Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim blew out of town last night (the remnants of the event probably wandering the streets in the wee hours this morning with their mascara smeared, looking for their other pump). Now we can look forward to what summer is supposed to be in Miami -- hot, sweaty, and empty. Let's look back at the show.
Despite the economic cloud hanging over the event, business was booming at the Miami Beach Convention Center. For the most part, vendors were reporting record sales, and the space was buzzing with business all weekend.
Local standouts did more than deliver. As always, everyone raved about Red Carter's line. The suits looked like they stepped right out of a 1940s flick (in a good way), and the show was styled by Sex and the City celebrity stylist Danny Santiago.
Over at the W South Beach, the Inca show impressed. The production was out of this world, and model Cindy Taylor walked the runway. As predicted, Karelle Levy owned the Standard (despite the AC being broken); her super-stylish knits are perfect for a girl with curves.
Room 711 at the Raleigh Hotel was one of the best-kept secrets of the event. Designer Lisa Fernandez's line was stylishly wetsuit-themed without being too sporty, and according to Florida International Magazine's fashion editor, Jilian Sanz: "If those suits don't make it into the next Bond movie, I don't know what will."
One of the weirder stories we hear was of ShamWow train wreck Vince Shlomi crashing the Tommy Hilfiger store event Saturday. He was heard aggressively inviting everyone at the party back to his apartment post event (for a cleaning party, perhaps?).
The Shay Todd event was by far the most entertaining and energetic. Against all odds -- being short 100 seats, the stage and lighting blowing into the pool pre-event, the power going out, a water pipe bursting in the models' dressing room, and the show beginning an hour and a half late -- they pulled it off when the models hit the runway in dominatrix-inspired corset-wear that seemed to reflect the rebelliousness of the pre-show high jinx. If you were lucky (or connected) enough to score entrance to the exclusive afterparty at the Wall (the W's new nightclub), you were among the few and privileged. Tara Reid was seen there, double-fisting drinks and refusing photographs, as well as Real Housewives of New York's Kelly Bensimon and New Jersey's Dina Manzo. It left us wondering where the real celebrities were.
The jewelry stole the show at the V Del Sol show. Viewers were so blown away by the Triian Burbank baubles that they were deemed "out of this world, chunky, fun, edgy, cool, sophisticated, surprisingly lightweight, and wearable."
Overall, the event was a super-fun splash, despite the less-than-noteworthy kickoff.
Check out our Swim Week slide shows here:
