“Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim is the leading platform globally for designers and swimwear brands to showcase their collections to the world, and we are excited to celebrate our talented roster of designers,” said Christina Neault, Executive Producer of the event. “We believe that the response from the design community represents the strength of swimwear as a growth market around the world and the important role this event plays in the industry.”

The week kicks off with a runway show by Trina Turk and opening party on the 15th, followed by four consecutive days of shows featuring collections from White Sands Australia, Beach Bunny Swimwear, Dolores Cortes, Swell Suits Miami featuring Naila and Park & Ronen, Ed Hardy Swimwear, Crystal Jin, Swimwear Anywhere, Mara Hoffman Swim, Poko Pano, True Religion Swimwear, Aqua di Lara, Red Carter, Cia.Marítima, Luli Fama, Caffé Swimwear, Nicolita, Marysia Swim, Lisa Maree, Aquarella Swimwear, Lisa Blue, Kooey Swimwear Australia and Tyler Rose.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim is presented annually at Miami Beach’s historic hotel, The Raleigh. 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. This “by invitation only” event features the top swim designers from the US and abroad showcasing Collections in two runway venues, the Cabaña Grande and the Oasis, as well as The Raleigh’s Historic Pool and Penthouse which will provide spaces for designer cocktails and presentations. All venues can accessed via the event lobby on Collins Avenue at 18th Street.

Mercedes-Benz, the event’s title sponsor, is joined by American Express®, DHL, MAKE UP FOR EVER, TRESemmé, Clarisonic Sonic Skin Care, The Raleigh, Ruffino, Ocean Drive Magazine, California Apparel News Waterwear and Getty Images.

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The week began with Bohéme Boutiques’ poolside presentation and the official kick-off party. Over 12,000 attendees enjoyed the five days of shows from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim newcomers Caffé Swimwear, Marysia Swim, Crystal Jin, Aqua Di Lara, Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer: L*Space by Monica Wise, Tori Praver Swimwear, Mara Hoffman, White Sands Australia, Vitamin A and V Del Sol. Returning designers included Tibi, Red Carter, Cia.Marítima, Xtra Life LYCRA®, Luli Fama, Ed Hardy Swimwear, Poko Pano, True Religion Swimwear and ANK by Mirla Sabino.

This seasons front row regulars from the world’s leading press, media corporations and retailers, were joined by celebrities  Nicole Trunfio (Make Me a Supermodel), Perry Reeves (Entourage), Gilles Marini (Sex and the City), Kelly Killoren Bensimon (Real Housewives of NYC), Adam Greggory (90210), Whitney Port (MTV’s The City), Olivia Palermo (MTV’s The City), Roxy Olin (Brothers & Sisters), Paige Sreenan, Ariel Stein, Anchal Joseph (America’s Next Top Model), Dina Manzo (Real Housewives of NJ), Jason Kennedy (E!), Catt Sadler (E!), Bravo’s Miami Social Cast Members, Jeff Donovan (Burn Notice), Jessica Rivera (Former Miss Latina Central Florida), Brooklyn Decker (Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model), Gretta Monahan, Jagged Edge, among others!

“Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim has become the industry’s premier platform to showcase Resort & Swimwear collections from around the world,” said Christina Neault, Sr. Director of Fashion & Brands at IMG Fashion. “We are so proud of all of our designers who participated this week with glamorous, sexy and saleable collections. They have made this our largest and most successful event yet.”

“The success of this season’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim provided the perfect backdrop to showcase our newest vehicles,” said Lisa Holladay, Brand Experience Marketing Manager at Mercedes-Benz USA. “The event draws a diverse group of people within the fashion community and beyond and it was great to see them embrace the design and styling of the all new E-Class sedan and coupe”

This season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer, L*Space by Monica Wise, raised awareness for OmniPeace, through a special capsule collection shown as part of her runway show on Friday, July 17. The collection was created by L*Space to benefit OmniPeace, a humanitarian fashion brand. Connecting with the vibrant looks seen on the runway, the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge in the historic Raleigh Hotel was the result of collaboration with Eric Villency, President and CEO of Maurice Villency. The design embraced Art Deco motifs and utilized splashes of rich purples and oranges inspired by the natural light and color palettes of South Beach. During the week, the Star Lounge was the destination for celebrities, VIP’s, press and Mercedes-Benz customer guests. Beyond the Star Lounge and the runways, three of the newest editions in Mercedes-Benz’s own collection were presented, the 2010 E350 Coupe and the E350 Sedan in front of the main tent and on display poolside for the first time in South Florida, the 2010 E63 AMG.

This season Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim also introduced its first interactive application. Now, fashion afficionados who couldn’t be poolside or at the runway can get their front row access to the hottest swimwear  shows directly on their iPhone or iPod touch. The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim application is available now for just $0.99 in Apple’s App Store,and features demand video highlights and photographs from each of the designer shows and presentations.

Mercedes-Benz, the event’s title sponsor, was 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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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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“All of us here at IMG Fashion are proud to provide designers the best production and most effective opportunity to present their collections in this tough economic climate,” said Christina Neault, Senior Director of Fashion & Events. “Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim prides itself on offering a global marketing opportunity along with first-class production capabilities, helping each designer maximize their exposure to the world’s leading swimwear press and buyers.”

“Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim continues to distinguish itself as the premier swimwear and resort fashion,” said Lisa Holladay, Mercedes-Benz USA Brand Experience Marketing. “This season we look forward to an exciting show from our Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer L*Space by Monica Wise, hosting guests in our Star Lounge designed by Maurice Villency and the poolside debut of the new 2010 E 63 AMG, the newest edition to our own collection.”

From July 15-19, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim will host nearly 20 designer runway shows, almost half of which will be showing their collections in Miami for the very first time. In response to the demands of the fashion industry, this season will introduce various nontraditional opportunities for designers to present their collections both on and off the runways.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim opens with an official kick-off party on July 15th, followed by four consecutive days of shows and presentations featuring collections from 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, Ocean Drive Magazine, Miami.com, California Apparel News Waterwear and Getty Images.

Further details and announcements on this event will follow.

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