Gold Coast fashion: Your guide to swimsuits set to sizzle on our beaches this summer
WE’RE in for one long, hot summer, with itsy bitsy tan-baring bikinis set to sizzle. From beach-to-bar one pieces to the cheekiest of cuts, local designers share how they’ll be turning up the heat.
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WE’RE in for one long, hot summer, with itsy bitsy tan-baring bikinis set to sizzle on the sand. From beach-to-bar one pieces to the cheekiest of cuts, local designers from White Sands Australia, Molly & Polly Swim and Capriosca Swimwear share how they’ll be turning up the heat
LEAH MADDEN
WHITE SANDS AUSTRALIA
What’s your summer swimwear forecast?
The biggest trend in swimwear for 2016/17 is a dramatic change to the more modest, high waisted and vintage looks of recent years. Cuts are brief and legs are cut high. Swimwear has gotten sexier and sassier this year, with the G-string and cheeky pant becoming mainstream. Sport looks are another big influence for coming seasons, as many women want designs that are functional, as well as fashionable. Swimwear in the designer category is also getting a lot more technical, with specialist fabrics and trims. Discerning buyers are now expecting more than just a piece of cut-and-stitch Lycra. Many of our regular customers are internationals who travel year-round — resortwear is a large part of their wardrobe, so they are looking for more than just a cossie for swimming in.
What can we expect from White Sands?
Our newest collection Jardin Botanique consists of three separate stories, each built around a beautiful floral print. Our Clematis story is a delicate bluebell print featuring ruffles and intricate laser-cut trim, which is perfect for the girl who loves a pretty feminine look. Our Waterlily print is a little brighter with some sportier cuts, while Nightlily is dark, and sexy. Each collection is created to mix and match styles to suit all body types. My personal favourite is our Phoebe pant, which is a tanga cut featuring our signature laser-cut trim around the leg. It’s super sexy, but still very pretty and feminine.
Why is the Gold Coast a great place to be a swimwear designer?
The weather here, and the laid-back lifestyle is a constant inspiration. My business is global, but the GC is where I want to spend most of my time. Our warehouse is in Sydney, our manufacturers in Melbourne, Sydney, Turkey, India and China, and our sales and marketing agents work out of Sydney and LA. I no longer find that the formality of an office is necessary, so I can work from anywhere, anytime. Most days I am working from my laptop outside in the sun.
What do you love about summer on the GC?
I LOVE the heat. Growing up on the Gold Coast has acclimatised me to need the sun and to be close to the water.
KIRSTEN BECK
MOLLY & POLLY SWIM
What’s your summer swimwear forecast?
Summer ’16 is all about warm colours, high-shine metallic fabrics and high-cut, itsy, bitsy bikinis.
What Molly & Polly piece will make the biggest splash?
One of my favourite pieces from our new Under a Cabana in Havana collection is the Havana one piece, a retro design that’s perfect for a day at the beach or when teamed with your best denim cut-offs. It’s ’80s inspired and cut high at the leg and low at the back.
Why is the Gold Coast a great place to be a swimwear designer?
The bikini originated on the Gold Coast and we’re famous for our beaches and bays. It’s the perfect backdrop for a lifestyle label and I think that’s why so many call the Gold Coast home.
What do you love about summer on the GC?
I love the feeling of happiness that comes from a day down at the beach with your loved ones. Right now all of my favourite frangipani trees are starting to bloom, the mangos are in season — I couldn’t think of anywhere else I would rather be.
MARCIA PILKINGTON
CAPRIOSCA SWIMWEAR
What’s your summer swimwear forecast?
We are seeing a huge trend towards one-piece swimsuits this season. As we are primarily a plus-size swimwear label, we are concentrating on ruching and splicing on many of our styles. It’s all about being bright this summer and we have done some beautiful tile-inspired prints, as well as florals and paisleys.
If you’re only going to buy one piece for the season, what should it be?
My favourite piece this season would have to be our six-way wrap one piece. It has a long tie that you can tie in six different ways, so you could do a halter option, one shoulder, or bandeau. It’s a great piece to pack when you are travelling as you can also team it with a maxi skirt or a pair of pants.
Why is the Gold Coast a great place to be a swimwear designer?
We are so lucky to be able to work and live in such a beautiful place. It makes it so much easier to design with such great weather most of the year. We also talk to so many of our customers; we have lots of customers come to our showroom and that feedback is invaluable.
What do you love about summer on the GC?
The best part of summer on the Gold Coast is the luxury of being five minutes away from the beach ... we can finish work and still go for a swim before we head home.
Originally published as Gold Coast fashion: Your guide to swimsuits set to sizzle on our beaches this summer
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