Interview with Patreece Bothera

Intro by Pablo Starr

One of our favorite shows this Miami Swim Week was Duskii: a very on-point collection produced by SwimMiami. Duskii has carved out a niche for itself as a high-fashion brand that’s also water sports-ready.

Inspired by a love of fitness and fashion, founder Patreece Botheras set out to create activewear collections that are as functional as they are chic.

Crafted using the highest quality neoprene, Duskii offers the seasoned paddler, swimmer, surfer, diver, sailor or lounger mix-and-match suits and separates that are simultaneously light, warm, thin, supple and stretchy. Built to be loved and to last, each Duskii piece provides varying levels of thermal comfort while flattering and sculpting all body shapes. Duskii takes the ocean-loving girl to previously unmet levels of “Bond girl” status. Our prediction is she’ll like it there.

Interview by Kyleigh McCollam
(C’est Le Style)

Q: What made you want to design swimwear?

My love and passion for the ocean. I love to surf; I love to paddleboard. And at the time I decided to create Duskii I couldn’t find anything that was fashionable yet functional, and so the journey and the research began.

Q: You have a bit of a tomboy side to you, like me. So you get the best of both worlds. You can be girly but also active. What makes Duskii different or unique?

From the perspective of having active swimsuits. So you can still be funky, fashionable, and stylish, but you can go into the ocean and go under a wave and your clothes aren’t coming off. They have that sporty element, but they also have that high-fashion element, as well.

They have a sporty element, but also a high-fashion element

Q: Where do you find inspiration, and what inspired this collection?

Hawaiian holiday. So think fun pops of color, and tropical palms. Just a real happy, fun collection. It’s for the resort girl, and the girl who loves to get active. In happy colors that make you look as good as you feel.

It’s for the resort girl, and the girl who loves to get active

Q: They look like they fit very well, and they’re very flattering.

They do. And that’s what I love. Even when we were doing the fittings for the show, all the girls were trying them on and saying, “Oh my god, they feel amazing.” And then I’ve done my job, because that’s what I want. I want a customer to put on a suit and feel fabulous.

Oh my god, they feel amazing

Q: I think you definitely achieved that. And what is your favorite swimsuit from this collection and why?

I love them all. I love the hammock and the high-waisted bottoms, but it depends on what I’m doing. If I’m going to the beach, or sunbathing, I’m going to wear a lot less. If I’m going surfing, I wear a tank suit.

Q: Do you ever encourage people to wear them going out, with a pant?

Absolutely! Beach to bar, that’s what we’re all about. So we have girls wearing them sarongs, with cut-off denims, wearing a skirt. And it takes you out.

Beach to bar, that’s what we’re all about.

Q: Define the ultimate Duskii girl. Who is she, and what is she like?

She’s fun, and wants to look as good as she feels. She’s a lover of the ocean. She’s a water girl.

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Stay tuned for our full coverage, coming soon.

Learn More

duskiiactive.com
Miami Swim Week

With love,

FWO

Cubanismo at Luli Fama

Luli Fama’s co-founders and designers, Luli Hanimian and Augusto Hanimian, were inspired by all things Cuba for the collection; the people, the culture, the architecture, and the beaches – all with a signature Luli Fama twist. On the runway, the looks were styled with an assortment of Chinese Laundry footwear.

On Saturday, July 22nd, 2017, the 2018 swimwear collection, called “Viva Cuba,” came to Miami Swim Week, marking the brand’s 10th consecutive runway show. The collection showcased 73 looks that were bold, bright, feminine, and fun.

 
Luli Fama

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(Photos: Fabiano Silva/Getty Images)

Key trends included cut outs, high leg cuts, lacing, bright prints, island neutrals, and flirty details, as well as a number of ultra-sexy pieces.

The show’s official after party was held the The Red Room at The Shore Club and saw the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition top 15 girls dancing the night away!

Says Luli, “Cuba is a gem in the Caribbean with so much untouched beauty and has such a happy atmosphere. It served as the perfect inspiration for the new collection. Being from Cuba myself, it has always inspired our designs, however this year, we really went deeper into my roots.”

Being from Cuba myself, it has always inspired our designs

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Learn More

lulifama.com

With love,

FWO

ACACIA at Miami Swim Week

Designed by Naomi Acacia Newirth, the ACACIA line is inspired by her love of travel and the Maui beaches she grew up on.

ACACIA has also established itself as a major celebrity-loved brand, with fans including Beyoncé & Blue Ivy, Kim Kardashian West and North West, Kourtney Kardashian, Kate Hudson, Vanessa Hudgens, Emily Ratajkowski, and Joan Smalls.

On Saturday, July 22, 2017, ACACIA debuted their 2018 swim and ready-to-wear collection at Miami Swim Week and the 1111 Garage in Miami, Florida.

 
ACACIA Swim 2018

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(Photos: Jason Koerner, Getty Images)

Naomi began sewing her own swimsuits at a young age in hope of creating the perfect bikini. After getting a taste of the endless design opportunities she found while traveling in Bali, and graduating with a fashion degree in Merchandise Marketing, Naomi created ACACIA.

Throughout the years, ACACIA has stayed true to their aesthetic and signature style, fusing the perfect low-cut Italian bikini and classic Brazilian fit.

ACACIA fuses the perfect low-cut Italian bikini and classic Brazilian fit

This new collection will encompass everything from fun, bold, colorful florals, to sophisticated, timeless stripes and animal prints, all while celebrating the female form. This casual mix is woven into every style, which makes ACACIA stand out in a league of its own.

To ensure all ages have the opportunity to wear ACACIA designs, Naomi expanded the brand by producing a children’s line named Acacia Honey.

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Learn More

acaciaswimwear.com

With love,

FWO

Interview with Gwyn Prentice

As Miami Swim Week approaches, we continue to explore the swimwear marketplace, and get to know some of the designers behind some of today’s hottest swimwear brands. Today we meet Gwyn Prentice, the designer behind Helen Jon Designer Swimwear.

Q: How did you start Helen Jon? How did the brand get its name?

I could never find anything I was comfortable wearing and I thought other women might feel the same way‎. I always felt somewhat naked in swimsuits — like I was running around in my bra and underwear and was envious that men could basically wear shorts to the beach and pool.

I always felt somewhat naked in swimsuits

So I started wearing men’s swim trunks and finding swim tops to match. After doing that for 15 years, I thought I might have something to offer other women who felt that they couldn’t find swimwear that they loved and actually wanted to wear. I now wear Helen Jon swim shorts and surf pants to the beach and pool and feel comfortable and confident.

I started wearing men’s swim trunks and finding swim tops to match

Finding a name for the brand was difficult since we wanted a name with sincere meaning. Coming up with Helen Jon wasn’t immediate but, when we finally did, it was a eureka moment and the search ended there.

Helen was the name of my beloved great aunt who, herself, did not have children but my sister and I called her “grandma” and she called us her “grandchildren.” She exuded style, had a true way of dressing to perfection, and always added just the right accessory — a lot of love! She never cared when I would fall asleep on her lap and drool on her fur coat. “Jon,” was the term of endearment that my friend’s father used after her name to mean “dear.”  I thought together it was the best way to honor Helen and incorporate the beauty of the world.  

Helen was the name of my beloved great aunt

Q: Fit is a big deal for your brand. Why is it so important, and what else differentiates the brand from others in the market?

Fit is of the utmost importance to us since providing our customer with swimwear that makes her feel confident and beautiful is our top priority. If a fit is flattering to a woman’s curves and stays in place on her body, she can relax and focus on what she is doing, not what she looks like. We want our customers to enjoy their time on the beach or by the pool free from self-consciousness!

Fit is of the utmost importance to us

We differentiate ourselves by marrying great coverage and supportive fit with elegant prints and silhouettes. We know our customer wants it all — flattering fit, constructive support, soft fabrics, beautiful prints and solids, silhouettes that are classic and chic – and we strive to provide that! And choices too – if she wants a lot of coverage or protection from the sun, she can wear our boardshorts, surf shirts, or surf pants; if she is looking for less coverage but still supportive fit, our string bikini is perfect.

Q: Who designs your swimsuits and other clothing, and where are they made?

We have a small team but we value each other’s opinions and listen closely to what each team member has to say. One of the things I am most proud of is the open dialogue our company values and fosters. I want to hear every opinion—from our Helen Jon employees to our customers.  Open communication is essential to create great products and I take every comment seriously!

Helen Jon is proudly manufactured in Los Angeles. This keeps us in very close contact with our factories, which allows us to carefully watch the quality of our garments and to also develop supportive relationships with the factory owners and workers. We have open discourse with our factories and do our best to give them business during their slow season but also control our calendar so as not to overload them during their busy season.

It is gratifying to know that we are supporting local employment in California!

Q: What did you do prior to Helen Jon? What passions or inspirations are behind the brand?

Before Helen Jon, I spent my time volunteering for non-profit organizations with a focus on women and children. I volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem before attending Columbia Law School and then, afterward, while living in Kansas City, served on the boards of the Women’s Employment Network, Truman Medical Center’s Women’s Health Partnership, CASA, and the Child Protection Center.

Before Helen Jon, I spent my time volunteering for non-profit organizations with a focus on women and children

My passion has always been on promoting women, and this passion was the driving force behind developing a swimwear line that addresses the needs of women and gives them choices on how much to cover (or not cover!) their bodies.

Q: Tell us about your partnership with Women’s Foundation for the month of July! Do you have any upcoming charitable partnerships for this year?

We are thrilled about this partnership since Women’s Foundation empowers women by promoting equity and opportunity for women of all ages. Specifically, during the month of July, we are donating 10% of all web sales to their Appointments Project, which helps get women appointed to boards, commissions, task forces, and committees at the local, state, and national level in order to ensure that women are in positions of decision-making power. We are excited to see all the directions where our partnership will take us!

during the month of July, we are donating 10% of all web sales to their Appointments Project

We are also ecstatic about our partnership with Glam4Good, a non-profit founded by Mary Alice Stephenson. The organization focuses on harnessing the healing power, joy, and attention fashion and beauty bring to bolster self-esteem, promote positivity, honor courage, and help everyday people in need.

We have created a capsule collection that will raise money specifically for Glam4Good’s breast cancer initiatives. They have been wonderful to work with and we are enthusiastic about collaborating with them in the future!

We have created a capsule collection that will raise money specifically for Glam4Good

For us, partnering with agencies like Women’s Foundation and Glam4Good brings us to our roots – celebrating and supporting women!

Q: You’ve already expanded beyond swim wear to activewear, resort wear, and accessories. What do you see as the future of Helen Jon?

We strongly feel that our future continues to be in providing the best and most thoughtful swimwear we can possibly provide. We continue to listen to our customers to meet their needs and we expect that to continue! But, even as our focus continues to remain on swimwear, we feel that our design philosophy of providing simple, supportive, and chic garments extends easily to other areas besides the beach and pool. For example, our activewear is very simple, yet extremely flattering, as is our resort wear. We hope to continue to expand our offerings in the active, resort, and accessory markets.

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Learn More

helenjon.com
glam4good.com

With love,

FWO

Lolli Swim Resort 2018

Known for its ultra-feminine and fun swimwear, Lolli Swim debuted its Resort 2018 collection, Stay Golden, as the official kickoff show at Funkshion Fashion Week Miami to a full house. The launch included the reveal of the brand’s first-ever lingerie and footwear line, and a collaborative capsule collection with model and influencer Sofia Jamora.

 
Stay Golden Girls

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Founded and designed by Vy Nguyen, Lolli Swim’s Resort 2018 collection is inspired by classic California beach babes, golden tans, cotton candy skies, and the sweet taste of summer.

To capture her playful spirit, Lolli partnered with the viral art installation Museum of Ice Cream, to provide the first 200 guests glitter cotton candy.

Lolli partnered with the viral art installation Museum of Ice Cream

“I loved watching Gidget and all the beach bombshell movies with my sister growing up,” said Vy Nguyen, Lolli Founder and Designer. “The music, the style of hair and just everything about that era inspires me. Lolli is always very flirty and feminine. This Resort 2018, we’re doing a mix of vintage florals with blush and nude tones, and also playing with new textures and fabric from shiny rib to soft velvet.”

I loved watching Gidget with my sister growing up

The Resort 2018 elevated its take on vintage florals through hand-embroidered floral accents for added texture and attention to detail. Feminine-flattering silhouettes include cut-out one-pieces, bandeau with shoulder tie tops, demi underwire bikinis and one-pieces for added retro flair, as well as classic string bikinis ranging from mid to minimal coverage. Fabrics include a mix of delicate appliqués, hand-embroidery, soft velvet, and shiny rib.

Fabrics include a mix of delicate appliqués, hand-embroidery

Lolli surprised the crowd with the reveal of its first-ever lingerie and footwear line. This is the brand’s first-time diving into the apparel industry outside of swim, accessories and resortwear. Staying true to its namesake, Lolli’s lingerie is delicate and feminine, designed to complement women with a flirty edge in a range of nudes to hot and pastel pinks. Detailed with lace, dainty bows and ruffles the line debuts with panties, bras and a nightie for women. Lolli Lingerie is slated to release for pre-spring in January 2018.

This is the brand’s first-time diving into the apparel industry outside of resort

The runway also included the reveal of a capsule collection with Sofia Jamora, available for pre-sale now through Miami Swim Week exclusively at ilovelolli.com. Worn and modeled by Sofia herself, the Sof for Lolli Collection embodies the long-time Lolli lover’s favorites with reversible black & nude rib and peach & lavender rib sets ideal for tanning, worn as a bra & panty set or just lounging at the beach.

Lolli’s footwear collection includes a range of classic thong sandals, metallic slides, and glitter jelly mules. Colors inspired by the Stay Golden concept include shades of pink, tans, and golden browns for easy-to-wear sandals for beach or street.

Lolli’s footwear includes sandals, slides, and mules

Looks down the runway were conceptualized by Nguyen to play-up the collections’ femininity with luminous makeup, including glitter, pastel hues, and beach wave hair with delicate braid details.

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Learn More

ilovelolli.com
Miami Swim Week

With love,

FWO

Celebrating Individuality at Hot-As-Hell

In its third season, Hot-As-Hell brought its signature sass and philosophy to Miami Swim Week. Last night, following the larger trend, their show celebrated diversity, featuring women of all shapes, ages, and ethnicities.

The collection focused on the idea of “paradise found:” that Rousseauian notion (by way of Milton) of “nobility in nature,” that has inspired everyone from Henry David Thoreau to the hippies of the ’60s.

 
Paradis Trouvé | Paradise Found

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The show began with Chantel Jeffries announcing the collection, and inviting the audience on the journey through “paradise found,” followed by a dynamic lyrical dance performance, in a moment that had guests who were turned away by the fire marshall pressing against the glass of the tent for a glimpse.

The show included a combination of ready-to-wear, swimwear, and lingerie. The collection moved through an array of color palettes inspired by natural elements juxtaposed with corsets and flowy lacy pieces.

The show included a combination of ready-to-wear, swimwear, and lingerie

The brand’s signature machine washable lace was delicately layered with tiered ruffles and lingerie pieces that celebrated a woman’s individuality. Stand-out swimwear pieces included a suspender-clad, high-waisted corset bikini and an elevated animal print; and an ultra high-cut one-piece inspired by the idea of birds of a feather. The third theme of the collection centered around a print featuring Chinese characters the translated into Hot-As-Hell.

For the second season, child models stole the show, including the designer’s own daughters, who walked the runway in swimwear paired with pint-sized versions of their of 1-of-HAH-kind, up-cycled bombers jackets.

HAH’s 2018 collection was inspired by the origins of natural beauty — mother earth. The collection, Paradis Trouvé | Paradise Found, is symbolic of the brand’s roots in natural, ethical product for women.

Through eco-friendly design and manufacture, HAH proves it’s never too late to #startsomewhere, and that beautiful fashion can be ethical fashion. The brand focuses on using eco-friendly EFL swim fabric and an upcycling program, in addition to green manufacturing practices: in particular, digital printing of prints.

HAH proves beautiful fashion can be ethical fashion

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Learn More

hot-as-hell.com

With love,

FWO