Last week Dolores Cortes put two fingers up at the painful Spanish economic recession. The Barcelona-based fashion line presented its edgy, jungle, punk-infused swim wear and bikini collection at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The Raleigh hotel in Miami was full of body hugging, bikini clad beach bum swim wear models; a much needed deflection from the current 'stand your ground' media frenzy. Most models sported dramatic eye make-up, tossled, textured and wavy hair. Large gold, hand made luxe enamel necklaces adorned their slender necks. The cheers from onlookers became louder when the triangle bikini with gold studs paraded up and down the runway. Fashion Thirst's press team were all in agreement about the 'two suits' swimming costume come bikini (visually a bikini from behind and a swimming costume from the front - they are called 'Monokinis'). The bright tassled-fringes, lace trim, low-cut and plunging neck line with rain forest type attached three dimensional cut-out flowers made us excited. The bold colours and graphics put us in the holiday mood. South Beach witnessed the 'Esperanza', creativity and resilience of the Spanish. Cortes's collection was well received.
Written by Monica Cummings Ba Hons., MA