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6 Aussie Swimwear Trends for 2018

Posted on January 13, 2018

It may seem too soon to look into swimwear trends during the colder months of 2018, but if you want to make the most out of your beach look for the upcoming beach season, there’s no better place to look than Australian beaches. After all, summer and beach season are at their highest peak at the Aussie shores at this moment. Thanks to the different change of seasons in The Land Down Under, you can always rely on fashionable Aussies to set summer trends for the rest of the world to follow for 2018.

Crop top swimsuits

Photo by Remi Bedora on Unsplash

Regardless of your preferred pattern and color, or the shape of the swimsuit bottom, a crop-top for the top bit of a swimsuit is definitely very popular at Australian beaches. And, thanks to the various styles that you can find of a crop-top swimwear option, you can create different looks, from sporty and chic to girly, gentle and romantic. Of course, make sure that you get the best size for you and even look into different sizes when it comes to bottoms and tops of the same swimsuit since a crop-top can look a bit unflattering if it doesn’t fit you perfectly.

Boho patterns, frills and tassels

Photo by Courtney Clayton on Unsplash

It doesn’t matter what cut of a swimsuit you prefer – if your go-to style involves boho vibe, you’re in luck, so far in 2018, Australian beaches are filled with colors, frills and tassels that would make any boho-lover truly excited for the beach time. If this is something that sounds promising to you, definitely check out the Camilla brand of swimsuits, known for its amazing boho swimwear designs.

Sporty yet elegant

Photo by Lua Valentia on Unsplash

Sporty bikinis and one-piece swimsuits that feel elegant yet gentle at the same time are also really popular this swim season in Australia. Essentially, the “effortless” yet comfy look of these swimsuits allow you to express your personality. Also, you will draw attention to the best aspects of your beach body since they are so minimal yet flatteringly cut. In case this sounds like your cup of tea, you should definitely check out the amazing White Fox Boutique swimwear.

Girly and earthy

Photo by Mickael Gresset on Unsplash

Girly and earthy are the attributes that best describe the popular fashion street style called Mori girl. So, if you’re a fan of that particular style, there’s no doubt that you will find a perfect swimsuit for you among the many choices Peony Swimwear has to offer.

Retro-style swimsuits

Photo by GREG KANTRA on Unsplash

Retro-inspired swimsuits with high-waisted bottoms are still at the top of the trend list when it comes to popular swimwear this beach season. However, every new season brings something new when it comes to the timeless cuts and designs. This year, while the high-waisted trend remains, there’s more interest added with prints, knots and straps. Also, you can easily find tops that pair with high-waisted bottoms but that still combine some other styles like a crop-top or a traditional bikini. In that respect, you have endless possibilities to showcase your personal taste and look your best at the beach.

One-piece swimsuits

Photo by Ana Pavlyuk on Unsplash

A One-piece swimsuit will always be a classic but if you want to make an unforgettable impact on the beach, you just have to take a look at the confident Aussie ladies and the way they can make the classic one-piece more daring and fashionable. Really deep cuts at the front, one-shoulder pieces, straps as an accent detail as well as one-piece swimsuits with long sleeves will not only make you look fabulous but help you make a true fashion statement as well.

These days, fashion is all about wearing your personality freely and openly. This aspect is definitely becoming a part of swimwear trends as well. Just because there’s not a lot of fabric to work with doesn’t mean that you can’t create an incredibly personal beach look that will highlight your best features as well as your individuality. You can trust Aussie ladies on that.

fashion

OHOY: Swimming in Plastic

Posted on December 7, 2017

Founded by locally based Scandinavians Henna and Anna, OHOY is the uber chic and ethical solution to our summer’s, created with the ocean in mind. Their one-pieces boasting the hottest SS18 shades are on our wishlist this season, as we salute these ladies for their environmentally friendly approach to our favourite piece of clothing.

Famed for their intentional simplicity and feminine yet modern lines, we are looking North for our latest fashion fix, as the Scandinavian’s are some of the most sought after designers around right now.

All OHOY products are produced from plastic and fishing nets collected from the sea & recycled into luxurious Italian fabrics and to top it off… made here in the U.A.E..

Tested in real-life conditions and leading the way in terms of material too, as they are twice as resistant to chlorine, sun creams and oils, when compared with other fabrics.

fashion

Bedouin Studios X Houndsditch

Posted on November 25, 2017

It’s great that locally based brands are taking the #PLASTICfreeSEA ethos seriously. Andraya Farrag of homegrown brand BEDOUIN just took a jump into the world of swimwear, launching in collaboration with Lisbon-based, London-born brand, Houndsditch for SS18.

Houndsditch is an environmentally friendly brand that produces their collections using post-consumer recycled materials, including plastics that would otherwise end up otherwise polluting the oceans.

“I wanted to make buying swimwear as fun as wearing it,” says Andrew Young, founder of Houndsditch.

Their gorgeous hand designed prints, with exotic hints of flora and fauna are processed into fabrics, which are then used to make the custom-made pieces. Houndsditch’s production line is predominantly made to order, which helps to further minimize fabric wastage – a relatively new concept for the conscious consumers, but one which is making a mark.

“I couldn’t wait to join forces [with Houndstich] and create a capsule collection of swimwear that perfectly compliment and co-exist with the BEDOUIN SS18 RTW collection.” Farrag of Bedouin

Designed to be mix and matched with the ready to wear collection, the Bedouin swimwear boasts an overarching Cuban theme, whilst also influenced by the elements.

Exuding cool tones of white, wheat, shades of pink, green warmed up occasionally with a hint of orange and contrasted by black. Leopard, beetles, moths and fantastical foliage are interwoven into an array of multi-colored prints.

*Cover image shot poolside at Vida Downtown*

fashion

The Biggest Beach Trends from International Fashion Weeks

Posted on November 5, 2017

Now that summer’s officially over, we can sit back and think about the things that were the trendiest on the beach, and we can definitely try to speculate about the things that will be huge next summer. Seeing fashion runways being transformed into beaches and checking out all the amazing outfits and combinations out there gives us many ideas about the way we want to look next summer. Let’s take a quick look at the most important beach trends this year, that will definitely make an appearance come the next one as well:

Photo by Ana Pavlyuk on Unsplash

1. Swimwear
According to Funkshion (Fashion Week Miami Beach) – the simpler the swimming suit, the better. Having a swimming suit that’s not of a pastel colour was kind of unpopular this year, since the rocking colours were beige, navy blue and white. Things won’t change in the following year either – Issa di Mar’s and Liliana Montoya’s swim collection for the following year also incorporate these colours, with both the one-piece retro and the classic two-piece swimming suit being pulled off, but with a twist. Don’t be surprised if you see someone wearing a two-piece corset-like swimming suit, it’s so much in.

Photo by Jessica Bristow on Unsplash

2. Bags
Woven beach bags have made a comeback this year – and we’re not only talking about the beach. If you have seen a girl rocking one to and from work, she might have been a fashion guru. Taking the very elegant Eugenia Kim Flavia or any bag from Frances Valentine to the beach will surely catch everyone’s attention. Moreover, light, woven backpacks were also dominant on the sandy beaches, and it’s definitely a trend that will be very popular in the following year, as well.

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3. Accessories
You can never go to the beach without being properly accessorized. Having good-quality sunglasses, nice, summer-inspired necklaces and bracelets is something that never goes out of style. According to Elle, one of the most important accessories this year were printed kaftans and cover-ups. If you happened to choose one that’s cheerful and elegant, going without any extra accessories was totally forgivable. Moreover, choosing a nice summer-themed phone case, and nice foot-bracelets can also do the trick.

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4. Shoes and tops
A girl can never spend too much money on shoes, and the ones for the beach also count. Having good footwear and combining it well with the outfit you’ve chosen for that day is totally an eye-catcher. Long tees that you wear as a dress (preferably a single-coloured one with motivational quotes) were very big this year, so mind these during the summer of 2018 too. When it comes to footwear, you don’t (and you shouldn’t) be wearing stilettos – Victoria Secret’s double-strap beach sandals or the classic and elegant Birkenstock shoes were, and will be, a total must-have the coming summer. If your outfit is on point, you can match these with whatever. It doesn’t leave the impression you were trying too hard and, yet, it looks classy and cute.

Photo by Anna Demianenko on Unsplash

5. Hats
The bigger the hat, the cooler you look. A good hat has always been a must for a day at the beach, and this year, big, straw hats were very dominant. They don’t have to have patterns – Ralph Lauren released a summer 2017 straw hat collection with such amazing colours that we wanted to take all of them home. However, the classic big black summer hat was definitely a hit, and it can never go out of style. 2017 proved it, and so will the following year.

The things that make your beach outfit are not the swimming suit you’re wearing. If you keep it minimalistic yet trendy, there will be so many combinations you can make with the clothes and accessories. A tip for next year: choose a simple, beige or brown swimming suit, and you’ll see that everything can match well with it – even your new, tanned skin.

fashion

5 Aussie Activewear Brands you Need to Know

Posted on October 18, 2017

Season after season, activewear (athleisure’s big sister) is only getting bigger and bigger. Everyone’s turning to the comfy and stylish and brands around the world are looking to align their designs with the customers’ needs. As we’re always on the outlook for the next best thing, we’ve given this fashion scene around the world a closer inspection and were pleasantly surprised to find that Australia may just be the leading country this season, at least when it comes to activewear brands.

So, for all of you who love being fashionable but prefer staying comfy, here are the top five Aussie activewear brands you should consider wearing:

HyperLuxe
The pride of Perth’s idyllic North Beach, the family-owned business HyperLuxe successfully blurs the line between casual daywear and workout gear, and works perfectly with modern-day lifestyle. HyperLuxe’s designs are intended for everyone who wants to look stylish and still have the ability to easily switch from a workout to running errands, having coffee with friends, carpool, and more. The brand’s been actively growing for two years now and we’re kind of impressed with the offer they currently have. The brand understands the busy schedules their target customers struggle with and they design to make their (active) lives easier.

Twotags
Lovers of active and healthy lifestyle, all those almost religiously committed to their workout routines will absolutely adore Twotags. The brand that prides on their very specific and focused aesthetics is perfect for athletes and dedicated gym-goers (or trainers) who love to look stylish but keep their fitness regimens uninterrupted. The designs are tailored in such a way that they show off your hard work in a stylish manner.
The brand delivers aesthetic fit and quality products, and they pride on their superb understanding of the market they are designing for. Further, by their own admission, Twotags refuses “to work with department stores & retail middlemen, passing on the savings to you”. Kudos!

Dharma Bums
There’s no harm in aligning your chakras with an awesome pair of leggings, is there? This high-performance yoga and activewear brand is everything you want to wear if you are a yoga lover or a stylish girl on the go. Dharma Bums is about to be four (4) years old this November and, as far as we’ve gathered, the brand has built a huge shopping audience by now. It was founded by a fashion designer and yoga teacher Debbie Lawson with the idea of changing the way yoga apparel is made. As laid out on the brand’s page, “Dharma Bums insists on an ethical code of conduct from the companies that make the product. Each Dharma Bum garment is made onshore in Australia and has the stamp of approval from Ethical Australia”. Further, before actually being launched on the market for sale, every new design is tried by yogis worldwide to make sure both fabrics and fit agree with the asana taken. Sweet, isn’t it?

Talbot Avenue
Yet another yoga-inspired activewear brand, Talbot Avenue designs for both yoga devotees and those who’ve never stepped foot in a gym! Women who trust Talbot Avenue wear the brand as their everyday street style looks, not just as a part of their yoga practices. This fact alone is continually stimulating the brand to channel their creative liberty towards actively extending their activewear offer and keeping their audience active and stylish. The fabrics, prints, and patterns they work with are carefully selected by the creative team behind the brand, so watch out for geometric shapes, snakeskin prints, monochromes, high-quality stretch with moisture-wicking capabilities and much more. Talbot Avenue’s designs work with every exercise, making it easy to extend your boxing class to a calming yoga session, afterwards. The brand is Australia-based but stocked in the USA, UK, and Europe, too.

Toned by Ashy Bines
Designed for all women, Toned has only launched their first collection but we kind of have a feeling this one is the first of many. The collection is chic, comfortable and super functional, with a very stylish twist to it. It is intended to flatter everybody and shape – from the ladies who need extra support in the bust area to those who wish to show off/hide their tummies or thighs. Fitted hoodies, comfy loose sweaters, flattering tights, and other activewear garments are just a few things this super cute brand offers. The designer of the brand collaborated with fitnessees around the world, listened to their wants, needs, feedbacks, and requirements and designed a collection with all that input in mind. We suggest you give it a chance!

Written by Claire Hastings.

fashion Fitness

ELEVAETE X Emirati Women’s Day

Posted on September 7, 2017

Celebrating homegrown talent and the love of sport, the U.A.E.’s own unique fitness apparel brand ELEVAETE is creating more than just a statement this Emirati Women’s Day.

ELEVAETE worked with a young local Emirati artist, Amna al Banna, at just 21 and studying graphic design at Zayed University, is known for her passion for calligraphy. With their collaboration, using traditional calligraphy to highlight local culture, Al Banna uses 6 words to represent both traditional UAE culture and sport culture. With these words alone, she’s created unique artwork that is screen printed on two pieces of barre-ready apparel in gold.

Both Al Banna and ELEVAETE reflect the same values at their core – victory, strength, faith, passion, energy, life. So we don’t expect them to available for long, these two pieces are a limited edition run set sold either together or separately and named after two of Al Banna’s identified words.

The pieces themselves are a beautiful fusion of tradition and function. A dark, monotone base colour just helps to highlight the calligraphy and each piece is handprinted with care.

We can’t wait to get our hands on set – get yours HERE.

STRENGTH / QUWA TEE

PASSION / SHAGAF LEGGING

fashion

5 Aussie Swimwear Brands You Need to Know

Posted on September 4, 2017

Winter is almost over in Australia, so now is the time to start preparing for the next hot summer. Let’s ask ourselves: is there such a thing as an Aussie without a swimsuit? Probably not, and with a good reason seeing as Australia is filled with beautiful beaches. So, why not use every opportunity to enjoy a beautiful day at the beach in some cute swimwear? But, as you’re preparing for the next swimsuit season, ask yourself whether it’s really necessary that you wear the same old boring bathing suit you spent the last five summers in. Instead, dig deep and go for that one swimwear style you always wanted to try because who knows, maybe one of these awesome five Aussie brands have just what you’ve been looking for.
Bondi Bather

You can’t think ‘Sydney’ without thinking ‘Bondi Beach’ and that’s no surprise seeing as it’s the most famous beach in Australia. So, as you pack your beach bag, why not put on your Bondi Bather swimsuit? These Australian-made bathing suits aren’t only stylish and unique, but they’re also made of high quality fabrics with a high UV rating +50, which will make it possible to enjoy Australian sun without fearing for your skin.
Baku Swimwear

If you want to wear a swimsuit which will make you feel sexy, confident and beautiful, Baku Swimwear is the perfect option for you. This brand was created ten years ago and its creators, a brother and a sister, have made sure to make their customers feel and look amazing while they’re wearing Baku swimsuits. Whether it’s a bikini or a one piece, it’s impossible not to find something chic and stylish for every shape, size and body type. Baku is all about innovative design, flattering style and quality materials, so it’s no wonder it is so successful and popular.
Curvy by Capriosca

Are you a curvy girl who wants to rock her curves this season? Curvy by Capriosca will help you do that because once you put on a swimsuit that enhances your curves and accentuates your hourglass figure, you’ll feel beautiful and confident. Check out their amazing variety of designs and prints and find something fashionable and gorgeous like an interesting retro checked print or a cute floral motif.
Ward Whillas

Founded by Sydney-raised friends Rose Ward, (who previously worked in the design room at The Row and Proenza Schouler) and Alicia Whillas, (who designed accessories at Marc Jacobs) their swimwear features interchangeable separates made with advanced manufacturing technology that was previously only found in high-performance active wear. All styles are reversible too so you’ll essentially get two cossies in one!
Kini Swimwear

If you’re looking for something that will make you feel comfortable yet something that is flattering to your figure and super trendy, Kini Swimwear should be your choice. While they have plenty of both elegant and playful bikinis they’ve designed, probably the best thing about Kini is that you’re able to design a bathing suit all on your own on their website. You simply need to choose the style, color and/or print and afterwards, wait for your fabulous customized piece to arrive.

All you need to do is check out these awesome brands; they all have easy-to-use websites from which you can purchase your favorite new swimsuit. So, take out your cute beach bag; put your favorite book in it along with some shades and sunscreen; put on your new cute bathing suit under a summer dress; and head for your favorite spot on the beach.

Written by Claire Hastings.

fashion

Loving AA Sisters Swimwear

Posted on August 27, 2017

Because it’s always bikini season here in Dubai, we like to keep our water wear interesting. I’m a big believer too in homegrown brands, passion projects created by the love of life. So AA Sisters Swimwear is a brand i’m wearing loving now. Created by two sisters Ayşıl Aybaba Dilmen and Aynil Aybaba, based in Turkey, their unique pieces have made it across to our shores to help brighten up our beaches.

Made with the weekend warrior in mind, AA Sisters Swimwear is a combination of functional, fun and flirty, featuring both traditional and unique one-piece and bikini designs, as well as knitted swimwear for the more adventurous beachgoer. Their resort wear brings an easy beach-to-bar aesthetic that’s light enough to withstand even for our summer sun.

Check out some of their key pieces:

fashion

Sunglasses: it’s a Sunday, Somewhere state of mind

Posted on August 21, 2017

Question: How many pairs of sunglasses is it acceptable to own? I may have over-accessorised in this department but let’s face it, you can never have too many right?

Being introduced to a new brand is always exciting and with sunglasses, there are just so many choices out there. I have fallen head over heels for the new Sunday Somewhere brand in Magrabi, Bloomingdales, whose frames have been worn the world over by the likes of; Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Ruby Rose, Gigi Hadid, Beyonce & Solange as well as Cara D and a lot of Victoria Secret models, so we’re definitely in great company!

Sunday Somewhere is very much my kind of brand, it’s for the avid traveller, the person who just can’t sit still. The idea behind the brand is that it’s a Sunday, somewhere state of mind – so there’ll always be time to rest, but for now – head to the airport and play travel roulette. Pick a city you’ve never been to and simply explore. The next holiday is your story to tell…

Check out some of my favourite styles:

My favourite!

fashion

Sapia Simone Launches Wetsuits for SS18

Posted on August 3, 2017

Whether you’re surfing in Sri Lanka, wake-surfing in Dubai or scuba diving in the cooler waters off Oman, for a couple of months a year, wetsuits are going to be part of your gear.

Dubai based designer Sapia Simone launched her label in the cooler months of 2016. It can now be found in 15 stores worldwide as well as online on Farfetch.com and seen on the pages of Conde Nast Traveller, Harpers Bazaar Arabia and Emirates Woman. Having originated in Miami, the brand exudes a tropical essence, focusing on nature, travel and fantasy across its collections.

The brand’s aim is to encourage and inspire a fresh perspective on ‘beach chic’. Sapia Simone’s design mission is to make playful and beautiful swimwear silhouettes, styles and resort wear that celebrate the active and adventurous female living across the world in a variety of sunshine societies.

Designed to provide functional support to all our aquababes, wetsuits are normally your traditional black one-piece (ok it’s sometimes grey too) what they aren’t… is very fashion focused. Yet.

Launching for the first time, September sees one of my favourite brands, SAPIA SIMONE, focusing on the more active and adventurous women. Activating in two colours, these neoprene wetsuits are modest yet sexy, with patterned sides and a front zip for wear-ability.

Why not co-ordinate with your accessories too? Who doesn’t want matching wetsuits and surf bags, designed to be completely watertight and seal in all your important belongings, so that you can surf, skate or ski with peace of mind out on the water.

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