Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim invaded Miami Beach last week with a bevy of beautiful models and scintillating swimwear styles that seemed bound to make South Florida's beaches sizzle next spring and summer.
For four solid days, I trekked to the fashion tents at The Raleigh in Miami Beach to bring you a sneak preview of what's going to be in vogue on Boca Raton's beaches next year. Since South Florida basically has beach weather year-round, many locals may end up incorporating these trends into their everyday look. Here are some highlights from my Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim adventure, which also happens to be the biggest swimwear event in the country.
July 14 - Diesel This line featured red-, white- and blue-striped bikinis while "The Hills'" Kristin Cavallari worked the runway in an outrageous glass bikini inspired by Skyy Vodka's signature blue bottle. I caught up with Cavallari after the show and she admitted: "I've modeled in fashion shows before, but never swimwear. I was really nervous." Gossip Girl Jessica Szohr was also at the event to celebrate the Official Kick Off Party for fashion week. Then, at The Setai, Cosmopolitan Espanol's "Summer Splash" party and fashion show featured swimwear from several designers including Inca, Nic Del Mar and Elie Tahari. But one of my favorite looks from the night was beaded Buddha bracelets by Miami sisters Nani and Kaki Lopez of N&K Designs.
July 15 - Poko Pano The swimwear at this show was a tropical wave of pineapple- and palm tree branch-adorned bikinis. From grass skirt cover-ups to bold corset-style bikini tops, this collection was a pure reflection of its inspiration - the Amazon Rainforest. Later that night, Crystal Jin's 2012 collection debuted in the Oasis tent with bright orange bikinis and black, orange and gold prints.