Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim Spring/Summer 20122

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim showcases Miami’s leading swimwear designers

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim returns with its seventh year to celebrate all-things swim with five days of runway shows. The annual fashion showcase in Miami is the world’s leading swimwear designer platform and will debut Poko Pano and Luli Fama Spring/Summer 2012 collections at South Beach’s most illustrious venue, The Raleigh Hotel. In addition, Cosmopolitan en español will host their annual ‘Summer Splash’ event.

Swim Week isn’t just a fashion show, it brings together swimwear designers, buyers, photographers, models and party producers into one glorious and rather hectic five days of fashion and fun.

The activities begin on the July 14th with a sizzling runway show by Diesel and the not-to-be-missed Official Kick Off party presented by SKYY Vodka around the iconic Raleigh pool to usher in the week of shows and events. In addition to the opening, shows will include collections from:

• White Sands Australia
• Poko Pano
• Beach Bunny Swimwear
• Crystal Jin
• L*Space by Monica Wise
• Wildfox Swimwear
• Caffé Swimwear
• Dolores Cortés
• Mara Hoffman Swim
• Aqua Di Lara
• A Ché
• Natori
• Cia.Marítima
• Luli Fama
• Luxe by Lisa Vogel
• Lisa Blue
• Aguaclara
• Aquarella
• A.Z Araujo
• Kooey Swimwear Australia
• Nicolita
• True Religion

Schedule

July 14, 2011

7pm
Diesel/CabanaGrande
Diesel is a fashion industry legend. A pioneer in the world of denim and casual wear, it has always remained both outside and ahead of trends. Never forsaking its original DNA, it has evolved into an iconic global lifestyle brand.

8 -10pm
Official Kick Off Party Presented By SKYY® VODKA/ The Raleigh

July 15, 2011

6pm
White Sands Australia/ Cabana Grande
Sunny and sophisticated with signature prints and uber-chic silhouettes, Australian fashion and swim label White Sands epitomizes effortless glamour. From tiny Brazil bikinis to plunging maillots and effortlessly fluid coverups, White Sands pieces are undeniably sexy with a nod to the carefree lifestyle that is so Australian.

7pm
Poko Pano/Oasis
Sao Paulo, Brazil

8pm
Beach Bunny Swimwear/Cabana Grande
Beach Bunny Swimwear’s 2011 collection showcases the brand’s flirty-fun attitude and is a celebration of each woman’s own unique spirit. Spring boasted two bountiful collections, both modeled by Sports Illustrated and Guess beauty Kate Upton, appropriately titled Flower Child, featuring an array of floral designs and appliqué and La Dolce Vita, representing the sweet life with deep hues and hints of sparkle and lace. The heat is on this Summer with our bold and fresh Rock the Casbah collection, modeled by Maybelline supermodel Lisalla Montenegro, and inspired by the exotic colors and rich textures of Marrakech Morocco and boasts rich jewel tones of fuchsia, emerald green and amethyst purple.

9pm
Crystal Jin/Oasis
Created for modern style icons who appreciate dynamic design melded with a sexy minimalist aesthetic, Crystal Jin is a curated and refined collection of swimwear and cover-ups that define New York City’s effortlessly chic elegance. With an eye for distinction, Manhattan based designer Crystal Eley, has created an essential brand of swimwear that reflects her personal design statement.

10pm
L*Space By Monica Wise/Cabana Grande
For the past 10 years as Creative Director and Designer of L*SPACE Swimwear, my goal has been simple: to create sleek, cutting edge swimwear that celebrates a woman’s figure. From conception, my passion is to create trend-setting suits that appeal to a broad range of loyal fans and celebrities alike. I have been blessed with such fans as Lauren Conrad, Cameron Diaz, Gwen Stefani, as well as surf enthusiast and athletes dedicated to my brand.

11pm-1am
Wildfox Swim/Penthouse
Childhood friends Emily Faulstich and Kimberley Gordon are the creative force behind Wildfox. WILDFOX COUTURE is an American Vintage-inspired women’s knitwear brand. Combining great style and unsurpassed quality, Wildfox has quickly gained a following amongst celebrities, trendsetters and top retailers worldwide.

“This season Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim brings the most international roster of swimwear designers to date,” says Christina Neault, Executive Producer of the event for IMG Fashion. “As the swimwear industry continues to grow globally, we are thrilled to provide a platform for designers from around the world to show their collections. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim will be featuring designs from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, France, Peru and the United States.”

July 16, 2011

6pm
Caffe Swimwear/Cabana Grande
Caffé a Colombian luxury woman’s beachwear line born in 2004, has since developed into an international stylish brand present in the best stores in more than 38 countries. Caffé Swimwear is best known for elevating beachwear to high fashion status with its chic, sexy and undeniable stylish swimwear for women that love to glam their beach wardrobe. The designer Paula Saavedra is passionate about enhancing women’s beauty using inspiration from her South American roots, blended with the current trends in fashion to produce handmade swimwear with flare.

7pm
Dolores Cortes/Oasis
Dolores Cortés is a leading European swimwear company with more than 50 years’ experience in the swimsuit fashion sector and was one of the first companies created in Spain dedicated to swimsuit fashion.

8pm
Mara Hoffman Swim/Cabana Grande
Mara Hoffman, a New York based fashion designer, graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City and studied at Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design in London before launching her eponymous ready-to-wear collection in 2000. Born in Buffalo, New York, the former dancer got her big break when Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field stopped her on the street of New York City to complement her outfit. Field picked up Hoffman’s samples and sold them in her shop, House of Field. Not long after, a loyal client base was formed.

9pm
Aqua Di Lara/Oasis
Aqua Di Lara™ is the lusted after designer swimwear line by award-winning Creative Director, Reyhan Sofraci. With a passion for lingerie and high fashion, Sofraci has a talent for creating daring styles that are masterfully sewn using high-quality European fabrics and production techniques surpassing standards expected of designer swimwear. Aqua Di Lara™ has become synonymous with designer swimwear and in 2007, Sofraci was bestowed the Fashion Designer of the Year award by the prestigious Institut de Design Montréal for her internationally-acclaimed works.

10pm
A Che/Cabana
A.Ché is luxury, it’s sophistication, and it’s a lifestyle. A woman putting on a bra is merely a part of her daily life, without second thought she knows that the function of her bra is essential in supporting not only her body, but her confidence and comfort. When it comes to wearing a swimsuit, A.Ché maintains that same concept by offering bra cup-sized silhouettes using premium Italian fabric, fashionable styling, and superior fit.

July 17

12-6pm
Norma Kamali Swimwear/
High Bar Rooftop
1111 Collins Avenue
Norma Kamali has always been known as an innovative designer who follows her own path. A designer who has invented designs such as the Sleeping Bag Coat, a collection created from actual parachutes and packable, multi-use clothing, some of which can be worn up to 30 different ways. Her swimwear has influenced an entire industry each season since its launch in 1974. Her sweats collection acted as an influential force in launching the casual lifestyle way of dressing which is now seen around the world.

6-7pm
Red Carter/Penthouse
Known for sophisticated swimwear with a sense of edge, renowned designer Red Carter lends his contagious charm, unique design outlook, and years of industry experience to the wildly popular brand that bears his name.

7pm
Cia Martima/Cabana Grande
Created by the largest textile manufacturer in Brazil, CIA.MARITIMA is the result of the hard work and dedication of Henrique Rosset, who began The Rosset Group and opened up his factory in the 1930′s. His grandson, Benny, launched the CIA.MARITIMA Beachwear line in 1990. Now the hottest and most popular swimwear in Brazil, CIA.MARITIMA combines handwork, embroidery, crystal beading, and intricate lace.

8pm
Lulifama/Oasis
Luli Fama brings the ultimate celebration to the forefront with her collection entitled ‘La Vida es un Carnaval.’ Reminiscent of fun-filled street carnivals in Havana, the styles are sultry, playful yet sweet. Luli Fama continues the use of vibrant colors and embellishments including crystals and gold accents. Prints include paisley and mosaic to exotic animal and tribal patterns. The sexy silhouettes feature wavy stitched triangles, bandeaus and pushup underwire for tops and of course, Luli Fama’s signature ruched back bottoms to provide the illusion of the perfect derriere.

9pm
Luxe By Lisa Vogel/Cabana Grande
The quintessential Southern California beach girl, LUXE creator Lisa Vogel grew up surrounded by all things swim. Over forty years ago, her parents founded RAJ Manufacturing the swim industry’s leading house of fashion and the world of swimwear quickly became an innate part of her life. From dinner table conversations to testing out her parents’ newest bikini gems in the Pacific surf to modeling as a teenager for the company’s print ad campaigns, the business of swimwear has always been a constant in Lisa’s life, so it’s no wonder that she has spent most of her adult life designing and marketing some of the most recognizable swim brands in the world.

10pm
Lisa Blue/Oasis

July 18, 2011

5-6pm
Dineila Brazil/Penthouse
Neila Granzoti Rudden was born and raised in Sao Paulo, by her Brazilian and Italian parents. Elements of these two cultures mingle in the inspiration of her line of jewelry, swimwear, and lingerie. What began as a gesture of love, creating jewelry for her mother and sister as gifts, quickly became Neila’s passion. She continued designing jewelry, swimwear and then lingerie inspired by the natural beauty in which she was raised. Her Italian sensibility, the feminine values she learned from her mother and her vast travels also influence her work.

6pm
A.Z Araujo
Aguaclara
Aquaella Swimwear
Have Faith Swimwear/Cabana Grande
A.Z Araujo grew up in Boqueirao, Brazil working on his father’s farm at a very young age. Born in Rio de Janeiro, A.Z and his family moved to Boqueirao when he was Ten years old. A.Z starred in a very popular Brazilian soap opera in the mid 90´s. While acting A.Z befriended wardrobe artist on soap opera sets this is when he developed his taste for fashion and style. A.Z began working as an assistant to Hilda Marinho, a famous costume designer in Rio de Janeiro. A.Z learned about classic details and bespoke tailoring with some of the best fabrics in the world in the atelier of Ms. Marinho. A.Z Araujo collection will combine the sexiness of Brazil with the chic edgy presence of the New York consumer. A.Z will focus a huge part of the collection on swim wear mastering the Brazilian cut and feel.

7pm
Kooey Swimwear Australia/Oasis
The driving force behind Kooey’s success since its official launch in 2008, Nikki Silverthorne has combined her love of fashion with her business savvy to establish Kooey as an internationally recognized brand.

8pm
Nicolita/Cabana Grande
Nicole Di Rocco, established NICOLITA Swimwear in 2003. For the last seven seasons, Di Rocco’s designs and creative direction has built her brand by focusing on conservative sexy and curve conscious styles. Drawing inspirations from her family’s cultural Cuban roots, Nicole Di Rocco continues to create each bikini collection that is reminiscent of Cuba’s alluring 1940′s era. By blending vintage glamour with modern day silhouettes,

9pm
Sonia Vera Swimwear/Oasis

Five days of “invitation-only” shows and events will see over 12,000 journalists, photographers, buyers, and VIPs pass through two full runway venues: the Cabaña Grande and the Oasis, which provide an optimal show venue to over twenty designers. The Oasis will also be home to fully-decked cabanas hosted by Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim official sponsors as well as sexy and comfortable seating areas for the fun and fashionable to lounge while mingling with the industry’s elite.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Klasse Meets Lisa Vogel on Fashion Week Swim

In conjunction with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, Mercedes-Benz debuting the all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Klasse which hits dealerships this July.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Klasse coupe convertible made its first debut at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim by throwing the runway for 2012 LUXE by Lisa Vogel swimwear collection. It shows that Mercedes-Benz is continuing its tradition of honoring fashion designers, and appointed Lisa Vogel as the lucky receiver of this year’s “Mercedes-Benz Presents” distinction. Mercedes-Benz really knows that swimwear holds the essence of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Klasse coupe convertible which is themed to the trend of convertibility in design and functionality.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Klasse coupe convertible takes the luxury roadster experience to new heights featuring cutting-edge technology like Magic Sky Control, which allows the transparent glass roof to be darkened or lightened in seconds at the touch of a button.

“Lisa Vogel’s passion for exotic travels and fine art transcends beautifully into designs that offer convertibility to match every mood,” said Lisa Holladay, manager of brand experience marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA. “Her swimsuits and resort wear appeal to individuals who enjoy luxury and warm weather lifestyles, which is a natural fit with the newest 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Klasse coupe convertible in South Florida.”

Past Presents Designers include:

• Herve Leger by Max Azria
• Monique Lhuillier
• Badgley Mischka
• Trina Turk
• Narciso Rodriguez
• Red Carter
• CHADO Ralph Rucci

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim will take place in Miami Beach, Florida at The Raleigh from July 14-18, 2011.

July 16-19, 2011




Salon Allure



Salon Allure is the first and only tradeshow to house luxury swim, resort wear, and fabric brands all under one roof, during Miami’s famed Swim Week. The event is a departure from the conventional trade show, combining the latest collections from globally renowned designers with cutting-edge fabrics in a modern, oceanfront setting. The show also features innovative programs including daily cocktails hosted by industry notables, fashion presentations, and onsite luxury brand installations.



The Raleigh Hotel
1775 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 534-6300

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