It is always a treat to see Karen Nielsen’s swimwear designs on parade. And although the same collection was presented earlier in the year, the pieces at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival made a splendid opening to the Splash event. Examining the vintage inspired one-pieces or the high-waisted black bikinis, it is clear that every woman, no-matter their size or shape, will be looking good in a design by Karen Nielsen.

In the only parade at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival that was totally dedicated to swimwear, the designs of Lisa Maree were sure to make an appearance. Lisa Maree is no stranger to the runways of Australian fashion weeks, but this label is not a fashion veteran yet. The design innovation in the colours and shapes of this swimwear demonstrates that Lisa Maree is a designer on the way up.

Daughter Of The Gods was third onto the runway, but it was the first time most members of the audience had heard of them. The bronzed models were adorned with feathers and fluros. The way the models strutted confidently reflects the mantra of the label. Daughter of The Gods was named after the movie made to tell the story of the first woman who demanded the right to wear comfortable and revealing swimwear.

Hotel Bondi Swim’s collections were oh-so-very Sydney. Within each piece the sights and sounds of Sydney’s world famous beachs and nightspots were echoed loudly.

While Hotel Bondi Swim echoed the sights and sounds of Sydney, Bond-Eye shouted them. The colourful prints on the Bond-Eye fabric sung praises of the hot and floral Australian Summer and the way it is celebrated in Bondi.

Sol Bellow is not a widely known about brand, but, with the way each piece has been designed to flatter every body shape, it will soon be a well known brand to beach-goers. Sol Below spreads design inspiration slink black one-pieces to micro-sized scorching red bikinis. The result of the different colours and shapes made a stimulating catwalk show that got the crowd excited for the Summer ahead.

On a boiling day, there is no better feeling than to drape the body with silk and rest poolside. Colin Heaney’s silk kaftans catored for this desire. There were rain-forrest greens and sunburnt reds flowing down the catwalk. For every different emotion evoked by Summer, Colin Heaney catored with a design.

After seeing the models strut the newest swimwear designs, it became clear that skimpy bikinis are the way to go. For Spring/Summer 2010, modesty comes in the form of a kaftan – to be stripped off in moments of heat. The look to-die-for this season is the same as every summer: a perfectly toned and tanned body with just a whisper of colour to complement the natural physique.

BLK1 Article: ELLEN CROSLEY BLK1 Photographer: www.petersollner.com

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.

The scene at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane 2009

It was midday on a scorching hot Sunday. The heat isn’t particularly unusual for Brisbane, except that it’s August and we’re still meant to be farewelling winter. Winter’s departure, this year, was brisk and in its place, the distinct smell of humidity welcomed the typical Queensland spring. It was hot alright but the real scorchers were the lithe models cascading down the pier. That’s right, pier. The Portside Wharf at Hamilton was, this year, host to the 2009 Brisbane Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival Swimwear Parade (MBFF), with an actual cruise ship acting as the backdrop to the stunning scenery.

Design house, Flamingo Sands, paid homage to a bygone era with two-piece sets, featuring bikini tops that tie at the front in a simple loose bow, reminiscent of 1940s pin-up girls. Flamingo Sands however has given a solid revival to the 1940s trend motif, with daring colours and fascinating print detail. The collection featured French nautical designs, edgy black paisley one-pieces and ruffled tankini tops in zebra floral prints. Full briefs and playful one-pieces were fitted with sexy under-wire bras for additional shape and support. The well-contoured pieces and eclectic design motifs distinguished Flamingo Sands as a bold design collection, inspired by European opulence.

Riot Swimwear channelled the Tarzan within in a collection of stunning one and two-piece swimsuits. One standout design featured a grey glittered bikini top, offset by green jungle print bikini bottoms. The ensemble featured an open over-shirt, low-cut to reveal the bikini top, and in a stunning peacock-inspired print. The elegant camisole added an element of intrigue and left a little to the imagination, whilst the sparkling bikini top invited the eye to peer a little closer. Another stand-out piece was a one-piece, with a straight boob-tube cut, that featured a tie-died creation of magnificent purple skies, cascading towards endless golden sand. If movies invite escapism then this is the resort wear equivalent of absorbing yourself in Bruce Brown’s “The Endless Summer” (1966). Designer Gillian Marriage views swimwear as a complete ensemble and a standout feature of her collection is the combination of 60s geometric overskirts with Vietnamese braided peasant hats and a reef of frangipanis tied around the neck, as if it were a delicate Hermès scarf.

The Catwalk at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane 2009

Another stand-out collection was the spectacle of colour presented by designer Colin Heaney, who closed off the show with a spectacular parade of sarongs and glorious beach dresses. It’s easy to see why stockists like Jean Brown Robe carry his label. His designs are fashion, architecture and sculpture combined. He blends one and two-dimensional forms to create stunning silk beach dresses, weaved with intricate design that has a higher purpose than mere style: it tells a story. Heaney juxtaposes fierce animal print with soft peach tie-dye to create psychedelic kaftans that entrance the imagination. He fuses culture with design, creating a dramatic range of Moroccan-inspired prints that burst with colour and exude a feeling that something is brewing beneath the hectic landscape.

This year’s Brisbane MBFF 2009 Swimwear spectacle proved to be an intricate fusion of culture, art, history and daring design. It’s not a blend one would normally expect from a filthy, frilly swimwear parade. But this year Brisbane has paid respectful reverence to Coco Chanel’s immortal advice that fashion is not just something that exists in clothes, it is everywhere.

BLK1 Article: NADA MARTINOVIC BLK1 Photographer: IAN GOLDING

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Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2009. All Rights Reserved.