Hot wheels and hot designs were on display as the annual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2010 took centre stage in Miami. More than 12 thousand people attended the five day extravaganza as scantily clad models strutted down the catwalk showcasing the hottest looks and trends for summer.

Local designer Red Carter delighted the audience with his space-age glamour that included multi-coloured bikinis with gold hardware and structured cuts with mesmerising prints.

The season’s ‘Mercedes-Benz Presents’ designer L*Space by Monica Wise featured tasty bikinis in stunning fabrics with a gorgeous mix of African-inspired prints.
The unique colour of olive green and grey was seen repetitively in the swimwear range which generates a blend of chic modernity into the ageless art-deco environment. This olivine grey was also displayed as one of the colours on the new E-Class Mercedes-Benz coupe at the show.

“Fashion designers share a common thread with automotive designers and that realization comes to life at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Both the vehicles and the garments consistently reflect fashion trends, movements and craftsmanship”, said Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion, Fern Mallis.

Bohéme Boutiques commenced their poolside show with bohemian-inspired garments such as bikinis, beach cover-ups, one-piece swimsuits and scarves in bright colours and prints. With all the essentials covered that would make anyone look stunning at the beach, the collection integrated belted buckle detailing and energetic colours on one-piece swimwear, scarves and bikinis with a touch of embroidery.

Caffe Swimwear took a spin to the bohemian look and launched its first “Making A Change” ensembles with creative elements. Channelling its laid back comfort style in a more humanistic approach, designer Paula Saavedra produced high fashion resort collections that are super chic and sexy with an exotic touch.

Clever cuts and form-fitting bikinis were introduced by Tori Praver Swimwear. The fabulous line includes maillots and cover-ups with a hint of romantic pastels of white and cream pieces. Influenced by her travels, Praver’s swimwear designs are sure to make a big splash this summer.

Meanwhile, Cali-inspired brand Ed Hardy Swimwear took a fashion forward approach to its collection with diverse mix of styles, designs, colours and fabrics. The lifestyle focused brand offered a whole range of mix and match separates and unique embellishments encouraged by the sandy beaches and hot weather of the upcoming season.

Taking a more spiritual approach to her designs, Mara Hoffman translated a variety of unique silhouettes and intense prints from bright and bold to femininely softer hues. The swimwear range demonstrated different styles that will help flatter any body shape. This included playful bikinis and super sexy one-pieces accentuated with colour palettes from red, yellow, black, lavender and blue.

Resort collections with an eye for fashion, White Sands Australia featured 80s-inspired glamour with an edgy twist. Cute frilly bandeau bikinis, Brazilian-inspired bottoms, skilfully shaped maillots in rich gelato colours were presented for ready-to-wear beach wear.

White Sands Australia designer Leah Madden offered flawlessly structured shapes and deep plunging neck lines as well as fun and playful swimsuits, t-shirt dress with shimmering sequins and alluring maxi frocks.

Consumers and the media saw other design collections from Marysia Swim, Crystal Jin Eley, Aqua Di Lara and many more. At Poko Pano’s summer 2010 compilation provided colourful polka dots and stripes of tropical colours incorporated with black, white and beige.

The season’s hottest colours comprised of ocean blue, purple and pink as seen at Marysia Swim, Luli Fama, Cia.Maritima and ANK by Mirla Sabino Swimwear shows.

The everlasting colour of black used innovatively with clever styling details were strongly presented at Vitamin A and V Del Sol runway shows consecutively.

Cutesy-classic with the occasional outrageous twist has appeared to be the design motif used by designers when putting together catwalk shows both this year and in years that have passed. This year will prove once again that this keeping more designs steered towards consumer than couture is a fail-proof method to both sell swimwear and impress the crowds at fashion week.

BLK1 Article: THANH LOAN NGUYEN Images: IMG

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