SwimShorts 2009
The new year welcomes new styles, new trends, and new innovation in the swimwear industry. From high performance fibers to bikinis to trade events, the following companies reveal their updates for 2009.
Established more than a decade ago, Banana Split USA delivers a versatile wardrobe of beachwear and casual clothing for the modern lifestyle. The 2009 collection, inspired by the theme of freedom, features the latest styles in tops, shirts, cargo shorts, board shorts, and elastic shorts for men, women, and kids that offer comfort, the latest in fashion, and youthful appeal. Look for Banana Split USA at Surf Expo in Orlando, MAGIC in Las Vegas, FAME in New York, throughout the United States, and at www.bananasplitusa.com.Although a rookie in the swimwear industry, Ed Hardy Swimwear experienced a strong maiden year, including the introduction of its sultry sister Christian Audigier Swimwear. Both tattoo-inspired, contemporary collections are designed by Christian Audigier, make unique statements of their own, and are produced in the United States by Los Angeles–based swim manufacturer Sea and Sun. Bold colors, eye-catching designs, and signature logos turn heads. Sublimation, the unique and complex engineering process by which ink is inserted directly onto the swimsuit’s fabric, makes these swimsuits individual works of art. From concept to completion, each piece is designed and produced by hand. Visit www.edhardyswimwear.com and www.donedhardy.com.Entering its 27th year, The Swimwear Association of Florida hosts the largest major swimwear tradeshow in the world July 18–21 in Miami. The annual tradeshow/fashion show kicks off the new season with more than 2,500 domestic and international swimwear collections. Participating designers are shown on the runways of the major fashion market weeks of New York, Los Angeles, and Miami Beach. The association reports of increased swimwear sales in the United States last year bolster the strength of swimwear in the fashion industry. For further information on the SwimShow, visit www.swimshow.com.Malibu Dream Girl recently unveiled a new showroom in New York City that houses brands Gossip, Gossip Collection, Ocean Dream Collection, Smoothies, Gossip Girl, and Hula Star. Located at 575 Seventh Ave., Suite 1612, the national sales division is headed by seasoned industry veteran Paul Luksa. In other news, Malibu will add the Gossip Girl brand to its current junior division joining sister brands Gossip and Gossip Collection. For the young fashionista who loves flirty and feminine looks, Gossip Girl juniors is set to launch for the 2010 swim season. For the latest updates about Malibu and to view the 2009 collections, visit www.malibuswim.com.INVISTA manufactures both LYCRAreg; fiber and Xtra Life LYCRAreg; fiber to offer value adding benefits in swimwear. Xtra Life LYCRAreg; fiber specifically provides resistance to chlorine 5–10 times longer than ordinary spandex and resists the impact of suntan lotion and skin oils better than generic spandex leading to beautiful, long-lasting fit that resists bagging and sagging. In addition, Xtra Life LYCRAreg; Black fiber offers the first truly black or uniform shades of swimwear with exceptional colorfastness, especially when combined with producer-colored nylon yarns. Other benefits include virtual elimination of grin-through, excellent uniformity, high recovery power, and the opportunity to create interesting design effects. Please call (212) 512-9235.Founded in 1949, the Philips-Boyne Corporation is a stocking distributor of high quality woven shirting fabric. The majority of the line consists of long staple Egyptian cotton that is woven and finished in Japan. More than 3.5 million yards of stock also includes blends, linens, and silks. Styles range from classic stripes, checks, and solids to novelties, oxfords, polka-dots, and more. Located in the New York metropolitan area with sales agents throughout the country, Philips-Boyne serves everyone from at-home sewers and custom shirt-makers to couture designers and branded corporations. Peruse the extensive inventory listing at www.philipsboyne.com. Established in 1983 on the principles of fashion forward styling and quality assurance, MAR RIO believes in the natural beauty and uniqueness of every woman. The 2009 collection takes its inspiration directly from nature, featuring strong, lively colors mixed with flowers and harmonized with the soft colors of rivers on the horizon. The line includes more than 130 fashionable products, many of which are available in both Brazilian and American cuts and in light Lycra. Visit www.eXMGlobal.com or call (866) 298-9723.Kariza Designs combines elegance, creativity, and sophistication in a unique concept for the specialty retail industry. Kariza wrap skirts can be worn in countless ways, converting into beautiful dresses, tops, shawls, and cover-ups to achieve a number of looks from simple to sexy to sophisticated. With creativity, these timeless pieces can be worn for any occasion. New collections for the upcoming seasons can be viewed at www.karizadesigns.com.Founded in 1990, InGear is a leading supplier of swim, resort, and casual-lifestyle fashions in the United States and abroad. InGear’s product and lifestyle accessories may be found at surf, beach, swim, hotel/resort, and gift shops, as well as in specialty stores, boutiques, spas, sporting good stores, and department stores throughout the country. InGear also designs, manufactures, and sells Your Best Look Swimwear, conservatively sexy swimsuits that come with a free matching cover-up. Most recently, InGear inked a licensing deal with Playboy and launched the much-anticipated Playboy Swim collection at the July 2008 SwimShow in Miami Beach.True Religion Apparel, Inc. has paired up with InGear Swimwear, a global leader in swim, resort, and casual lifestyle fashions, to release a diverse line of sexy, rock ’n’ roll–inspired swimsuits for women, men, and kids that incorporates denim, leather, and crochet fabrics. The True Religion Swim collection includes suits that range from vintage-inspired prints on Brazilian silhouettes to beading and embellishments on basic bikinis as well as coordinating cover-ups. Retail prices range from $60 to $100 for separates and $100 to $180 for sets available nationwide at major department stores and specialty shops.Celebrity Jessica Simpson, with InGear Swimwear and the Camuto Group, Simpson’s licensing house, launched the latest edition to her lifestyle collection—Jessica Simpson Swim. InGear, backed by more than 17 years in the industry, worked closely with Simpson to design, produce, and distribute the line of contemporary one-pieces and separates in retro prints, girlie basics, and American-girl–inspired and pin-up–inspired silhouettes. Marketed for women ages 18–40, the line offers something for every body type and is available at major department stores and specialty boutiques at prices ranging from $50 to $70 for separates and $100 to $140 for sets. The extended success of the washed, soft finish Matte Foil from specialty fabric and yarn manufacturer La Lame prompted a new version in an unwashed hand for a shinier finish. Both foils are stocked in New York and are popular with swimwear and sportswear manufacturers. Another fashion forward fabric in demand is a Satin Stretch in 12 colors also stocked in New York. A new collection of Silk Blends in solids and prints produced in the Far East offer a less expensive price point than usual silk groups and are being heavily sampled by swim, sportswear, dress, and loungewear makers. Please call (212) 921-9770 to review these and other developments.Beach Rays is all about style, innovation, and value. What began with basic swim trunks and board shorts more than a decade ago has grown to include complete divisions for young men, men, juniors, missy, boys, girls, toddlers, cover-ups, and t-shirts. For 2009, Beach Rays has developed a new high-performance fabric, Micro Serge Twill, that gives its board shorts and swim trunks unprecedented durability with an ultra-luxurious texture. For more information, visit www.beachrays.com.
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