South Beach Hosts Salute to Swimsuits

Suit up: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim makes a splash July 15 through 19.

Paris has haute couture, New York has designer collections and Miami has—what else— a salute to swimsuits. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim dives in at the Raleigh Hotel July 15 through 19. 

Expect Brazilian-bodied models in bandeaus, cutouts, triangle tops and very baring bottoms. So how does this differ from South Beach every other day of the week? The show features some of swimwear’s top designers showcasing the suits you’ll be craving when summer 2010 sets in.

Plus, like any good showcase to hit South Beach, they’ll be enough bikini-fueled fetes for you to ogle until your eyes are sore.

The week officially kicks off on Wednesday with a pool-centered party at the Raleigh. And the first designer, TIBI, takes the stage the following evening at 7 p.m. The show concludes three days later with a V Del Sol finale and after party. What happens in between is where you’ll want to be and what you’ll want to see.

DESIGNERS TO KEEP YOUR EYE OUT FOR: File under things you don’t want to miss, True Religion debuts its 2010 collection Friday night in the Raleigh’s Cabana Grande. They’ll be something for the ladies and the gents, and if it’s as good as its jeans, we’re sure you’ll have something to pray about.

L*Space by Monica Wise is this season’s “Mercedes-Benz Presents” designer, which means it’s the show everyone will be fighting to get into. The line will debut a capsule collection with partner OmniPeace, a fashion brand that pays it forward by donating 25 percent of proceeds to charities dedicated to ending poverty in Africa by 2025. With Africa at the heart of its cause, L*Space by Monica Wise embraces the country and its culture with coconut and bone-like details throughout the line. Splashing around in the surf for a cause is so environmentally awesome for 2010. 

If you’re lucky enough to weasel your way into the tents, clamor as close as you can to the front row for Mara Hoffman on Saturday at 6 p.m. The collection promises to be otherworldly.

Love it (which many of us do) or hate it (which many more of us do), Ed Hardy is debuting his 2010 swim collection at the shows Saturday night at 7 p.m. From bedazzled tattoos or whatever the line’s latest incarnation will be, we’ll expect to see it plastered on airbrushed hourglass models on the backside of buses stopping and going all over Miami very, very soon.

After a week of intense swimsuit spying, you’re going to need a dose of vitamins to keep up your energy. Try out Vitamin A’s resort 2010 collection Sunday at 7 p.m. for a bikini boost. 

POOL PARTY PEOPLE: There may be just under 20 designers showing at the Raleigh this year, but there will be plenty more making a splash around town. Expect every hotel with a pool to put together a soiree with swimsuits somewhere in the mix. Some of those that promise not to disappoint are Chloewww.chloe.com/#en’s 2010 collection at W South Beach’s Grove garden Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Look for all the sex appeal and charm of the line complete with cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose—fashionable and flavorful.  

Get in line now for InsideFashionWorld.com’s trio Wednesday at Plunge at The Gansevoort South. The show features futuristic fashions from KEVA by Keva J, cover-up cravings courtesy of Liza + Tara Resort Wear and Tyler Rose Swimwear for skimpy swimsuits so cute you’ll start dieting right there on the spot. Giving the show true Miami spirit, the suits will be modeled by Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders. The party starts at 10 p.m.—rah, rah.     

On Friday, head back over to the W South Beach where Shay Todd gets totally awesome with ‘80s-inspired swimwear at newly opened Wet. Keep this in mind, new hotspot plus famous designer is sure to equal celeb sightings left and right.

Booze and bikinis go hand-in-hand, with an umbrella drink, of course. Tommy Hilfiger South Beach serves up a little of both and tosses in a swag bag complete with beach essentials Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. 

Take a break from South Beach on Sunday with a trip to the W Fort Lauderdale for Lila Rivera’s Amaya Swimwear line. The look is all about strategically placed cut-outs, which makes for a great show and tell. Considering you’ve seen a lot this week, we’re sure you’ll have plenty to share.

Contact Us