California Apparel News

For its 2013 collection, Cia.Marítima took inspiration from the Hawaiian islands. The brand, which is manufactured by the Rosset Group in Sao Paulo, debuted on the runway at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim on July 21. Cia.Marítima’s founder and designer, Benny Rosset, said he and his team were inspired by their recent travels to Hawaii. “We were talking about the feelings that we had there and the colors of the island, the beauty of the place, the story of Elvis Presley, and movies I remember from my childhood,” Rosset said. “We had the same feeling that we were very welcome there. We put different things in the collection that we translated for Brazil and for the world,” he explained. The collection combined the colors of the islands, its tropical foliage and crystal-blue waters with signature Brazilian handcrafted beading and embroidery. Colorful pineapple, seahorse and palm-tree scenic prints captured the island lifestyle with chic sophistication. New this season were larger cuts on bottoms, which, according to Rosset, are trending on the beaches of Brazil, as well as fluid dresses and sarongs.

—N.J.S.

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