Lidea’s Rebecca Bikini isn’t quite the reproduction of old time sailor outfits that you might think it is at first glance.
Lidea is, however, a beautiful tribute to that old style. The classic horizontal stripes seem an obvious choice for designer swimwear. Timeless, simple and flattering, even if the vertical stripe is more often publicized as so. But look broadly at most designer swimwear today and you get floral, abstract and animal.
I write about fashion all day, so I can see how each new season that includes these conventions has evolved from the last seasons that included it. I get to see how new and appealing those versatile patterns can be when a designer starts over with them. All these patterns and trends are good, of course. But what about those designs that don’t usually get this treatment?
Rebecca is one of these pieces. Sailor-chic is a style that’s been left mostly unaltered for as long as it’s existed. Lidea’s designer swimwear takes the classic styles and gives it a fresh start.
The stripes on the cups are much narrower than most horizontal patterns, which give your upper body a more toned look. The stitching in the cup’s fabric is use to clever effect here too. As the stripes converge, the stitching cuts them in two ans makes them point upwards, just a little.
This gives the top a visual lift effect that’s very flattering and perfect for shaping your shoulders and chest.
The briefs have a lot more coverage than most modern designer swimsuits, too. This trend is gaining in popularity. It’s one of the best ways to connect with the classic styles of swimwear. The deep briefs and high waist of this bikini are a tribute to the pin up era of fashion, a staple of sailor-chic.
Lidea haven’t been with us for too long, but with designer swimwear releases like this, they’ll soon be one of our favourite brands. I’m hoping, with more of their great work, they’ll be one of yours too.
2012 will be the year of the kaftan for us in the swimwear world.
Kaftans have become uncommonly popular of the Christmas period, and we are delighted to say that so many people are taking an interest in a whole variety of them. The great thing about kaftans, and all clothing like it, is that it’s technically an accessory.
More of an accompaniment, really. An add on to the main outfit that can compliment or drastically change the tone of your look.
I’m a lover of subtle swimwear and understated fashion, but the kaftan is where the rules don’t apply quite so rigidly. Because it’s there to accent and alter the look somewhat, it needs to be sharper and more obvious.
Well, one new item that is really quite ideal for accenting your swimwear this coming Spring is Rosch Passion.
Rosch is obsessed with sophistication. Their work is fantastic, both in the quality of the item and the way they show it. Their photography is fantastic, isn’t it?
Passion is an interesting and intriguing piece. On the body, you have what is probably a passion flower, in bright orange and pink. I actually think that kind of colour scheme is possibly better for Winter, as the weather in the tropics becomes milder and this kaftan is ideal for sunsets near the beach.
I liked the zebra stripes Rosch chose for one side of the kaftan. I don’t know my floral arrangements as well as I should, but stripes and exotic flowers makes me think the design is a tiger lily…
Wikipedia just said it may very well be.
But what does it matter? Rosch has created a beautiful, versatile and effective kaftan. This is hard to do with bright colours, but Passion is full of milder shades that suit tropical Winters and gentle Springs. This is a kaftan for exotic locations and equally exotic tastes.
Our series continues. Gottex and their Autumn swimwear is performing beautifully in every scene and setting.
The piece I want to show you today is my favourite full-body swimsuit in their arsenal for our Autumn swimwear series.
Sunna (below) follows on beautifully from Gottex Gold, their flagship kaftan.
The colour scheme, which I mention was the feature of Gottex’s new designs, puts it squarely in the Autumn/Winter season.
Sunna is rich and majestic. She’s an easy to wear and effortless piece and gives you the relaxed but poised edge Autumn/Winter clothing is famed for. The warm, deep shades and the simple knot at the breastbone are the Gottex contribution to this legacy.
Sunna is meant for an audience outside of the British Autumn, though. It’s made for those women who are travelling South for the Winter. October/November is fast becoming popular with Britons, with the milder climate and the avoidance of Christmas’ mass Exodus.
You might have already noticed the cut of the bottom is quite high, sitting in the very bridge of the hip, rather than a lot of modern swimwear that sits lower down. The top of the cups and the highest part of the underarm are also dangerously low! Where it dips, it plummets. Where it rises, it rises just enough. The shoulders are left almost without any coverage with those spaghetti straps. Gottex have developed a true sunbather’s swimsuit.
Gottex have maximized the potential of this design and have given you the perfect companion piece to their Gold Kaftan. Autumn swimwear, all beachwear, is supposed to be designed with the stylish women in mind. This swimsuit takes that rule of thumb and runs rings around the next best thing.
Sunna is a beautiful example of how stunning Autumn swimwear can be. It’s not just a utility, it’s a whole new chance to involve yourself with truly artistic design.
I’m not done with Gottex yet. They have so much more for you this season, so if you’d like to see what kind of beautiful Autumn swimwear you might like to take away with you this year, keep in touch with us through Twitter or you can get updates by clicking “Like” on Facebook.
There’s going to be a mad rush for swimwear in the next week or so, you know?
It was announced on the news yesterday that October is the most popular month for Britons to go on holiday. This is quite astounding! Apparently, people interviewed said that they prefer the slightly cooler months of Autumn when they travel to places in the Mediterranean and to North Africa, and they don’t have to go away at Christmas when it becomes more expensive.
This makes sense, so I’m looking at a few Autumn-friendly designs this month. One I’ve found has led me to another two and, what do you know, a series is born!
Today’s Autumn ready item of swimwear was chosen because of it’s rich golden colour. It’s the Gottex Gold Kaftan.
Is that not one of the best kaftans we’ve ever had? I think so, too.
I’m still deliberating. Is gold an Autumn colour? I think it’s probably the only colour that’s good for any season. You see plenty of yellow and such around Summer, you put sparkly gold things on your Christmas tree (it’s not to every one’s taste, but that’s cool).
But for Autumn, gold is seen everywhere, in various shades, making it’s presence known in the leaves of the trees.
So if you’re fleeing to a warmer, sharper climate this month, or next, take a look at the subtle, glistening patina above you. Gottex are the masters of rich and sumptuous patterns and materials. I can always tell a Gottex kaftan by it’s shining shades and twinkling quality.
Gottex Gold is, as all things of this colour, ideal for the beach. But judging by the epaulets and blazer-like collar, Gold is also made with the city in mind. Imagine it on the streets of Barcelona or Lisbon. Somewhere warmer, definitely.
Of course, you can where it wherever you want, that’s what good fashion is all about. It’s elegant, that’s the important thing. What do you thing? Too sunshine-friendly for a city break? Is that even possible? Tell us.
Until next time, when I have a superb accompaniment to this superb kaftan. Ciao!
Dawn, Jonathan and I have always been trying to keep one thing in mind with our range. Find only the very best quality items available in the world of swimwear, and then sell them. Our efforts have all been highly concentrating on curating a collection of these higher end bikinis and swimsuits. But we don’t want to restrict what could be a fantastic range of unrivalled selection.
So recently we’ve been looking at our closest brands to find other beachwear that we think people would love to experience alongside their stunning swimsuits. The answer was the ever more popular beach dress.
This is Oroblu’s Haiti Beach Dress. When I said we were looking at our closest brands, I mean we’re looking at the brands whose quality has proven itself time and again. Brands that we can trust to offer us, and you of course, the very best of a new type of beachwear. The answer was one of our oldest partnerships, something we’ve been handling with our other site too. Oroblu, one of Italy’s premier clothing designers.
The Haiti Dress is designed as a kind of elegantly practical mix of the light and comfortable kaftan and the evening wear worthy summer gown. As far as this mix goes, I’ve heard nothing but great things about its comfort and fit, its style and its ease.
As for the design itself, well that’s entirely up to you!
Personally, I love anything that comes in a simple arrangement of colours. No more than three, but ideally two. This is Oroblu’s logic and it works well when you’re looking to make something that blends in beautifully with any scene. This is as ideal for restaurants as it is for basking in the sea breeze.
I don’t know about you, but that kind of hassle free fashion sense is something I’ve yet to see with any gentleman’s swim shorts. Perhaps I should lobby Oroblu for something similar for my own market.
What do you think? Of the dress, I mean.
If I said to you that one of the most exciting ranges of swimwear this season was on our site and it had arrived to a fantastic fanfare, where would you guess it was from?
Italy? France? Maybe Portugal or Spain?
That last one is close, but no.
How about Peru?
Aguaclara is a South American brand that’s rocketed in popularity over the past few weeks! And why not? Some on the very best emerging bands are coming from this area of the world nowadays. Poko Pano, a Brazilian brand, has been with us for a number of seasons now and people love their swimwear. It seems Aguaclara are going to heading a very popular new movement of great bikinis and swimsuits!
Their sudden jump to the top of the swimwear world might have something to do with their superb quality, but let’s not overlook their designing.
Their range is built on vibrant colours and dazzlingly complex patterns. Everything they have to offer has been touched by their homeland. Sumptuous jungle-ready emeralds and animal patterns.
There happens to be few minimalist designs for those who like to keep their look simple, but Aguaclara is designing for a particular style and chic. Designs like Selva Virgen (pictured below) blend those greens and animal prints I just mentioned.
Leopard is always popular, but you don’t tend to see it as a part of a larger zoological ensemble. It’s a very refreshing site to see such a cacophony of colour! And check out that brown shoulder clasp. An adjustable feature that can sit on either shoulder and create an asymmetry in your costume. Breaking down symmetry can be the perfect way to make your costume stand out beautifully.
Let’s take a look at some of the more simplistic designs.
Paraiso (above) is Spanish for “paradise”. Not a bad name for this piece. Aguaclara swimwear is elegant and a pleasure to wear, and on a beautiful beach, what could be closer to paradise?
One more picture I’m going to show you is my favourite coloured piece of swimwear from Aguaclara.
Playa Mediterranea. It has a Mediterranean appeal, but the diamonds and circles look more Mayan or Aztec to me. Peru’s always had a great tradition of art and you can see Aguaclara’s designers taking advantage of that.
All in all, this new collection is a beautiful mixture. Mostly, it’s a brand for people who love their colours, and it’s definitely ready for the beach first.
See the rest of the collection here, and tell us what you think.
Roidal Sultan is more than just a classical print reproduced with care. It is the modern (or postmodern, if your the scarf-wearing arty type) design that will put Roidal ahead of the competition.
The design, for the first few nano-seconds of your seeing it, looks like a million others. Earthy colours, nicely spaced and a little bit sparse in its scattering. Leopard, always a strong contender.
But look for more than a moment and you’ll see the design is a hazy, phased-out cloning of the classical animal skin affair.
This piece is shimmering, translucent imitation of leopard skin, which has been a constant fixture of the swimwear landscape for an age. Roidal have re-imagined what it means to make a classic swimsuit. This company has a tradition of not making the same old tired things, again and again. It’s all about stupendous and stunning works of art, but with their own individual stamp.
Sultan has defied even more of the swimwear industry’s wisdom by throwing out the standard colour scheme. You might see from the picture that Roidal are using an entirely new set of shades and hues. If not, take a look at this close up.
The fabric is rendered in more of a bone white than a faded gold. This colour revolution leaves this swimsuit with a much more refreshed look and a clean, elegant and modern edge.
Just a word on the centre feature. The ruffled sash that runs around your torso adds a clever slant to the neckline. The neckline itself is practically plunging! To ease and soften this dramatic occurrence, the horizontal sash is implemented. It gives this swimsuit, and your body, a much more gentle and sophisticated shape.
The shape of Roidal’s Sultan Swimsuit lends itself to sunbathing very well. It’s one of the best full length items for bronzing I know of, but I think this belongs squarely on the sand. The poolside is too tame for a design like this.
Keep it near the crashing and falling of the shore and it’ll show it’s very best side, and yours too.
UK Beachwear is on a campaign of expansion. We’re stopping at nothing to snatch up every high fashion brand available, and our brazen approach seems to be working, as our latest brand will tell you.
Liberti, an Italian company that’s been curating it’s own collection of highly prized designers and talent for a while now, has just launched it’s swimwear on the Internet, exclusively to UK Beachwear.
Liberti have never dealt with the Internet before. They were a little worried about how they’d do. Liberti is one of those brands that doesn’t need to worry about this. Their work, like all great work should, speaks for itself. Their range is supremely beautiful and their photography is breathtaking.
Their collection consists of five exotic and magnificent designs that have stepped into the fashion season to thundering applause.
A few words on each is needed, I think.
Liberti have kept with tradition when it comes to naming their designs. Each one has been selected from some of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean. Each one fits the choice perfectly.
Amalfi
Liberti’s first swimwear design is a jaw-dropping animal bikini. Amalfi features a half cup bra and a shallow brief, making this the perfect choice for sunbathers. The addition details on this piece are astounding. I write about swimwear and legwear all day, but this kind of creativity is what stops veteran reviewers in their tracks. The minute stitching and careful contours give a more feral feel to this big cat pattern.
Theirs a almost primal look about the rugged and makeshift lines. It has an authentic, Serengeti style that sets it apart from the plainer animal prints you’ll find available. Liberti is raising the benchmark here.
Gallipoli
Gallipoli is named after two wonderful parts of the Mediterranean Coast. One, part of the Turkish coastline, the other, a age old Italian village on the tip of the Italian peninsula. Which ever location you prefer, Liberti know exactly what you’ll need to fit in, and stand out. Gallipoli is a blend of counter-culture chic and sumptuous Eastern charm.
The deep, ruffles brief and it’s suspended halter neck give her a relaxed and easy look. Gallipoli is good for sunbathing too, but with the extra ties and strings around the bottoms and the breastbone, This bikini also stands as a fashion lovers piece, all on it’s own. The motif is a very interesting one. The swirling lotuses and explosions of colour are something you’d see in an eastern palace, or a lost jungle city. This bikini is a superb achievement and one of our richest and most sumptuous designs.
Malta
This is a real, authentic Mediterranean work of art. The pomegranate purples and the dusky stone yellows give this gorgeous bikini an island paradise theme.
The tiny, repeating markings remind me of precious stones. Especially when set next to the two crystals of the brief. The jewel colours give it the spirit of it’s origin. The sizzling heat and cool, relaxing gardens of a nearby paradise. Liberti have done well to get a blend of such warm and cool colours in one swimwear design.
Malta follows a more modern idea with it’s look. It’s a simple piece, little in the way of patterning, and all it’s efforts going towards bold colour and precision fit. Malta is a 21st Century take on classic tropical island chic.
Giglio
If you’ve read this at my other blog recently, well, good for you! Also, you might see the resemblance. Giglio has a similar Aztec theme to it that Miss Oroblu has incorporated in there latest piece, Mystery. Admittedly, Mystery is a more fluid, winding expression of New World beauty. With Giglio, you get some much more animalistic!
The solid colours and lines look almost carved into the fabric. The massive, forceful blocks of patterning are something that’s going to be seen more and more in next season. This piece has a long life ahead of it, which is an impressive trick to pull of with something so bold. I mentioned jungle chic before. If that’s the kind of thing your in to, you might want to take a look at this one first.
Marsiglia
Again, I’m having to revise myself. Must take a good luck at all design before I start my reviews next time. Should be too much of a chore.
I’m having to overrule what I said about the Malta bikini being the most modern of the collection. Marsiglia is a pure and refined item. It is all about the colour and the fit with this piece. The slender, tapering straps have been maximized for developing your tan and the half cups set the perfect stage for giving you a superb bronzed effect.
The colour is something we accounted in Malta. This particular green is rich, verdant and jewel-like. It says “richness”, “quality” and “grace”, and combined with a minimal design and no patterning, you’ll have the full affect of this attention-grabbing masterpiece at your fingertips. Or your shoulders. Or your waist.
They couldn’t have picked a bikini that suited the female form better.
This swimsuit is quite something, isn’t it?
It’s these kinds of designs that make me reluctant to post about a whole collection all at once.
In my last post on Maryan Mehlhorn’s Summer swimwear, I briefly talked about this design, but it occurred to me that mentioning this in passing just won’t do!
Tell Me What You See
The Leather Belted Swimsuit is something of a Rorschach test, I think.
You look at the markings, which might not mean anything at all, and you say what you see.
I see a couple of things straight off. A tropical island, the blues are the gentle reflection of the ocean, the orange is the air shimmering at sunset. Or it’s a volcano erupting. I can’t tell.
Or maybe the orange is something else. The scales of a marine fish? I think it might be a tiger.
But really, the whole point of a work of abstract art like that is to let you make your own mind up about it. One thing I can say for sure is that Maryan Mehlhorn have created a beautiful swimsuit design, one that’s perfect for a tropical location. The intense yellows and blues are fantastic for the pool, but I think the real potential of this swimsuit comes out when it’s under the shade of a palm tree, spread across white sand with a refreshing drink near by. Something with pineapple in it!
The photography says it all. Wide open spaces, breathtaking views and crystal clear tides. The earthy stitching around the belt and the leathery lace-up breastbone remind me of the famous shot of Raquel Welsh from One Million Years B.C.
Maryan Mehlhorn have got hold of that simple, strong and uncompromising look with the added leather belt. They’ve taken the Cavegirl chic and given it a vibrant edge, whilst keeping the whole look familiar. Even Raquel has a touch of yellow and blue in this photo!
Maryan Mehlhorn’s swimwear is still very new to UK Beachwear, but they’ve been honing their skills in the boutiques of Europe for years. When it first came out, the picture above was called “the definitive look of the 1960′s”. That would be a compliment to most swimwear brands, but it seems to me that these designers wouldn’t settle for that.
After all, who want’s to be trapped in one decade? Maryan Mehlhorn is only interested in being timeless!
I can’t remember when I was more excited than I am now! Career-wise, I mean.
Maryan Mehlhorn is now part of the UK Beachwear family.
Maryan Mehlhorn is a brand world renowned for producing stellar designs with unrivalled precision. Personally, I’m proud to be hosting this marvellous brand. We’re keen to work only with brands that have a reputation for excellent products.
UK Tights is very much based on choice and variety. But UK Beachwear is entirely about fine, crafted products. An investment, not just a purchase.
How You Know It’s Excellent
The other day, I was watching an interview with Jony Ive, the SVP of Design at Apple Inc. He was talking about how he designs his computers, and something chimed with me. He said the dozens of products being churned out by companies only shows how clueless they are. If you’re designing something, spend your time on a handful of beautiful creations, and you’ll see something magnificent come out of it.
I mention this, because Maryan Mehlhorn have only one kaftan this year, and it seems Jony was right!
The Kaftan comes in a stunning amethyst purple. It’s body is mostly plain, lightweight and unadorned. A good way to set the stage for more elaborate patterns. The sleeves and hems are more opulent. Plenty of twisting flourishes and Eastern motifs, and the chain at the breastbone adds a world of colour and vitality to finish your beach outfit nicely.
Halter Neck Swimsuit
Two swimsuits have been released this season.
The first, a perfect match for the kaftan in the same jewel colour. It’s sheen is much richer, though. Almost velveteen. The halter keeps it a straightforward design with little to distract the eyes.
That is, until the broach is spotted! The three gold hoops and the star burst of folds drag your eyes to exactly the right places.
One of the most creative ways to hone the slimming effect I’ve seen so far.
Leather Belted Swimsuit
The other swimsuit is Maryan Mehlhorn Leather Belted. This is quite something! A swimsuit in tye die with a brown leather belt and a string-up cup.
This is like a cross between something Wonder Woman and Raquel Welsh (a la One Million Years B.C.) might wear. Or perhaps a cocktail of album art by Pink Floyd and Primal Scream.
It sounds exquisitely bizarre, but I actually love this swimsuit. Maryan Mehlhorn must have a fine, motley bunch of designers to come up with something so… far out!
Halter Neck Bikini
Rendered in the same magenta shades, there Halter Neck Bikini is an ideal partner of the Kaftan. More so, because you have the ability to switch between sunbathing and stylish-but-covered.
This haltered two-piece is even better at guiding the gaze than the swimsuit, I think.
The three gold rings and the side-straps, with there range of folds, along with the cups, that all meet gracefully at the centre. The effect is a shaped and complemented shape, starting at the neck line and finishing at the hips.
This bikini has more of Maryan Mehlhorn’s genius in it that anything else from their collections.
Nautical Bikini
This piece is somewhat different from what we’ve seen so far. A deeper, more royal set of hues. I like the new Naval-chic trend in beachwear. Navy is ideal for quality beachwear. Deep, rich and strong colours reflects the craftsmanship of a Maryan Mehlhorn or a Rodial, they give of a certain confident beauty.
The white trim is an old favourite, a perfect pairing and a striking addition.
They give a similar effect to the blue of the fabric. Strong, imposing and intelligently tasteful.
I think this bikini says more about the person wearing it than it does about the designers or craftsmen. It’s not just a bikini from a big name, it’s a bikini for one, as well.
And With that Said…
I’m so proud to be working with Maryan Mehlhorn. It’s a privilege to get to be in the thick of things with people who know what they’re doing. Their designers know what our customers want, and what we want.
If you’re looking for this kind of intelligent, diligent and attentive work in your swimwear, there’s few I could recommend more than Maryan Mehlhorn. But then again, if you’re drawn to this kind of swimwear, I don’t think you need my recommendations at all!