Designers Liza & Tara backstage after the show
Cupcake Mag Contributor Elizabeth Seever
with the designer of Tyler Rose, Nicole
4 Designers Showcase an Eclectic Mix of Alluring Swimwear on
One Night, One Rooftop
Text, Elizabeth Seever
Edited by Casi Densmore-Koon
Images Courtsey of Tara,Ink.
Who: KEVA by Keva J, Liza + Tara Resort Wear, JOGO by POONEH and Tyler Rose Swimwear
When: Wednesday, July 15th
9PM – 10PM Complimentary Pink Elephant Cocktails
9:45PM Beyonce Satellite Feed Debuts her Music Video “Sweet Dreams”
10PM show
Where: Plunge Rooftop Pool Bar and Lounge at The Gansevoort South Beach Hotel
The evening kicked off with an exclusive screening of Grammy award-winning artist Beyoncé’s music video“Sweet Dreams”. Over 800 of Miami’s top VIP’s and celebrities, including socialite and author Kelly Bensimonof “The Real Housewives of New York” along with “Transformers” producerMichael Bay and actress Perry Reeves, “Ms. Ari Gold,” from HBO’s Entourage, all previewed the 4-in-1 show from their private cabanas. Plunge transformed its rooftop pool and lounge into a starlit runway to debut swim and resort wear which ranged from flouncy, floral cover-ups to bold-hued, sexy geometric-inspired monokinis and hippie-chic mix-and-match bikinis.
Atop the Gansevoort Hotel, sat anxious fashionistas and press awaiting the new line of Swimwear by up and coming designers. Music playing over loudspeaker ranged Coldplay to Sweet Home Alabama, keeping the mood light and pleasurable while guests sipped on cocktails.The night started with the premier video by Beyonce and went straight into the four designer show.
The first designer, Keva J, was inspired by the Lion King, which she saw “at least a million times on Broadway”. Colors reminiscent of elephants, antelopes and snakes stampeded onto the runway. “I wanted to show the colors of elephants and elephant tusks, and a lot of lions.” Models walked down the runway with messy buns, which mirrored the lion manes of the desert. Geometric shapes from triangles to trapezoids were cut out of the swimwear, which added a little more dimension to the collection. The show ended with Keva Johnson coming out with Lion King-esqe dancers and waving to the guests.
The second two designers were from Miami and best friends. Liza + Tara Resort Wear. As soon as the Jamaican music started, flowy florals and floor length dresses made their way down the runway. “This collection was based on adventure for the chic and confident girl.” The floral cover-ups and shirt-dresses were complimented with flowers in the models hair and huge jewel tone necklaces around their necks.The designers-Liza Lamar and Tara Kunkel, were so cute-donning their own collection as they strutted across the runway.
The third show during the night was Jogo by Pooheh, a Parisian Designer that has spent the most of her life drifting around the world. “Everything is made in Bali-handmade, from the necklaces and bracelets, to the sandals.” The line was classic, yet elegant, with beach-like colors and light jersey dresses. “I wanted the collection to feel like you were going to the beach.” The designer- Pooneh Mohazzabi was so warm and welcoming giving both of us her card and complimentary bracelets.
The last show of the evening was from designer Tyler Rose- a rocker boho chic line called ‘Haute Indian Summer’. The music was rocking as the models came down the runway in fringe bikinis and Indian print headbands. Each of the models were wearing a form of cowboy boot-which the designer Nichole loves. “It [the collection] was inspired by Led Zeppelin, wandering gypsies, hippies and Woodstock.” The runway was filled with Missoni-esque prints. At the end of the show the gorgeous designer Nichole Carroll came out on the runway in a red strapless print dress, with fiery red hair.The night was filled with many different designs-from Serengeti Chic to Led Zeppelin inspired couture. It was a beautiful night in Miami and on the runway-a great way to kick of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim.
