L'Etage's picks for the latest swim wear lines—Swim Week Miami!

by Pamela Grossman

The shows for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim 2014 just wrapped in Miami, and the fashion world is talking about the fun and funky styles they brought to town. L’Etage found a lot to love—including Colombian line Maaji, which sent male and female models down the runway in feisty swim wear accented by pirate gear; Brazil’s Cia.Maritima line (now known in the U.S. as C. M.), with its animal prints and bold colors; and Australia’s Suboo, which featured cropped swim tops that will shift instantly to a lunch or cocktail outfit with the addition of a skirt. The flirty Beach Bunny line, helmed this time around by models Irina Shayk and Chrissy Teigen, is not for the shy, with teeny-tiny suit bottoms and embellishments like zippers and crystals. On the other hand, Gottex, under creative designer Molly Grad, received its raves for flattering and low-maintenance suits, some high-waisted, with what Grad described as “African inspiration mixed in with bohemian” styles.

At Caffé, attention was paid not only to the swimsuits but to many stylish accessories, such as beach bags and cover-ups that will take you right into your dinner plans. Luli Fama also featured complete beach outfits—and wowed the crowd with a joyful dance performance to start the show. Barcelona-based Delores Cortes stood out not only for bringing an edgy chic to the line but for the handmade metal accessories that accompanied it. But perhaps our #1 favorite this year was Mara Hoffman, whose gorgeous and elaborate prints recalled colors and images from India and whose whole line was both dreamy and wearable. See you at la playa!