You wouldn’t know it from the random, noncommittal weather of late, but it’s actually October, which means it’s pretty much December and you might as well start calling in sick now because you’ve mentally checked out of whatever it is you’re doing at work (that’s why you’re here, right?) and chances are you’re on your way to the beach (in your mind).
Before you get oiled up and sandy and start practising the fine art that is beachgoing (all that preening and waxing and peacocking), you might want to check out Pedestrian’s Guide to the Best Swimwear Looks of Spring Summer 11/12 – looks that’ll see you through to the end of February (and beyond) in all your high-waisted, cut-out, structurally-deconstructed, tassle-fringe-ruffle-laced, minimalist, modernist print-clad glory. And that’s the goal, isn’t it?
Pull out your brand new freakum’ bikini from this season’s Bondi to Coogee wide selection of trends with a finely curated selection from Amore & Sorvete, Camilla & Marc, Coco Riche, Gorman and Lover, as seen below. Gentleman, don’t be shy – this one’s also for you.
Amore & Sorvete’s collection, dubbed the Sorbet Collection, serves up a pretty, pretty wide range of options in a mix of floral prints and block colours, minimal shapes contrast with pleated fringe detailing and high-waisted briefs are balanced with a variety of low-cut options. One scoop, or two? Badoom-tish.
Camilla & Marc deliver swimwear for the lady who likes a little story behind her two-piece. Inspired by the vibrant beachside glamour of Brazil as lensed by Mario Testino, the sibling duo deliver a bevvy of structured swimsuits with highly-graphic cutouts in a veritable salsa of colours inspired by modernist landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, including avocado green, salmon, lemon yellow and navy blue. Irresistible delicious.
Coco Riche dish it up Miami-style by way of Sydney Harbour in their Oser Rever lookbook, with more digital lightening prints, ruffles, tassled-fringing and sass than you can poke a pair of mirrored aviators at. With names like Chinchilla, Monaco, Gisela, and Taboo you’ll need an extra dose of Panache (that’s another one) to go with your super yacht. Ahoy.
Fresh from the runways of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, newcomers to the swimwear market, Gorman dip into one of Spring 2011’s tastiest trends – that is, fruit and vegetable motifs seen also at Prada and Stella McCartney in SS11 and Dolce & Gabbana SS12 – with the introduction of their whimsical tutti-fruitti print, alongside a distinctively Gorman rope print also seen in their High Summer clothing range. Gorman Swim’s parallel prints play out on a variety of shapes, including the ubiquitous retro-inspired high-waisted brief, replete with bandeau tops, combining vintage nautical and tribal motifs with an altogether modern sensibility. This shit is bananas.
Lover go from strength-to-strength, translating the recent success of their White Serpent collection for Spring/Summer into a swimwear collection of the same name and – surprise – it features a lot of those eponymous motifs, some familiar inclusions and a couple of new additions. One and two piece swimsuits (the latter again partnered with the inescapable high-waist brief, as well as some low-cut ones) with square-cut necklines feature in a lace knit material in both black, red and ivory, alongside blossom, snakeskin and blue leopard prints in halter-neck, tube and triange variations.
So, if we’ve learnt anything – and I think we have – from SS11/12 Swimwear: 101, I think it’s safe to say that if you can, rock-a-(billy)-high-waist, in an edible motif or colour, throw on the detailing of your choice – whether it be fringe, lace knit, tassle or a discrete ruffle – or just cut it out entirely, and you’ll be sweet. Just don’t forget your panache.
