Designs from 10 newcomers will be presented on the runways alongside prominent swimwear designers and brands such as Tibi, ANK by Mirla Sabino, True Religion Swimwear, Ed Hardy Swimwear, Poko Pano, Xtra Life LYCRA®, Cia.Marítima and Luli Fama.

Photo by Angelo Cordero of the 2009 ANK Swim wear collection

“We are pleased to welcome so many new faces to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim,” said Christina Neault, Senior Director of Fashion & Events for IMG Fashion. “Press, retailers, fashionistas and VIPs will come together to celebrate our record-breaking season and the best swimwear from around the world.”
This season, new specialty retailers and designers debuting collections include: L*Space by Monica Wise this season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents designer, Bohéme Boutiques, Caffé Swimwear, Marysia Swim, Crystal Jin, Aqua Di Lara, Tori Praver Swimwear, Mara Hoffman, White Sands Australia, Vitamin A and V Del Sol. Some of their inspirations are:

L*Space by Monica Wise, this season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents designer, is constantly in demand by Hollywood’s hippest stars. Cameron Diaz, Jessica Alba and the covers of dozens of magazines across the globe have featured Monica Wise’s delectable bikinis in stunning fabrics. Her fit cannot be beat in gorgeous mix and match prints and solids.

Bohéme Boutiques offers a way to step into Bohemia. With designer swimwear, cover ups and accessories, they are the only Key Biscayne boutique to carry Pucci, Catherine Malandrino and Missoni Sport.

Caffé Swimwear designer Paula Saavedra combines deep passion, and her South American roots with current fashion trends, and produces swimwear with an exotic flare. She has elevated the bathing suit to high fashion status with chic, sexy and undeniable stylish swimwear for women.

Marysia Swim’s Maria Dobrzanska Reeves started her line after attending the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. A former ballerina, she debuted her swimwear collection in the summer of 2008, with the same precision and disciplinary skills she used in dancing.

Crystal Jin Eley attended Parson’s The New School for Design and chose to launch a swimwear line for two reasons, necessity and her outdoor roots. She never could find styles, colors and fabrics which matched with her personal taste and as a result has created her luxurious Crystal Jin swimwear line.

Aqua Di Lara’s award winning designer Reyhan Sofraci unveiled edgy and original high-fashion styles unlike anything seen before in the high-end swimwear industry in 2005. The line was created to satisfy the demands of his fashion conscious clientele. He combines aesthetic beauty, unique styles and comfort and quality.

Tori Praver Swimwear’s designer, Tori Praver grew up in Hawaii and began her modeling career when she was discovered at 13. Her active lifestyle of yoga, surfing and traveling, has served as inspiration for her collection which makes women feel comfortable, confident and sexy.

Mara Hoffman, an alumnus from Parsons School of Design, has designed collections which feature hand-dyed fabrics and original silk prints. Her inspiration comes from nature, her world travels and her fantasies.

White Sands Australia is an edgy new contemporary swimwear and resortwear line by designer Leah Madden. The collection, while glamorous with an eye to fashion, also makes a nod to the carefree Australian lifestyle.

Vitamin A designer Amahilia Stevens, an Art Center College of Design alum, combines her California roots and her background in fine art with her global, jet setting perspective. Amahilia’s bikinis are a personal obsession.

V Del Sol’s creative director and co-founder Veronique de la Cruz feels that true beauty is a state of mind and it shines from the inside out. From the beaches of Guadeloupe where she designed her own bathing suits, as a little girl, her collection offers sexy, soft swimwear with silky support, making women feel and look great.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim begins with a poolside show by Bohéme Boutiques and an  official kick-off party on July 15th, followed by four consecutive days of shows and presentations featuring L*Space by Monica Wise, this season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents designer, Tibi, Caffé Swimwear, Marysia Swim, Crystal Jin, ANK by Mirla Sabino, True Religion Swimwear, Red Carter, Aqua di Lara, Tori Praver Swimwear, Mara Hoffman, Ed Hardy Swimwear, White Sands Australia, Poko Pano, Xtra Life LYCRA®, Vitamin A, Cia.Marítima, Luli Fama and V Del Sol.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, presented at Miami Beach’s historic hotel The Raleigh, offers multiple venues, the Cabaña Grande, the Beachway and the Oasis, in addition to The Raleigh’s Penthouse event space. Over the course of five days, 12,000 journalists, buyers and VIPs will be in South Florida to experience the most elite swimwear event in the country.

Mercedes-Benz, the event’s title sponsor, is joined by American Express, DHL, LYCRA®, MAKE UP FOR EVER, The Raleigh, Conair, Bain de Soleil, Continental Airlines Inc., Peroni, Chambord, smartwater, Ocean Drive Magazine, Miami.com, California Apparel News Waterwear and Getty Images.

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