Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim 2011, Miami FLORIDA

Hot Miami Nights and South Beach once again brings us a fantastic Fashion Week with Line Ups and Parties from the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim, Nikki Beach, Salon Allure, Bass Museum, The Webster, and The Standard Hotel. Although I wasn't able to be there this summer, luckily Bikini Shell's two fab Interns Ashlee and Stephanie from South Florida, sat in all the shows as well as the After Parties and we will always love them for that.

check out what Ashlee has posted :)

DAY ONE of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim 2011 in Miami, Florida
Trina Turk kicked 2011 “Acapulco Gold” Swim and Spa collection

Trina Turk kicked off MBFW Swim with loud and outgoing peacock and floral multi colored prints. The gold and turquoise detailed pendants and buckles added a luxurious touch to a common silhouette. Trina’s tight tunic with bat sleeves impressed the audience as the loud floral casablanca print screamed vacation time!! The line stayed sophisticated but added edge with plunging neck lines and short rompers. Trina encompassed elegance with her statement accessories. The woven straw hats with dramatic tall crowns and oversized brims was an unforgettable addition to her swim collection. The inner girlie girl surfaced when the oversized straw hat downsized but did not leave behind the “wow factor” by displaying a gigantic woven bow. Trina’s finishing pieces included a shiny purple silk charmeuse long tunic, gold tweed cropped jacket, and of course who can forget the tall handsome male model wearing a bright lime green blazer and sexy board shorts.

DAY THREE of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim 2011 Miami, Florida Mara Hoffman Swim Resort 2011 Swim Collection

Don’t forget your passport girls!! Mara Hoffman took us on a supernatural voyage through an imaginative kaleidoscope of neon colors. She brought to life cultures from all over the world. (India, Egypt, Native America, Africa, and the Islands) The tour through Mara Hoffman’s 2011 Collection guided us through geometric printed swim suits, embroidered bikinis, chiffon ponchos, tight maxi dresses, tunics, leggings, wrap skirts, v-wired tops, and oversized traveling bags. The illuminating patterns continued the journey stopping at “Batik” (geometric and crystal shapes), “Dashiki” (colorful garment worn in west Africa), “Crystal Collage” (the kaleidoscope theme), the “Eye of God” (Egyptian symbol), Amazonian tribes (artistic face paint), and ending in the African Jungle.

Poko Pano 2011 - Run of the Show - MBFW Swim, South Beach, Miami

Poko Pano Picnic time in Miami Beach!!! Don’t forget the gingham blanket, watermelons, and banana flowers!! Poko Pano expressed her feminine and flirty side in her 2011 Swim Collection. Make sure to check the weather before you leave. Weather forecast for Poko Pano’s picnic started with clear skies, bouquets of tropical flowers, stripes, and watermelon prints. So far no clouds over the girls wearing cut out solid colored one pieces. But watch out, Florida’s unexpected cloudy sky’s ahead!! Poko Pano added some twist and turns right before we got to dessert!! The uninvited heartbreaker dress and the twisted bandeau two piece showed up. Beware of the rain, solid white bathing suits will be present. Run for shelter before the rain comes. To end a wonderful picnic, we stumble upon a buried treasure on the beach. Glowing jeweled one pieces and cover ups, bedazzled in a colorful toucan print.

DAY FIVE of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim 2011 Miami, Florida

Nicolita Caliente 2011Summer Collection, Miami

All ABOARD the Nicolita sailboat!! The rich Cuban music starts and the crowd wants to move their hips and feet. Nicolita’s 2011 Summer collection really added some flavor to the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim. Nicolita encompassed a 60’s flair with an authentic Spanish look. The fire red lips, side curly pony tails, flowered hair pieces, and frilly tiered arm pieces got me ready to SALSA!!! I enjoyed the fullness of the suits that stayed true to any girl with curves. The braided golden straps and the sailor nautical colors would get anyone excited to voyage through the sea. No sea sickness here!!

Marysia Swim 2011 Collection, Miami

Designer Maria Dobrzanska Reeves really gave the audience a relaxing feeling when attending the Marysia Swim’s 2011 Collection. I felt like I was at a luau, when the traditional Polynesian island drummers started to play their rhythmic music. The show was complete when I noticed Ari Golds wife from Entourage (Perry Reeves), sitting in the audience wearing one of the Marysia cover ups. Maria incorporated neutral calming colors such as greens, tans, and baby pinks. The soft feminine fabrics gave an unwinding feeling, which is perfect for traveling or going for a stroll in the local markets. Her collection featured high waist silhouettes, one-pieces, and draping cover-ups. To complete your outfit and get involved with the natives, Maria added an oversized conical Asian hat.

Ashlee Kross, Bikini Shell Intern 2011 Miami Collections, Ashlee a graduate of West Virginia University received her degree in Business and has worked with NYC based fashion showrooms, Coast, Intermezzo, Barneys NY, Fitness Magazine, and Dash Miami. Her passion is everything fashion, and looks forward to furthering her career in Public Relations.