REVEL IN RED CARTER SWIM COLLECTION 2013
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine Nolan
One of the most delightful swimwear designers of our time is Red Carter. He is so full of energy and vitality and an enthusiasm that raises your spirit and your soul. As Carter was getting ready to show his latest swimwear collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2013 on Sunday, July 22, 2012, I was given the special opportunity to interview this brilliant designer. He was eager to speak about his latest collection combining the art deco reference using the neutral colors of black and white mixed with architectural body shapes and then jumping into more outlandish feather prints, disco balls and images of the disco era gone by translated into sexy swimsuits. Red Carter recently made the transition from Miami to New York and expresses that move through his collection.
Though he has had the good fortune to work with such great names as Oscar de la Renta and Victoria’s Secret, his true mentor as he looks back has to be Rosemary Brantley, one of his college advisors and a highly respected fashion designer herself as well as the winner of the “Inspiration Award” in 2005. Brantley was honored for her significant contribution to the fashion industry by the L.A. Fashion Awards. Brantley taught Carter at a young age that design is an art form and he is meant to be the storyteller, a power to transform audiences across the globe.
This collection is a magical creation giving the audience a clean classic look with halter tops, triangles and maillots and then moving into alluring pieces with beading and sequins creating an ‘attitude’. “Who is that woman, where did she get that gorgeous suit, who is the designer behind the look?” Fabrics shine with confidence. Maillots accentuate the hour-glass figure with open sides or tie front bodice closure and halter straps. A touch of ruffles gave us a glimpse into the normality of a pretty and confident woman beaming with grace and glory. Skirted hipsters were worth a big hurrah! Another fabulous look was the urban safari bandeau and hipster and the urban safari racer-back and side-tie with deco cover-up. Perhaps a sweet diversion was the tribal print which added color and class to the collection. Adding subliminal serenity was the birds of paradise monokini.
But then before our eyes, the runway lit up the night with some of Red Carter’s own whimsical favorites; rainbow patterned suits that light up as the flash of the camera catches them in just the right light. Sheer rainbow cover-ups are a must for the entire finished look. Rich colors such as gold and metallic started the party. Black suits glistening with silver and large cuff bracelets put us under a tantalizing spell.
Unique accessories such as disco ball purses, huge dazzling star and lightning bolt earrings, tribal jewelry and woven hair cones put us in that dreamy dance frame of mind.
It was a finale like none other. Wild feathers larger than life made this a theatrical presentation to remember. It was a magnificent moment and as Red Carter took a walk down the runway, he brought the crowd to their feet.
What does the future hold for Red Carter? He expects to broaden and expand his collection. Beginning on a dream and a credit card nine years ago, he has traveled so far in this fast-paced world and he hopes to now transition to become more of a relevant and more recognized designer to the world of fashion and style. With celebrity followers such as Rihanna, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Aniston and Demi Moore, Red Carter is well on his way!
PHOTO CREDITS: www.zimbio.com and efgpr.com
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