by Lisa Vogel was seen in the upscale details probably not meant for the chlorine of a swimming pool.  Pretty crystal details anchored shirring on some suits and bodices on others.  Silhouettes themselves were simple and flattering.  Twisted straps gave interest in halter form or as an asymmetrical single strap.

If you want to want to show maximum sophistication with minimal actual coverage, Lisa Vogel is the one to dress you in style.

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Miami Fashion Week Swim: Cia Maritima 2012

Cia Maritima's show at Miami Fashion Week drew the most enthusiastic response from the burly men of the photographer's pit.  How can you go wrong with a vintage Van Halen soundtrack and hot models in bikinis?

For those of us actually studying actual fashion details of the collection, there were sexy animal prints to be found.  Leopard spots showed up in chiffon wraps and swim suits.  A sorbet color palette of raspberry, lemon and pops of turquoise came up in dip-dyed cover-ups and watercolor floral prints. 1980's rock and roll influence could be seen in the off-the-shoulder fringed tops or revealing cut-out silhouettes.

Cia Maritima is the hot Brazilian swimwear line from Benny Rosset.  The grandson of a famous shirt manufacturer in the 1930's, Benny updated the family business to mix high-tech textiles and luxury workmanship into upscale fashion for the beach.

Whether you are a groupie or looking to acquire an entourage of your own, Brazil's top swimwear designer has your back.

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Miami Fashion Week Swim: Poko Pano 2012

Polo Pano led the first show of the Oasis tent Friday night in Miami Fashion week with a bold collection of tropical-chic.  The models on the runway were styled as strong, Amazonian women.  The hair was intertwined with tribal feathers like a warrior, the walk was strong and confident.

The swimwear itself featured jungle-inspired prints like over-sized fronds, snakeskin and tiger silhouettes.  The color palette was simple.  White popped on the tanned bodies.  It was paired with olive, coral, black and tan.  Pops of bright turquoise was reminiscent of the ocean surrounding the islands.

If you hit the beach with a take no prisoners attitude, Poko Pano is the collection for you.

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Miami Fashion Week Swim: Caffe Swimwear 2012

Caffe Swimwear evoked continental jaunts to St. Tropez.  The resort and swimwear at this show had a more European flavor than other designers who presented in Miami

Swimsuits consisted of simple silhouettes.  Twisted and shirred detailing popular in sportswear accented many of the styles for flattering effect in solid colors.  Bright organic prints occupied bikini bottoms and tops along with big billowy chiffon cover-ups.

The story of the beach bags was as important as the clothing.  Big, oversized bags were reminiscent of styles popular in the 1960's and 1970's.  The colors were updated though, with piping trim, metallic handles or straps made from scarves.

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Miami Fashion Week Swim: Aqua Di Lara 2012

How do you bring city fashion into beach fashion?  Montreal-based Reyhan Sofraci. took elements of designer sportswear and incorporated them into swimwear for this season's Aqua Di Lara collection.  A dark, solid colored grouping used hardware trims, mesh cutouts, corset structure and piping for a cosmopolitan look.  


Another grouping used variations on a rainbow stripe to showcase a bright color palette.  The rainbow stripe was paired with an updated placed paisley print in the same color palette.  A third collection showcased a subtle snakeskin print on flesh colored fabric. Metallic pale gold and gold embellishments adorned other suits this group.


This group was aimed at the sophisticated urban girl who is determined to keep her uber-chic style whether she is Downtown or next to the pool.  As long as she keeps her laptop at the office, that's all right by us.

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Miami Fashion Week Swim: Luli Fama 2012

Luli Fama put the show in "fashion show ". Their presentation started with a dramatic tropical storm hitting the tents, lightning flashes wrapping around the clear roof and guests praying in their seats it wouldn't collapse.  Eventually, the show opened with a bright feathered trio of Brazilian dancers to set the party tone.

What followed was one of the most though out swimwear runways of the week. The festive use of color remained throughout with ruffled bikini tops and bottoms that emphasized the curves behind to maximum advantage. Prints had an updated Latin flair, mixing large roses with dots and animal patterns.  

Subtle, this collection was not.  Bikinis had fringe or tassles on the side to emphasize hip and bust shaking movement.  Fabrics had a lot of shine.  Cut-outs were strategically placed to reveal skin in as many ways as artfully possible.

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Miami Fashion Week Swim: Mara Hoffman 2012

Mara Hoffman's swimwear show was The hot ticket of Saturday night.  The stars of the runway were the great prints.  One group mixed a candy colored palette with Aztec inspired prints for a fresh fashion statement on the beach.  Another blended bright tribal motifs with textured animal prints.

For this collection, the coverups are as important as the swimsuits. A huge range of options, dresses, tunics, wraps were designed to take you from the beach to more civilized destinations.  Bohemian caftans were reminiscent of Marrakesh in the 1970's with updated hippie patterns.

  

Miami swim week isn't the huge celebrity magnet that New York is, but Whitney Port jetted in to support the collection in the heat.

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