True Religion Swim Spring '08

All that was missing from True Religion’s swim debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim at The Raleigh hotel in Miami Beach, on July 12 was a Volkswagen bus painted with peace signs and flowers. Shaggy-haired surfer dudes toting vintage skateboards and guitars shared the runway with hippie chicks in teeny-tiny bikinis while classic rock blared from the sound system. True Religion showcased vintage prints, from tie-dye to paisley, it purchased for use on its swimwear. Fabrications ranged from suede to crochet and classic Lycra fabrics to slick metallics. Denim, the Los Angeles–based company’s bread and butter, also made an appearance on the runway in the form of cut-off shorts. While boardshorts and bikinis dominated the runway, coverups also made an appearance in the form of easy-breezy cotton trapeze dresses, crochet tunics and printed-chiffon gowns. —Erin Barajas