Melissa Shoe Launch with Lorenzo Martone and Michelle Levy

It wasn't all bikinis and babes in Miami. Stylish, swim-friendly footwear was served up as well.  PR maven Lorenzo Martone and creative director Michelle Levy hosted an al fresco brunch to present the upcoming season of Melissa Shoes. Formal waiters served a multi-course "meal" of shoes on silver trays.  They were a high-fashion update to the jelly shoes of yesteryear.

Ms. Fab spoke to Lorenzo Martone and asked about the design advantages of plastic over leather.  The dapper Martone explained that intricate open lace patterns would never be possible in leather the way they are in plastic.  Colors and finishes are limitless in plastics, but the same is not true of leathers.

The plastics are also highly recyclable and wearers are definitely encouraged to do so with their footwear.  At the presentation itself, an artistic re-purposing of Melissa Shoes was demonstrated in the tribal masks made from shoe parts from a local artist.  The company makes sustainability a high priority in its business and campaigns.

Lorenzo also spoke about past designer collaborations as well as upcoming projects with designer Jason Wu.  Previous partners include Vivienne Westwood and Paco Rabanne.  

The heat was almost unbearable that day at noon, but it made me realize the most practical aspect of Melissa Shoes.  They are perfect for running straight into the pool.

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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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Sharise Neil's Rock n' Roll Kandy Wrappers

The artsy Sagamore hotel in Miami beach was host to the Kandy Wrappers cocktail party for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim. Designer Sharise Neil was on hand to present the sexy collection to the Ms. FAB team.

The vivacious Neil told us that the line took inspiration from imagining the progeny of a rock star and a surfer girl. Of course, that is more than a tag line. Sharise Neil was married to and toured with Motley Crue’s Vince Neil. She spent much of her school life in the ocean and on a surf board. Her designing experience started with styling hubby’s outfits on tour. She collaborated on an intimates line for low-cut jeans to follow friend Daniella Clark’s denim line.

Fans of Sharise Neil’s collection include Heather Locklear, Fergie and Kate Hudson. This year, Kandy Wrappers was also the official swimsuit supplier for the Miss USA pageant.

The Kandy Wrappers collection for 2011 featured fun, feminine details like ruffles and novelty prints. The bright colors were designed to make you stand out on the beach or backstage. The Brazilian cuts are meant to flatter the fit ‘booty’. Many of the suits were reversible, giving the customer multiple options. The rock n’ roll touches included pyramid stud embellishments and animal prints.

View the full video interview below:

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MIAMI SWIM WEEK: True Religion Preaches American Style 2011

The True Religion Swimwear show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week looked great on Saturday. The Americana motifs were translated into swimwear in the form of horseshoe prints, denim styling and surf silhouettes. Western-style hardware like antique brass studs or rings gave a bit of equestrian influence. Corset tops and lacing added to this look.

Props included surf boards, guitars and cowboy hats. My favorite accessory were the long fringed vests paired with bikinis.

Donald J. Pliner of shoe design fame was sitting in the front row with his wife Lisa. Jasmine Sanders walked the runway, though missing boyfriend Chris Brown in the front. America’s Next Top Model contender Anchal Joseph looked summer elegant.

Slide show and video coming soon...

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MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Boys! Naila at Swell Suits Spring 2011

For all of you who have seen enough svelte female models at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim, I present the very buff, very tan boys of Miami.

The Naila collection is handmade in Italy and designed with an eco-conscious slant. The cuts were decidedly more European than the urban board shorts of the other shows. Shorter shorts with bright color palettes and smaller geometric prints flattered these toned bodies. They also launched a recyclable, environmentally friendly trunk short.

Accessories? Unless you count tanning oil and hairspray, none to speak of. Why distract from the physical perfection?

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MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Boys! Parke & Ronen Spring 2011

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim gave guests a treat with the Swell Suits group show of men’s swimwear. Anyone who needed some eye candy were satisfied by the end of the presentation.

Designers Parke Lutter and Ronen Jehezkel came from different backgrounds (One from Parsons School of Design in NYC, the other from Italy’s Instituto Europeo Di Design). Together, they created Parke & Ronen, a men’s swim collection inspired by 1950’s silhouettes.

Not for the shy boy, the runway had everything from skimpy rainbow-striped briefs to flattering European cut shorts. The prints were bold and graphic; the color palettes had a retro 50’s to 80’s feel.

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MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Beach Bunny and the Kardashians Spring 2011

The Kardashian sisters, in collaboration with Beach Bunny Swimwear’s Angela Chittenden, debuted their swimsuit collection - Kardashians for Beach Bunny in Miami at the elegant Raleigh Hotel Friday.

This was a collection where it was easy to imagine the Kardashian ladies wearing. Some unusual color combinations were saffron yellow V-cut suit with a plunging navel neckline held with a gray toggle belt. There were Missioni-esque prints paired with toggle belts. The collection offered hot bikinis with the fun details like little sparkly ‘bling’ embellishments, candy colored side tie bottoms and lots of shine.

These suits are amped up for sexy, fit bodies and were not geared for the shy of heart. The presentation featured dangerous V-cuts and teeny monokinis on the models that resembled the Kardashian body type, (as in ‘booty-flattering’). Bottoms with shirred seam down the middle of the back accentuated their signature assets.

If you are a beach bunny, this is the line to get for your next stop in Miami, Vegas or Ibiza - fun, sexy, and just enough coverage on the bottom. This collection screams HOT but may not be suitable actual swimming! It’s perfect for lounging on the pool decks of hotels like the Gansevoort (where the FAB team stayed) to take in the sun with a cocktail in hand.

The line also had a series of black lace suits with strategically placed flesh toned cutouts. MsFAB and I had to do a double take on a few of the models as they walked down the runway. But, it did the job. It got our attention.

The Beach Bunny show was a showstopper. The cavalcade of press, photographers, celeb gawkers almost crushed the Kardashian sisters who sat front row for the presentation nearly causing a riot. Selena Gomez of Disney fame was also seen with the famous siblings.
Photos and Story by Ritika W.

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MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Dolores Cortes Spring 2011

White, grey, blue and purples defined the colors of the Dolores Cortes collection presentation at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Miami. The suits were smart and one of the few we saw that had a variety of silhouettes from bikinis to the one-piece. She kept the designs of one-piece silhouettes exciting with artful, asymmetrical cutouts and a shot of neon thru a standard leopard print. The designer used white as the backdrop for her prints and evoked some of great retro looks reminiscent of Charlie’s Angels. Great cover-up pieces easily doubled as elegant summer dresses for beach side dining and dancing.



Ms. Cortes has been a successful swim designer in Spain and chose Miami to present her debut in the US. This collection was one of the standouts shows. We think a Dolores Cortes is the suit to buy and keep, as her pieces were elegant and chic standouts in a sea of disposable swimwear.

From Dolores White Sand Beach Bunny Friday Miami Show

Photos and Story by Ritika W.

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Clarisonic's Buff and Polish

Sweltering heat, too many decadent cocktails and plenty of sexy swimwear shows kept the FABulous duo on our toes or high heels this weekend in Miami. What’s a girl to do when her engagement list is full of shows and no time for a quick freshen up trip back to the hotel?

We were contemplating the same question when we came across the Clarisonic booth inside the VIP Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim lounge held at the gorgeous Raleigh hotel. I walked around the VIP lounge while our divine MsFABulous sank into facial bliss with the specialist from Clarisonic using the new Opal Sonic Infusion System who was offering demos. The technician lightly applied the cooling Anti-Aging Sea Serum around the eye area before applying the Opal's system which works by applying a gentle sonic 'massaging' action to help penetrate the the serum into the skin. I noticed a subtle difference in Mariana’s eyes after the demo. Her eyes were less puffy and noticeably softened. MsFabulous remarked the next day after our treatments, that her migraine headache was less pronounced. Perhaps it was the serum or the massaging sonic treatment around her eye area that did it, but it certainly was a much needed treat and a product we are coveting and want to get soon from Sephora. This is an mini investment so try it first with a complimentary mini treatment at Sephora.

The Opal

The Opal's results were impressive enough for us to sign up the next day to try out the cleansing system at the demo booth under the fashion tents. The Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System system was gentle on my face. The technician cleansed my skin Gentle Hydro Cleanser and finishing off with the the DR. ROBB Renewal Serum. After the cleansing, my skin definitely felt clean,not stripped down, and felt moist and soft for the rest of our hectic day. And yes, we went back again on Sunday for another treatment because it was addictive and much needed before our flight back to NYC to face Monday morning.

The company was kind enough to offer us the Skin Cleansing System to take home for a trial run. We will report back on our results.

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MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Ed Hardy Spring/summer 2011

There are few brands whose motifs are as recognizable as Ed Hardy. The sexy, tattoo-inspired label presented their looks at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim with a HOT show on the runway.

The pieces for women featured signature Christian Audigier motifs in strategically placed prints. Teeny bikinis bore tattoos across the apex, the behind, down the side, in color or monochromatic foil prints. Some studded styles and corset tops made their way down the runway as well.
For men, more elaborate tattoo designs were translated into colorful board shorts. Corde Broadus, son of Snoop Dogg showed these off with cool attitude.

The ladies were styles with full curls and edgy dark eye makeup. This being Miami Beach, the models looked like they just stepped off a motorcycle right into the Cabana Grande.

Actress/accessories designer Phoebe Price outfitted the models with flamboyant feather hairpieces. (Slide Show coming soon!)

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