Palm Beach Swim Week Takes To The Water Once Again
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
The shiny Teslas and Jaguars make their way down Worth Avenue, the most elite avenue in all of Palm Beach, past designer storefronts displaying customized collections for the season. Only minutes away, just over the bridge, in full view of the sparkling Intracoastal Waterway, is Lakefront Pavilion on South Flagler Drive where fashion is coming alive (August 25th through August 27th, 2017) to the sounds of the sultry surf and the wholesome beauty of designer swimwear and accessories so unique that they are bound to create a wave of desire for those with an insatiable appetite for fashion.
Palm Beach Swim Week 2017 is thrilled to present the 7th annual production of this most stylish event. Lovely Lilyana Lovela, President of Florida Fashion & Apparel Chamber of Commerce and the creator of Fusion Fashion and Art, has toiled tirelessly to make Palm Beach County stand out as an exceptional backdrop to trend-setting styles and to attract an international crowd eager to take part in this fashion event worthy of its gorgeous tropical paradise where the event got its start.
To kick off the event, a media reception was held on August 10, 2017, at a very warm and inviting pop-up gallery located on one of the main streets in downtown West Palm Beach known as Clematis Street, a street offering plenty of cultural charisma. Media and their guests enjoyed drinks, courtesy of event sponsor, Monkey in Paradise, while admiring fascinating artwork and receiving a preview of some of the designer looks in a small scale fashion show, similar to that which will be presented on the runway during the week. On the second floor, designers were available in an informal setting to answer questions and give the media a closer look at their collections, all the while smiling for the press that surrounded them.
Besides being able to enjoy individualized show-stopping collections in 18 dynamic fashion shows over the course of three days, Palm Beach Swim Week offers so much more to its audience. Swimwear for both men and women, eye-catching resort wear, silk scarves adorned with sophisticated artwork, flirtatious accessories such as parasols and handbags with their own discriminate story are all highlights of this great fashion event. Local designers are delighted to share their talent with a host of international designers hailing from Columbia, Jamaica and even Kazakhstan. Palm Beach Swim Week is eager to present rising and acclaimed exceptional designers, Anjelika Venalu, Nurgul Rysklova and Julia Skubiline. The names may sound familiar in the global fashion world as their collections have been shown at Russia Fashion Week and Kazakhstan Fashion Week.
Local retro-lifestyle artist, Sharon Tatem, returns once again to Palm Beach Swim Week with some of the most enticing artwork in the form of murals, inspired by the essence of the Palm Beach lifestyle. Scarves of luxurious silk in pleasing pastel colors are Sharon’s signature items along with totes that catch the eye, but, her accessories have been so well received that she has expanded into resort wear since the last time she presented at Palm Beach Swim Week. With a heart of gold, Sharon has enjoyed giving back to the community, to children’s organizations, through her mural donations. Tatem has many credits to her name, one being named artist of the Hamptons in 1998. Attendees of Palm Beach Swim Week will be wowed by the designer’s newest styles in crop and tank tops, fitted dresses and skirts, capri leggings and the very versatile dress made for the beach, the barbecue and even Sunday brunch. It is sure to be a conversation piece for its unmistakable beauty.
See what Miami is raving about as the illustrious collage artist, Kenny Ruiz of Magchop from Chicago takes to the world of swimwear, giving his bikinis a touch of collage skills to set them apart. Magchop Swim is a definite favorite of all the beach babes in South Florida and the perfect fit for this swim week. Besides being able to view his designs on the runway at this event, Magchop Swimwear has been featured in Low Rider Magazine, VIP TV, and Ruiz is the official sports memorabilia artist for celebrities such as Professional Trans Am Racer Ernie Francis Jr.. The artist/designer exhibits a deep and abiding charitable side by supporting charities such as Blooming with Autism, Liga Contra el Cancer, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Sheridan House Ministries. Additionally, Kenny Ruiz has worked with the 168 Film Festival in California called “Robin’s Glove”. He has been a featured artist for Planet Fashion TV, featured artist for 2015-16 Hispanic Heritage Art Exhibition of Broward County, published in Observer News, Florida Creative Living Magazine and is one of the sponsors of the 2017 Widescreen Film & Music Festival.
Stay in the shade and beat the heat using the most imaginative parasols designed by Delray resident, Anna Hess, with assistance from her daughter as they give us Le Parasol Umbrellas. Anna was a collector of umbrellas and turned that hobby into a passion as she began to create her own version of the umbrella in 2016, attracting a customer base desiring to keep cool in an extraordinary manner. It is a home-grown endeavor with all hand-stitching being undertaken in Florida. The employees have over 100 years of expertise collectively. Girls will just love the embellishments, women will be in awe over some of the trims on these parasols. Palm Beach Swim Week attendees relish in the itty bitty bikini themed show on August 26, 2017.
Passionate about her profession, Elena Carne’ is dedicated to remembering her country of origin, Venzuela, in all facets of her design career. The brand is known as Tepuy Activewear with Tepuy meaning ‘House of God.’ The comfortable pieces that make up each collection are durable, one-of-a-kind and high-quality, made for the ultimate workout. The details are all in the design with vibrant colors creating a sense of energy. What is more innovative than paneling and pockets on capris? All Tepuy Activewear merchandise is designed and manufactured in Americus, Georgia. Elena’s creativity spawned at an early age when she began sewing, using her mom’s sewing machine, in her bedroom. Her friends became envious of her self-created swimwear and they wanted her to make them swimsuits as well. Those were her humble beginnings in the design world. Elena received her fashion and design education in the United States, excelling in her major and earning ‘Magna Cum Laude’ in Fashion Design. She also received “Best Digital Portfolio and Best Sportswear Collection Award.” In 2016, she was named ‘Favorite Emerging Designer’ at the Atlanta Apparel Show and Tepuy Activewear was awarded the honor of Sumter County Small Business of the Year in 2016. Carne’ was one of 13 finalists at this year’s Belk’s Southern Designer Competition, being the first finalist to present an activewear line in the competition. Elena enjoys giving back to the community, as exhibited by Tepuy Activewear’s committment in Make-A-Wish Georgia.
On August 26, 2017, New York’s own Maria Elena Couture takes to the runway presenting handbags for every occasion. Maria is getting plenty of recognition as she will also be debuting her line of breathtaking handbags at New York Fashion Week on September 9, 2017. As the handbags dazzle under the lights of the runway at Lakefront Pavilion in West Palm Beach, the true flavor of Cuban culture is revealed which defines Maria as a person and as a successful designer. Choose the handbag that matches your personality. This brand is designed for the progressive woman on the go. In powerful colors of sky blue, lavish lavendar, electrifying green, with pearl straps and customized openings, these handbags are lightweight and perfect for work, play and even traveling. All merchandise is handcrafted and produced right here in the USA. Pair your clothing with this most versatile handbag.
This list of talented designers are just some of the many that showcase Palm Beach Swim Week. A presentation of seductive swimwear and coverups for men persuades you to come to the beach following Star Boy Swimwear. Young models steal the spotlight in Karen Troncoso-Howard of Palm Beach ‘Little B’s’ brand, presenting swimwear for children for the first time ever. Heading south to Palm Beach from New York for a second time is celebrity swimwear designer Kasia Roginska of Karo Swimwear, originally from Kraków. Famously featured in Sports Illustrated twice, this designer has made her mark on the swimwear industry. Her newest collection combines reversible women’s swimwear with glamour, functionality, and comfort. Fellow celebrity designer, Karen Nottage of Legacy K ,originally from Jamaica and calling Palm Beach home now, is also part of the lineup. Previously featured on WPTV and FOX for her award-winning gown, it gained fame at the Florida Sunshine Ball for the presidential inauguration. Legacy K will premiere the all new stylistic diva big and tall plus size brand named CAITLIN ARD “Irish for tall girls” using the slogan “Embrace your Height and Love your Curves”.
With so many designer submissions from around the world, the Palm Beach Swim Week producer has dubbed the grand finale show date, Sunday, August 27th as International Designer’s Show Day. Visit Palm Beach Swim Week for all your FAQ and be a part of Palm Beach’s stylish event. Here is a schedule of the shows:
Friday, August 25th:
6:00 p.m. ‘Anya Bikini’ – Women’s Swim (Miami)
7:30 p.m. Star Boy Swimwear – Men’s Swimwear (Orlando)
8:00 p.m. Hermilia Yves Couture – Resort (Palm Beach)
8:30 p.m. Sharon Tatem Fashion Design – Palm Beach Resort (Palm Beach)
9:00 p.m. Magchop Swim – Swimwear (Miami-Chicago)
Saturday, August 26th:
6:00 p.m. Karo – Women’s Swim (Krakow – New York)
7:00 p.m. Karen Legacy K Williams – Swimwear and Resort (Jamaica – Palm Beach)
7:30 p.m. Tepuy Activewear by Elena Carne’ – (Georgia)
8:00 p.m. Maria Elena Couture – Summer Accessories with Ladies Swimwear (New York)
8:30 p.m. Le Parasol – Swim Accessories with Ladies Swimwear (Palm Beach)
Sunday, August 27th:
International Fashion Designer Feature Shows
5:30 p.m. Little B’s – Children’s Swim and Summer Wear (Palm Beach)
6:00 p.m. Miss Ellen Swim – Women’s Swimwear (Ukraine – Palm Beach)
6:30 p.m. Victoria Bornelli – Women and Children’s Swimwear (Brazil – Palm Beach)
7:00 p.m. Anjelika Venalu – Swimwear and Resort Wear (Kazakhstan)
7:30 p.m. Nurgul Rysklova – Swimwear and Resort Wear (Kazakhstan)
8:00 p.m. Julia Skubilina – Swimwear and Resort Wear (Kazakhstan)
