Summary: Gideon Oberson’s Spring 2008 collection Brazilian-Bond Girls portrayed a sexy adventure to exotic locations to destinations such as Brazil, the Greek Isles and Belize.The array of bikinis, one-piece and cut-out suits featured strong, festive colors & cuts, while flowing floral colorful ponchos and pareos with a vibrant peacock featherprint design - that tied to the elbows and wrists - added a dose of show-stopping luxury. The goddess-like finale featured a model duo walking the runway in white feathered bikinis.
Color Palette: yellow and black, white, black, iris, brown, opal, black tulip print, floral print, terra print
Suit Details: On one-pieces- cut-out, bandeau, halter, high-neck, one-shoulder, deep-v Key Looks: halter cut-out one piece, terra print mesh dress, floral suit, black tulip bikini with caftan, floral ponchos, peacock print pareos, white feather bikins
Summary: Yes, Brazilians like Amir Slama know for bathing suits, but it was surprisingly the cover-ups that stole the show: eyecatching panels of navy, yellow & aqua layered vertically into a fabulously chic trapeze dress, and a jazzy Art Deco inspired version featuring the syncopated, swooping shapes of the era with a striking grey/lavender/coral combination. Pointy bullet breasts, high-waisted glamour girl two piece suits, and front panels embellished to the point of cascading down past the navel like a necklace all added up to swimwear less designed for swimming, and far more appropriate for life involving a cabana boy, diamonds & heels poolside, and actually wearing resort at a resort.
Color Palette: coral, white, black, aqua, yellow, navy, pale grey, deep grey, lavender, nude mesh, metallics, dusty purple
Textures & Details: heavily encrusted front panels, Art Deco influences, glamourous pin-up girl high waists, fabric panels layered vertically into trapeze shapes, point "bullet" breasts, metallics, shine
Key Looks: any & all of the trapeze coverups, glam two piece high waisted suits
Though Kristopher Dukes has a like for lucite that borders Hollywood Blvd.
street chic, she's crystal on what’s clearly the stuff of stripper’s
shoes is served successfully in petite portions, a la these Davis by
Ruthie Davis shoes.
Obagi C-Sunguard SPF 30 Contains proteins with flourphores and amino acids which emit light, making the skin seem to glow from within. Available at Obagi.com.
Remergent High Intensity SPF 30 is a long-lasting physical sunblock with DNA repair enzymes, Vitamins C & E, and broad spectrum Avobenzone that helps scatter UVA & UVA rays before they reach the skin. Available at RemergentSkin.com.
After hours spent frolicking in the surf and sand, the most unappealing thing on earth is putting heavy layers onto your sunscreen-slicked, sand-covered body. But if you're going out, there's still the dilemma of looking cute. Go for fun layering pieces that cover up without adding too much heaviness, in bright, happy colors - think citrus brights. Slip on some fun flip flops, eyecatching jewelry and a suitably bright tote & off you go. This is the season of mix-and-match, so go ahead, throw caution to the wind.
On a recent Vanity Fair cover, the femme fatales from the Desperate Housewives were posed like a posse of 50s bathing beauties in swim "costumes" straight out of a bygone era when glamazons like Esther Williams ruled the pool. Healthy, curvy and stunningly sexy, Ms. Esther gives great beach chic. To follow her example, think showing skin demurely rather than overtly (slight decolletage instead of full-blown Pam Anderson'esque cleavage & low cut legs), ruching in the right places, and, of course, accessories...lots & lots of accessories. And when you go for a dip, don a swim cap just like Esther used to - they not only look completely retro chic, your tresses will thank you in the long run.
Some options for channeling Esther Williams this season:
Beach bunnies always give good coiffure - a Pucci hairscarf at Net-a-Porter.com
Before swimming, comb in some heavy duty conditioner & then slip on a swim cap - like this one completely fab one from Speedo that tips its, er, hat, to the 50s. Available at ParagonSports.com (via AndreaHarner.com)
