Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim/Cruise 2009: Tibi

Tibi designer and founder Amy Smilovic left her imprint on Miami Beach, Fla., with the launch of Tibi swim on the opening night of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim at The Raleigh hotel. “I want people to know a Tibi print when it comes out to the pool,” she said. Smilovic said she was inspired to launch the collection so she could create chic, sophisticated prints for swimwear. She went back to her design archive and created fabrics based on original Indonesian fabrications she developed 11 years ago. Exquisite tribal prints, colorful floral motifs and graphic octagonal shapes were made in unusual yet sophisticated color combinations. She mixed brights with murky tones and kept shapes simple to showcase the prints. Triangle tops, bandeaus, Brazilian-cut bottoms and maillots with plunging deacute;colletage complemented elegant caftans and breezy halter dresses. The designer, who shows regularly at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, said launching the swim collection in Miami made absolute sense for the brand. “It’s really the best venue; it’s all about swim,” she said.—N. Jayne Seward