MAAJI

Colombian swimwear brand, Maaji returned for its second season with a perfect presentation of 56 awe-inspiring looks including women’s swimwear, men’s trunks and an exclusive peek at their Studio Collection featuring women’s active wear. It was a magical equestrian adventure through Maaji’s new ‘Royal Riders’ 2015 collection–the Derby theme was present throughout all elements of the show, from the custom runway backdrop to the superb styling of each model including equestrian riding helmets and crops, and gingham print jackets that accessorized the looks, evocative of race day. Head Designer Juliana Londoño and Lingerie Designer Nani Valenzuela incorporated bright colors and nude tones mixed with neon and pastels, floral patterns, photographic prints and contrasting piping. Structured swimsuits such as body-cons were front-runners this season and sports-inspired silhouettes were also favorites!

MARA HOFFMAN

Mara Hoffman’s Resort 2015 collection started with her recent travels to Guatemala, where she was inspired by the country’s beautiful people, art, textiles, culture and landscape-the iconic designer took these ideas to push the envelope in terms of design. The collection comes alive with vivid colors, sport-inspired shapes, as well as exotic patterns and animal prints. In a style true to her signature ingenuity, it was all about the details–intricate beading, marrying bold prints on one side of a suit with striking solids on the other, vibrant multi-colored fringe on maxi-dresses, and über-chic relaxed pants with a mash-up of her signature prints.

CLOVER CANYON

Clover Canyon looked south for their first Resort 2015 Swim collection at Mercedes Benz Swim Week. Their selection conjures up the rich visual atmosphere of South America, taking inspiration from its tropics, native cultures and Latin sensuality. This lively mix is elaborated through the increasingly expressionist Clover Canyon prints– trompe l’oeil digital images, traditional tribe line-work, painted prints and brilliant florals all worked together in ways that play with scale and emphasize the label’s inventiveness in graphic prints. The effect is an escapist joie de vivre. And there was a surprise element in footwear as well…the coolest poolside slides in dynamic matching prints really complete the experience of Clover Canyons vivid world of color and visual movement.

DOLORES CORTÉS

An Amazonian woman comes to mind in this aggressively bold collection as the first exotic model hit the runway in creative bikinis, one pieces and radically formed monokinis! The stunning tribal collection, blended together by a fusion of Aztec prints, bold graphics, fierce florals and metallic embellishments each adorned with an extravaganza of tortoise, leather and gold ornaments. Luxury swimwear at its’ best!

WILDFOX

Inspired by late 80s and early 90s fashion, Barbie, vintage Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues, and supermodels of the era, the Wildfox show featured a palette of pastel, ombre and neon hues mixed in with hamburger prints, gingham fabric and sporty zipper details on neoprene sets and high-leg one-piece suits. Also on the runway were lightweight rib cover-ups with color-changing inks and scratch-and-sniff smells, pastel terry cloth sets, and woven beach pants, dresses, rompers, and flowing maxi dresses.

FRANKIES BIKINIS

Frankies Bikinis’ collection is for the California/Hawaiian surfer girl, or for anyone who has a little bit of Baywatch Babe in them! Fun, simple and sexy bathing suits for the carefree beach girl. The runway was all about Southern California’s coast style in a feminine, flirty, and super-sexy pieces ready to be surfed in, tanned in or to actually SWIM IN — ready for an invigorating day at the beach! Form=Function=Fabulous!

MESKITA

Born and bred in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Alexandra Meskita founded the Meskita brand in New York City. The collection is strong, glamorous, and confident. Meskita’s Resort 2015 collection is filled with her signature crochet, silk, and swim styles. The designer took inspiration from the natural vibrations and waves of the world in fresh new prints and deep oceanic colors; the combination of exotic, flowing patterns with detailed lines represents the bold nature of the Meskita woman.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week/IMG Fashion once again brought the glamour of the runway to the shores of South Beach, positioning Miami as a fashion hotspot! ■