Who’s Showing At Miami Swim…

by Alexandra Ilyashov

Greetings from Miami Swim, darlings! We’re taking in all the action of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim’s chicest shows and bashes, and dishing it up in our trio of issues this season. Talk about essential front row reading fodder, non? Meet the brands willing to bare it all on the runways of Miami Swim.
BY DENA SILVER


DOLORES CORTES: Dolores Cortés, designer
Where does your swim history begin?
Sixty years ago, my mother created the first elastic swimsuits in Spain!

What’s the strangest place you’ve ever worn a bikini?
In my own office, during the workday.

Which celeb would you love to wear your designs?
Olivia Palermo would make a perfect model.

What’s your beach snack?
Rosquilletas, which are slim salt-bread bars with oil, usually from Valencia, Spain.

What’s your beach body regime?
A ton of vegetables, fruit juices, and getting a lot of sleep. Also, forgetting about my problems and enjoying the summer is very important!
Showing Friday, July 18th at 6 p.m. at Cabana Grande.

 

MIKOH: Oleema Miller, designer
Beach or pool?
Beach, all day, every day.

Which mods would you like to walk in a Mikoh show?
Classic swim models like Heidi Klum or Tyra Banks would be amazing. They revolutionized the industry and set a new standard for what is sexy.

What are your Miami haunts?
The Webster for curated late-night shopping, Soho Beach House for a Moscow Mule, and Cecconi’s for the most delicious Italian food.

How many bikinis do you own?
Too many too count, but still not enough.

Where’s your favorite beach in the world?
Tavarua Island in the South Pacific.

What’s your SPF number?
The higher, the better, so SPF 60 is perfect!

What’s your new collection all about?
Our 2015 Collection is inspired by the culture and landscapes of the tiny islands strewn across the South Pacific. The prints, textures, textiles, and details are all a nod to the South Pacific lifestyle and the life that they lead.
Showing Saturday, July 19th at 7 p.m. at Oasis


POKO PANO: Paola Robba, founder and designer

What’s going on in your latest collection?
It’s a representation of my passion for Brazil. I express it throughout with the use of tropical fruits, historic symbols, and hand-painted prints.

What’s your SPF number?
I use SPF 30 on my face and SPF 15 on my body.

What’s your swim stroke?
Breast stroke.

Beach or pool?
The perfect day would be the beach in the morning and pool in the afternoon.

Who is the most iconic bikini wearer?
Ursula Andress.

What is your favorite beach in the world?
My backyard in Brazil.
Showing Friday, July 18th at 5 p.m. at The Raleigh’s pool

 

MARA HOFFMAN: Mara Hoffman, founder and designer
What were you thinking for Resort 2015?
The collection is all about color, brightness, and the evolution of the brand. It was inspired by my trip to Guatemala.

What’s your SPF number?
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 for my face and 30 for my body.

Beach or pool?
I’m definitely a beach girl.

South Beach or the Design District?
I can’t choose—I love both.

Who is the most iconic bikini wearer?
Marisa Berenson.

Where is your favorite beach in the world?
I love the beaches in Turks and Caicos, and Mexico is always beautiful. But for a quick getaway, my go-to is always Miami!

Favorite Miami activity?
I absolutely love lounging on the beach and eating Cuban food. But I also love to check out Pérez Art Museum Miami.
Showing Saturday, July 19th at 8 p.m. at Cabana Grande

 

RIPCURL: Mary Miller, VP of design and merchandising for girls
Who’s the Rip Curl girl?
The Rip Curl girl is always active. She’s an adventurer and enjoys travelling to the world’s most idyllic beach and surf destinations in her latest bikini.

What’s your next beach getaway?
I’ll be on a sailboat in Paxos, Greece.

What’s in the works for your first time at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim?
July is already an extremely busy time for us, and this adds a lot more to our plate, but it will be worth it to wow everyone with our most lust-worthy line of swim yet!

Which celeb would you love to wear your designs?
Cameron Diaz.

Do you have any memorable bathing suits from your past?
Back in the ’80s I had a peach mono-kini. It was everything!

What is your beach beauty regime?
Just throw on a trucker hat and get down there.
Showing Saturday, July 19th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Penthouse

BELUSSO: Kirsten Ehrig-Sarkisian, designer and creative director
What’s your SPF?
SPF 4 for the perfect Bain de Soleil tan. Along with a Belusso rash guard, of course!

What’s your swim stroke?
You’re more likely to find me at the edge of the pool relaxing.

How do you keep track of all your bikinis?
I have an entire section in my closet devoted to my favorite styles, organized by silhouette and color.

Who’s the most iconic bikini wearer?
The beautiful Brigitte Bardot, especially in the film And God Created Woman. She could do no wrong!

What’s your favorite pool in the world?
The infinity pool at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes. It’s so elegant and historic.
Showing Sunday, July 20th at 7 p.m. at Oasis

SINESIA KAROL: Sinesia Karol, creative director
Where’s your favorite beach destination?
Praia da Costa, in Brazil, where I come from.

Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever worn a bikini?
Dubai in 1999!

Hardest part about Miami Swim Week?
I’ve found myself exhausted after casting over the past few years.

Which celeb would you love to wear your designs?
Sofia Vergara and Eva Longoria.

What’s your beach beauty regime?
I wear plenty of La Mer sunscreen, along with a little bit of lip gloss, and a ponytail!
Showing Friday, July 18th at 9:30 p.m. at Oasis

MEEGAN ELIZABETH HAWAII: Meegan Elizabeth, owner and designer
How did you become a swimsuit designer?
One morning I was lying in bed, and I had the most amazing daydream about becoming a swimwear designer. Everything flashed before my eyes as if it were all laid out for me, so I set out to make my dream a reality.

How will you spend the plane ride from Hawaii to Miami?
It’s my first trip to Miami, so I will most likely buy the whole plane a glass of champagne and toast to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim!

What’s your tropical getaway strategy?
I’ve been island-hopping a lot this last year; Kauai, Fiji, Maui, and the Big Island. My next island hop will either be to Molokai or Lanai.

Strangest place you’ve ever worn a bikini?
A nightclub!

What is the weirdest bathing suit you’ve ever owned?
It was a onesie that had large, realistic-looking fruit all over it. It was a little scary.
Showing Sunday, July 20th at 7:30 p.m. at the Penthouse

SUBOO: Sue Di Chio, creative director
What’s your SPF number?
I actually have a special sunscreen cosmetic case that I take with me wherever I go, so I’m always prepared! For my face I use zinc, for shoulders and chest it’s SPF 30, and for the rest of my body I use SPF 15.

What’s your swim stroke?
Does snorkeling count?

Beach or pool?
Beach! Give me a paddleboard and I’m good to go.

Which model would you love to walk in your show?
I’m obsessed with Izabel Goulart.

How many bikinis do you own?
I’ve lost count, so now I’m starting to collect one-pieces.

Who is the most iconic bikini wearer?
For us Aussies, it has to be Elle Macpherson!
Showing Sunday, July 20th, at 9 p.m. at Oasis

LULI FAMA: Luli and Augusto Hanimian, designers
Tell us about your most recent collection!
Augusto Hanimian: Our 2015 collection is entitled “Miami Nice,” which is a tribute to our city.

Aside from swimsuits, what else does Luli Fama offer?
Augusto: Over the last four seasons our collection has included resort wear, and in 2015 we‘re taking it a step further. We’re adding dresses, pants, and caftans in every group of the collection!

Where’s your next beach getaway?
Luli Hanimian: I would love to go back to the Exuma Islands in the Bahamas.

Strangest place you’ve ever worn a bikini?
Luli: In my office. I’m constantly trying on new styles!

What’s the hardest part about prep for Swim Week?
Luli: Having everything ready in time and putting a hold on the creative side, since we love to add new pieces up until the very last minute!

How do you approach beach beauty?
Luli: I wear a sunscreen with high SPF on my face and chest, and a tanning lotion with bronzer on my body.
Showing Sunday, July 20th at 8 p.m. at Cabana Grande

MAAJI: Juliana Londoño, head designer
How do you get fit for bikini season?
I’m a Crossfit newbie, but I’m loving it!

What’s your must-have beach accessory?
A camera! We’re addicted to capturing summer moments.

Would you ever wear Birkenstocks or Tevas to the beach?
Definitely Birks. They’re a classic and still really rad.

Which piece in the collection are you coveting for yourself?
One of my favorites is an underwire trikini with lingerie-inspired elastics in acid orange and equestrian prints. Its silhouette is really friendly for any body type.

What’s going on in the latest collection?
We’re certain our mermaids are going to love this one—it will be full of magical animals and characters, new types of fabrics, and new shapes and prints, called Royal Riders.
Showing Saturday, July 19th at 9 p.m. at Oasis 

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