Swimwear

Following in the stylish footsteps of Proenza Schouler, Zimmermann has collaborated with luxe e-tailer Net-a-Porter on an exclusive capsule collection. Utilising the iconic botanical prints from their Summer 2013 Swim collection, the local label has produced a line of incredibly cute floral print board shorts — set to hit the e-shelves tomorrow. The shorts come in two lengths; a shorter retro-inspired length and a longer manstyle short. The boardies will retail for approx $210 AUD and approx $220 AUD respectively. Step inside to get your first look here. 

Summer is still a while away, but we can't think of better way to keep the spirit alive than with a major dose of Missoni. As if the fashion powerhouse hasn't provided enough eye candy before, there's a tonne more zigzags and bright colours to get us excited for sunnier days. From bikinis to one-pieces to mini-dresses to rompers, and even visors and baseball caps, this is one collection you'll keep wanting to stare at. And even if you can't afford every single piece, it's still fun to draw inspiration for your upcoming Summer wardrobe. Ready? Head inside to experience Missoni's Summer beachwear 2013 lookbook now.

If you like your swimming costumes loud, then We Are Handsome should be your first port of call this Summer. Of course, this is old news for the local design duo's legion of loyal fans — most of whom seemed to be on deck and joyously vocal in their praise for today's 'tude-filled runway show. Models hopped aboard easy-rider bicycles and (shock, horror) actually smiled when striking their pose for the photography pit — a game-plan that perfectly summed up the tongue-in-cheek, graphic prints that this local label has become famous for. Cover-ups were a new addition to the swimwear offering, with chiffon shell tops and long-sleeved shirts diversifying the signature range of scooped-back one-pieces, skimpy tri-bikinis and spray-on leggings and body-con tank dresses. It may have only been the label's second MBFWA presentation, but We Are Handsome put on a show with the chutzpah of seasoned fashion week veterans. 

• Colours: Colour palettes varied, depending on the print; sun-bleached beach scenes, nostalgic postcard pictures, lurid jungle vistas or monochrome tiger portraits.
• Trends: Graphic and photographic prints
• Key Looks: The low V, scoop-backed one piece still draws oohs and aahs from the fashion crowd. 
• Accessories: Metallic spliced stiletto sandals from ASOS and Monster headphones.

If nothing else, Australians know swimwear. Especially when it comes from a fashion label that focuses on fun, easy to wear, feminine pieces. This signature aesthetic was definitely at play in Talulah's first swimwear collection, making it's fashion week debut with joyous prints in tried-and-true but sexy shapes. The graphic vibe spilled over into the ready to wear offerings, with nifty printed jeans, contrast-collar shirts and pencil skirts are getting a taste. But it was the solid separates that shone thanks to subtle details; curved edges, asymmetrical panelling, a semi-sheer insert here, a spliced hemline there. The devil was well and truly in the detail. 

• Colours: Black, white, grey, emerald green, peppermint, cornflower blue and musk pink. 
• Trends: White on white, crop tops, graphic prints, jogger style shorts and racer-necklines. 
• Key Looks: Pixelated watercolour graphics, sexy swimwear in classic shapes and fun prints and sophisticated shift dresses with sculpted hemlines.
• Accessories: ASOS ankle wrap and tie sandals, two-tone totes, oversized clutches, tie-up corset belts, multi-rings and slick metal arm cuffs worn at the bicep.

Aussie's love their cossies, and the global market loves what we do, too. Many an Australian designer has made their splash (sorry, couldn't help it) on the international stage thanks to our way with a sexy swimsuit. Zimmermann, We Are Handsome, Jets, and Lisa Blue are just some of the names that come to mind who are stocked — and sell well — on Net-a-Porter. So it's with anticipation that we want to see the next generation of cossie kings, or queens. The top line trends to take away? High-waisted bikini briefs are still a thing, scuba-styling and athletic one-pieces are set to be strong this Summer, prints remain digitally inclined and detailing takes from the fashion world with off-the-shoulder shapes, lace-up bodices, cut-outs and sheer insert have a grown-up effect on bikinis and one-pieces alike, bandeaus get sculptural and tongue in cheek logo prints raise a smile.

• Colours: Navy, camouflage-khakis, black and white, and shades of blue.
• Trends: Sporty scuba shapes and detailing, colour-blocking, off the shoulder shapes, and logo/placement prints. 
• Key Looks: Zip-fronted scuba bikini from Skye & Staghorn, colour-blocked '80s bikini from maidenlove and the kitty-print one-piece from Gypsea.
• Accessories: A bangin' bikini body and the confidence to pull off anything.

We're continuing down our sneek-peak path, offering up another pre-fashion week teaser  — this time from Talulah. This year will mark the first time that the local label has show swimwear at fashion week, increasing our curiosity tenfold for the Tuesday 12pm spot. We always find it fascinating to know what goes into putting on a fashion week show, so asked designer Kelli Wharton to get snap-happy with some of her pre-MBFWA preparations. From shooting the Spring/Summer '13-'14 campaign, to sourcing accessories for the show, to the all-important model casting, it's all interesting stuff. Take a have a look at her prep in pictures. 

Victoria's Secret released the third issue of its 2013 swim catalogue, titled "Summer of Sexy." And to showcase this latest round of swimwear, Candice Swanepoel, Alessandra Ambrosio, Erin Heatherton, and Maryna Linchuk took the beaches (once again) in a lineup of very sexy looks. From the curve-enhancing push-up iterations — complete with gold-chain detailing and lacy overlays — to the retro ruffle-trimmed suits, to the sportier floral-printed bandeaus and bottoms, this is the kind of warm-weather styling that actually applies, albeit with a much sexier VS tinge, to the getaways we'll we dreaming of when Winter hits. So if you've got surf, sun, and sand on your mind — and in your sights — then click on for a preview of the swim catalogue now, and shop the collection at Victoria's Secret. — Additional reporting by Marisa Tom

Zimmermann is rather big in the U.S of A, did you know? Which is why this home-grown fashion hero is releasing it's 2013-2014 Swim campaign now. You see it'll satisfy the shopping appetites of American fans of Zimmermann's famously-fabulous cossies, whilst filling the vacation-wear gap in the market for Australian customers. Clever, non? In line with this new global view, Zimmermann is sadly missing from MBFWA's 2013 schedule — and will instead show their S/S 2014 collection at New York fashion week this September. It follows then that the campaign was shot with a distinctly Aussie bent; local snapper Derek Henderson capturing the natural beauty of both the landscape, Capertree Valley just north of Sydney, and of fashion newbie Gabby Westbrook-Patrick. Zimmermann's signature prints find their way onto their swim separates for the first time, but the familiar cool-girl feminine aesthetic remains. 

Summer may be fading fast, but that doesn't mean that any of Tigerlily's charm got lost on us. The brand known for teeny-tiny bikinis, fills that tricky gap between Friday five pm and Monday nine am with considerable skill. Weekend-ready separates in oversized shapes mix it with prints and patterns that will make you look like you've just arrived back from Morocco/Mexico/the Maldives/insert any exotic locale. Add a touch of leather, some lush open weave knitwear and you've got the makings of one chilled out off-duty wardrobe. The gorgeous Georgina Fowler does a good job of making Minnamurra on the New South Wale's coastline look mighty inviting, as snapped (again) by Aussie super-snapper Jez Smith. Take a look.