Big Thumbs Up For Curacao International Swim Fashion Week
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
It was a sultry setting as the waves crashed onshore in Curacao, one of the most lovely islands of the Caribbean. It was a welcome getaway to Paradise as the very first ever International Swim & Resort Fashion Week was held there from February 19th through February 22, 2015.
As its name implies, international in flavor, exquisite in design, this Fashion Week had all the makings of another Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with enough impressive fashions to surround you in luxury and give you the tools to live your dream as you jet off to an exotic vacation destination.
Not only were there the traditional runway fashion shows, but there were also a collective amount of activities and events to fill the entire four days. Guests enjoyed cocktail parties, pop-up shops, a beach BBQ and the opportunity to interview the designers whose fashions were showcased at International Swim & Resort Fashion Week. As an added bonus, some of the off-hours offered the inviting ocean, sumptuous meals and spa experiences that catered to your every whim. Accommodations were centralized at the prestigious host hotel of the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort.
Courtesy of Curacao Showbiz Facebook Page
Each of the featured brands and their key designers provided a unique take on swimwear fashions. All had one common bond, the ability to provide women with swimwear and cover-ups that would give them a glow of glamour and elegance. Former Victoria’s Secret model, Tika Camaj, warmed up the runway as she showed off her curves in some of the most awe-inspiring swimwear of the season. Another big name with experience as a Brazilian cover model and getting her feet wet in the design industry was Julia Pereira.
“International Swim Fashion Week gives us the opportunity to showcase our diverse and multicultural island all while celebrating international design and creativity,” says John MacMullen, Director of Sales and Marketing. “The resort’s tropical allure serves as the perfect backdrop to debut these international swimwear collections and we look forward to welcoming these talented designers.”
Over the course of four exciting days, nine outstanding swimwear and resort shows took place. Modeling in the Lybethras Fashion Show as well as designing a varied number of pieces for the brand was Julia Pereira. Julia proved that she has the ‘right stuff’ to drive success and satisfaction. Drawn in by the brightly colored construction of Curacao, a world unto its own, Julia was creatively inspired by this cultural magic and patterned her swimwear in the same vivid colors. She favors the tiny bikini but understands that women come in all shapes and sizes and also does a few one-piece suits for the more conservative woman.
Other designers debuting new collections included Aquavita Swim, a favorite for accentuating the more feminine side of a woman, with looks that seem to empower and bestow an air of self-confidence on the wearer, with the belief that the beach is like oxygen for the soul.
A pleasing procession of fashions also included Del Mar By Bethany & Bieijo Baby, Harlette Swimwear, Island State Swim, Sirenes De Soleil, Pauleth Swimwear, Floridaita Swimwear and Phax Swimwear.
Courtesy of Curacao Showbizz Facebook Page
Gold suits glistened, fringe was trending, black lace one-piece suits were adorned with long strands of pearls, silk was paired with silver, peacock colors spread wings on the runway, feathered cover-ups provided an interesting take on sophistication, high waisted suits were a thumbs up in animal prints, polka dots were pretty, printed motifs on suits were amazing with pictures of Italian or Greek villages and the Statue of Liberty. This is the list of what fashion memories are made of.
The most popular accessories shown were wedges and espadrilles, heavy silver chokers and long flowing beads.
Courtesy of Curacao Showbizz Facebook Page
International Swim & Resort Fashion Week was the sparkle of the Caribbean Islands in February. With it came a tremendous amount of fun fashion seekers who were also eager to play in the sun, sand and surf. The camaraderie amongst the attendees was cohesive with many beautiful people full of smiles and laughs.
Courtesy of Curacao Showbizz Facebook Page
It was an invigorating week of so many beautiful fashions and extremely talented designers, high-fashion models, media from the fashion industry and to sum it up in a few words, a ”fashion week to remember.” This inaugural event will hopefully become one of the most looked forward to Fashion Weeks of the Caribbean in the coming years.
Courtesy of Curacao Showbizz Facebook Page
PHOTO CREDITS: Nestor G Zavarce
