New swimwear collections are splashy and daring

Tag : nylon stripe

By LISA ORKIN EMMANUEL
Associated Press Writer
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. | If you're going to wear swimsuits from the newTibi and Custo Barcelona collections, you're got to be comfortablewith making a real splash.
With bright colors, bold prints and attention-attracting contrasts,both fashion houses debuted their collections Friday night duringMercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim at the Raleigh Hotel.
At Tibi, designer Amy Smilovic went back to original prints thatshe made in Indonesia years ago, enlarging and placing them onunexpected parts of the bathing suits. She said she didn't want tocreate the repeat motifs seen on most bathing suits.
``It's very bold and strong colors, but mixed with really subduedand chic colors,'' Smilovic said. ``The inspiration is really theTibi girl ... We do not call her 'wallflower' at all.'' Flowers andvibrant colors are strewn throughout the collection. For example, apurple and pink flower looks like it's scattered on an orangebikini, so that half of the petals are visible in one area.
A strapless bikini top made of orange, purple and white was shownwith matching boy-shorts bottoms. A turquoise tunic is decoratedwith a shapes that look like waves. Smilovic said she mixed tealand turquoise with olive greens and browns; she also chose darkgreen, apricot and lots of bright colors reminiscent of the 1980s.
Only one simple swimsuit is included in the collection, a sleek,black, one-shouldered piece. Tibi also showed cover-ups to take thesuits elegantly from pool to party: A white beaded tunic and aburnt orange colored one-sleeved caftan, for example.
At Custo Barcelona, unusual textures and colors were mixed togetherto carry on the line's signature style.
``The essence is the Custo essence, the unusual mix of colors andfabrics,'' said Custo stylist Bernat Buscato. ``It'santi-matching.''
Burned-out velvet was a favorite, showing up on a turquoise andbrown bikini, and a green velvet bikini with pink lace and a bluestripe. A black nylon windbreaker also hit a similar note with itsvelvet trim.
``It's a little urban, for a city that has a beach like Miami, likeBarcelona, cities on the sea,'' Buscato said. One of the show'sproducers said expanding into swimwear is a way to reach newclients.
``It's a lifestyle that they are trying to create,'' said ChristinaNeault, associate producer of the event.
``Swimwear is a little more accessible.''