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!
I’ve really come to love Little Kiss over the past few seasons. They’ve grown from strength to strength with every release. Their design methods have become more mature. Everything they’ve learned comes down to this.
I picked the Mia swimsuits for a review because I think it’s a fantastically creative design. It draws on a lot of fashion trends of the past and you can see a lot of Pop Culture in the piece, but the result is entirely original.
It has an 80′s flare that bridges the gap between retro and modern. The bright lines and solid, luminous blocks are quintessential discotheque chic. They make the whole piece seem so wonderfully alive.
These features, however, are more than just aesthetics. You’ll notice that the stripes aren’t entirely identical. There’s a noticeable difference between the upper and lower tiers. This is one reason why Little Kiss are in my good books. Mia has defied the conventions of swimsuit design and the result is even better that I’d expected.
The slender lines start around the midriff. The designers have targeted here, first and foremost.
One thing that jumped to mind when I saw this design was who forward it is. The colours, the blocks, that contrast. Is it too much?
Mia didn’t think so. The lines are broken. The odd and occasional blocks of contrasting colour flank an area of black. This maze-like effect does more than take the design away from Tron and into the realm of Pac-Man! It also keeps the design from being too simple. The design stays interesting and makes sure your eyes will follow the design a little bit longer. It’s forward… but it’s also inviting.
These broken up blocks stop the piece from going stale and keep the eyes in check. Another layer of clever design that’s fast emerging the most visual-friendly swimsuit of the year!
As the swimsuit’s finished design goes, Little Kiss have done so much with this piece, it’s hard to believe that their isn’t more on the fabric!
This is something I rave about a lot. There’s always room for taste, but objectively, it’s what a design can do with what it’s got that makes it a success. When you have a group of designers thatcan do so much with so little, you’ve got a truly winning formula.
I’m liking Little Kiss more and more each season. The Mia swimsuit is, in my opinion, a complete success and I hope their formula is going to keep on working well for a few more years.
Every single season, without fail, Gottex has delivered at least one design that’s a complete jaw dropper.
I’d show you last season’s winner, but as expected, it sold out almost immediately. There’s nothing left to show.
The newest addition is Eva. She’s unbelievable.
I’d like to put part of their breathtaking designs down to fantastic photography and an amazing model. Yes, Gottex is the industry leader for photography, but I think it’s the design that really takes your breath away.
Eva is a halter neck piece, with rather narrow shoulder straps. This is a very wise choice for tanning purposes, but I think the designers had a more visual effect in mind.
The slender straps are very good for the coveted slimming effect and a great way to draw gazes to the neckline.
Of course, this swimsuit has no trouble attracting gazes in the first place! The colour scheme is inspired! I think sharper shades can be a risky choice, but Gottex have always taken the biggest risks and made the biggest payoffs.
Gottex have taken this bright and succulent shade of lime and have really played it to their advantage.
The swimsuit’s real asset is it’s originality. It takes some extremely creative features and blends them beautifully. I’m talking here about the strapped effects on the swimsuits midriff. Again this is a technique used for slimming, but I think Gottex’s design team wanted to make you stand out as well as enhance your figure. This imaginative addition to the design is a gorgeous and inventive way to really express yourself with your swimwear and the ideal way to avoid ordinary and commonplace swimwear.
But I’m not saying that Gottex is entirely new and never-before-seen. I think Gottex’s swimwear still has a healthy attitude to popular new trends. They’ve given Eva and so many other designs a modern edge. Their work relies on simplicity.
The Eva swimsuit design is slender, areodynamic and uninterrupted. It’s expressive, but never obnoxious. It’s simplistic, but never ordinary. Eva is a brave design, and when it comes to good design, Gottex’s bravery is really paying off!
Adding a new brand can be like welcoming a new member of the family. When I’m writing for the Tights Blog, I introduce new brands all the time. UK Tights has over Forty brands now. With beachwear, it’s a lot more intimate.
With swimwear, we try concentrate on a handful of luxury designers.
Recently, we’ve welcomed a brand we feel fit right in. It’s a brand that captures what we’re about.
There’s been an excited buzz around Cotton Club. They’ve decided, like so many clever designers, that internet is the way forward.
Dawn had already met their agent, Ian. He’s also Le Bourget’s man in England. He met us at a show and asked us to come to the private showing of the new Cotton Club season. After Ian announced Cotton Club was willing to go digital, we signed on the line which is dotted.
It’s customary to only order a select few designs with swimwear items. This time we bought in six. They’re all beautiful.
Bikinis
Brezza
The Brezza bandeau bikini is all about stand-out colours. The design is simplistic, my favourite kind, but it’s had a clever lotus flower motif added to the cups. A complex centre-piece makes onlookers jump to attention. If done correctly, it finishes the design beautifully. Cotton Club has done it correctly.
Mimetic
Mimetic takes its beauty from its namesake. Mimetic means mimicry. Camouflage. The colours and shades of this bikini blend in beautifully with one another. The sequins catch the light perfectly. And with the design being green, it suits a whole array of different skin tones.
Jazz
The ultimate in easy style and utter enjoyment. Jazz! This music’s the first port of call after one of those days. The vibrancy makes you feel alive! Cotton Club hit the jackpot with this. My favourite bikini from CC this season. Vibrant pink and an unhurried white trim. This bikini doesn’t pretend.
Dresses
Minimal Chic
Two dresses, our first two. My favourite, and the most striking of the two, is the Minimal Chic Dress. Minimal; my kind of design! The whole point of keeping designs sparse is so your eye’s concentrate on one place. Minimal Chic is completely bare. The designer’s goal is to take people’s gazes away from the dress altogether. Instead, they’re looking at who’s wearing it.
Vispa is Italian for lively. This is a fitting opponent for Cotton Club’s Minimal Chic. This piece walks a different path. Vispa is an undeniable storm of colour that throws together abstract shapes, flowers and butterflies (I think). The effect is a stand-out dress and a very special outfit.
Wraps
A Pareo is Tahitian for a long piece of cloth that you wrap around your waist. They’re traditionally worn like an ankle-length dress. Cotton Club’s Pareo is a piece of sartorial excellence. The colossal flowers brightly contrast one another, as well as the white background. And after a few days on the beach, they’ll contrast your bronze tan too. Cotton Club concentrate on great designs, and they never forget outfits should look as good on the first day as it does on the last.
A few weeks ago, Richard Barnes, our Gottex agent, told us he was snowed under with a new project. Naturally, we got nosy.
“What’s the project, Rich? A new Brand?!” asked Dawn.
“Yeah” he replied, “I’m very excited. It’s a very exclusive French bikini designer. They’ve asked me to be their agent!”
He told us his new brand was Pain de Sucre.
Pain De Sucre is one of the best bikini designers in Europe. If you’re in the bikini industry, you’ll find that people get protective. A lot of designers like to claim that their the very best. It’s pretty understandable.
Pain de Sucre is the exception. When you mention their name, everybody’s respectful. Their legacy is huge. Everyone knows their work. Everyone takes inspiration from them.
Of course, Richard would be busy. These guys are popular but they aren’t in too many shops. He probably spent most of his time fending off potential retailers!
We were very excited to here about the French bikini giants coming to the UK . We were more excited when Richard asked us if we’d be interested!
Even though their bikini range are different to our other brands, we knew their bikini designs would be the perfect addition to our site. I’ve noticed that a lot of our bikini items concentrate on simple and elegant designs. While Pain de Sucre is definitely elegant, it’s portfolio isn’t the exercise in Minimalism that Roidal’s is.
They’ve a greater mixture in their bikini pieces. Most of their Spring/Summer bikini collections are a blend of Bohemian patterns and classic colours. A lot of scarlet and baby blue, along with plenty of paisley and floral.
I’m not going to write a review of all Pain de Sucre’s bikini items in this post. I’d just like to introduce you to the brand and say how glad I am that Richard made us a retailer. He’s a good agent and has impeccable taste in bikini resellers!
Over the next few days, I’ll publish reviews for each new bikini. They’re on our site now, if you want to look before then.
Subscribe by email, via the box to the right, and the reviews will go straight to your email address as soon as I publish them!
Enjoy!
Roidal’s Canne Swimsuit is a masterpiece. This is no exaggeration. I saw this piece at the Swimwear show in Harrogate. It’s my favourite in the whole collection. It sums up what Roidal’s swimwear has aimed at for seasons, and it’s going to set the design benchmark for all swimwear.
Just a note. I don’t know why, but someone has put Smoke and Purple on our site as two different products. I think because both images are stunning and we don’t want to sacrifice either one. They are beautiful, too.
This swimsuit jumped out at me at the Harrogate show. I’m walking about the place, awestruck. This is my first show. I shan’t lie, part of the awe is the models. I think their make up is stunning!
Roidal’s agent, David, is on his stand. Racks of extremely expensive looking items and a wall full of Roidal paraphernalia surround him. There’s a model there too. Roidal is our sanctuary. Every swimwear designer is at Harrogate. They’re all there, trying to get you on their stands, feeling their swimsuit, mauling their kaftans. Roidal is the place you go to find the gems. They don’t need to try and sell it to you.
We’re with David now. Dawn’s drunk. David’s wearing an impossible tie. I’m scanning through their look-book. I know why I’m here. The thing that’s got us on Roidal’s stand. It’s in the designs!
Roidal only work with a purpose. They don’t add anything that won’t improve their work. They don’t have the cluttered extras others insist on adding. Some of Roidal’s swimwear is vibrant and colourful, but it’s never too much.
Simple is the hallmark of great thinking. Truman Capote, responsible for the world’s most perfectly written book, used to say “I prefer the scissors to the pen”. Clothing’s no different. Armani is famed for it’s simplicity, it’s quality and it’s colossal business empire. They getting something right, I suppose.
The Canne Swimsuit masters the understated. The body of the swimsuit is bold and undistracted. The shoulders are slender, dynamic and unobtrusive. The cups are the only part of this swimsuit that aren’t entirely plain. This is where Roidal have been very clever.
People often mistake simplistic with bare. They mistake elegance designing with no designing. Roidal has avoided visual poverty by adding a ruche to the cups of the Canne swimsuit. They’ve taken an otherwise plain item, and with one simple alteration, turned it into something really special.
With only one detail on the swimsuit, Roidal has created a swimsuit that the eyes down the length of your body and compliments your shape perfectly.
Roidal’s stand at Harrogate had a lot of people on it. We were lucky to get in at the time we did. Looking at the Canne, you can see why. When you’ve got something this beautiful in your hands, you can understand why people are drawn to David’s stand. You can see why I only make fun of his tie behind his back!
Yes! Another brand has entered UK Beachwear’s Swimwear Mansion, and this one is a bit more on the just-wanna-have-fun side than what you might have seen here before.
Skinny Dip’s designs are all about creating feminine, seductive and down-right-fun bikinis. Their swimwear is, of course, some of the best quality you’ll find on the market. UK Beachwear wouldn’t have it any other way!
But it’s clear from their designs that they’re out to make stunning bikinis and create some glances and gazing out of thin air.
Skinny Dip Halter Anchor Bikini with Skirt, the first design on the Skinny Dip page, is a real treat. Gosh! This kind of swimwear is meant to be very visual, and the delightful skirts makes this bikini much more than just a normal triangle brief. A great one for being original and darling!
Skinny Dip also released the Anchor without the skirt. This version is also a regular halter neck, so what the skirt did to draw glances your legs, the halter top should do the same to draw glances to your neck line.
Skinny Dip Ruffle Triangle Polka Dot Bikini is perhaps the girliest bikini in the range. The tie sides on the briefs and the ruffles on the cups make this swimwear design very sumptuous. Combined with the pastel colouring, this bikini is a real summer favourite, and best suited for beaches and sunbathing. Don’t confine this one to lengths in the pool, it would be a sin!
Skinny Dip Pin-Up has everything you could want from a bikini. Halter straps that draw attention to the neck line, a broach that emphasises the breastbone, tie-sides with side-broaches that’s become a very popular bikini addition and a Pin-Up theme. This bikini has it all and it’s my personal favourite this season.
If this kind of swimwear is the kind for you, then don’t hesistate. These designs will definitely be quick sellers, and I’m confident next season’s will be no different. If you found this review helpful, then subscribe for free and recceive email updates on the latest fashion swimwear via email at the bottom of the page. Have fun and go wild!
Little Kiss Swimwear. One of our latest brands and one of our most promising.
For my first swimwear blog post, I’ll be reviewing the Little Kiss swimwear and the three fantastic designs that UK Beachwear has taken on. But first, I think a little background is in order.
Little Kiss Swimwear is a Spanish brand that has been designing some of Europe’s most respectable swimwear releases since it was founded. Little Kiss is also one of the best brands when it comes to fit and you certainly won’t be disappointed with the comfort and feel of these swimsuits.
Little Kiss Freda is a very elegant design and one of my favourite swimwear designs this season. The blend of orange, chocolate and black is a colour scheme that we haven’t had at UK Beachwear before. The orange on this swimsuit is a separate piece of material making it look almost like a sash that links onto a very tasteful ring in the middle of the bust. I have noticed a whole bunch of designers have been using this kind of broach, and it looks as if it will be staying for quite some time. So, if you are looking for a swimsuit that will soon become a classic, this one has your name on it.
Little Kiss Livinia Swimsuit is a great design and I don’t mind saying it was my very favourite of the three new designs. After some inspection, I noticed the swimsuit was chocolate and mocca, and the design is a blend of jungle and tribal. It’s elegant, subtle and tasteful and it’s likely to become one of our most popular swimsuits over the coming weeks.
Little Kiss Janice is a more minimal design, but one that you can’t help but love. And look, that broach! The ever popular feature design at the centre of the bust, and this one also has a little loop underneath, too. The whole design is a success, and knowing Little Kiss’ reputation for swimwear that fits, this should look fantastic and very elegant when on.
So, you’ve seen all of the new Little Kiss designs we have available so far. You will definitely be able to find one that you like from these items. But be warned, because every one of them looks fantastic on, when you try it, you’ll definitely want to keep it and wear it every chance you get.
Dear readers.
If any of you are already subscriber’s to our tights blog, you’ll know that I will be resigning as author of this swimwear blog.
In a recent post on the tights blog, I explained that one of our employees, Kyle, has been writing a great deal of copy for our site, and I noticed that he has a great talent for writing.
So, after looking at some of his work, and knowing that he has excellent product knowledge, I have decided that he should write as the main author for this swimwear blog.
So, as of today, all of y0ur regular subscriptions will come from him. You don’t need to resubscribe, you will still recieve regular updates. So, keep reading everyone!
I love fashion, and I love quality, but most of all I love variety. Emar produce fantastic quality swimwear in a wide range of designs – here’s a roundup of their latest styles.
Few designers can match the array of patterns and col0ur schemes Emar have used this summer. Most manufacturers release a themed range (perfect for people looking for a certain kind of look). But if you want more choice from a company that delivers the best quality – there’s something for everyone in Emar’s Spring/Summer collection.
Emar’s swimwear varies from classic beach patterns, to tribal sequins, to chic and minimal:
For the classic beach look, Lidia is perfect. A tasteful blend of white and sea green, coral is a timeless favourite and is popular this summer.
Charlotte is another nature-themed item that would be the perfect buy for sunbathers. Floral cups and a deep and passionate red and black colour scheme make for a wonderful swimwear design.
Lilyis one of the strongest swimsuits I’ve seen this season. It’s bold, beautiful and brave. Minimal patterning has never gone out of fashion and Emar has released a stunning and strong swimsuit this season. It’s one of my personal favourites.
Emar has some beautiful tribal designs in this summer: Mia is a gorgeous number and the patterning around the midriff finishes the swimsuit really well. The colour is a winning feature, a popular shade this year and something I hope will also feature in the coming winter collections.
If you like Mia, but you’re looking for a bikini this summer, Emar Ruby is the perfect alternative. It keeps the tribal design, but adds that earthy scarlet colour. It brings out the beautiful gold patterns of the briefs and is a definite winner for summer.
Earthy colours are great for the hotter weather, but a cooling design is always popular. Jacinta has a calming gold and white colour scheme, and the autumn shades are perfect for relaxing by the pool. I’d recommend Jacinta for any sunbather or fashion-enthusiast.
Emar’s penultimate swimwear design is the Eloise. A simple, chic bandeau bikini that comes in bold candy pink, perfectly finished with embedded crystals – the perfect spring item. A great poolside bikini and a sunbather’s dream.
And this brings me to the last in our Emar swimwear range, but it’s definitely one of their best. Amelia Control Swimsuit is everything you need. It’s animal print, it’s floral, it’s paisley, it’s pink – Amelia has everything! Whichever pattern you choose will suit the design perfectly, and it’s a fantastic choice for this season. Animal is always a strong design and I’ve noticed paisley has been making a steady return to popularity, so this swimsuit is a fashion-friendly addition to your wardrobe.