On 20th July at the Raleigh hotel in Miami Beach, Florida Luli Fama threw her 7th Luli Fama catwalk show at the annual Mercedes-Benz fashion week swimwear jamboree. As you can see Luli's bikinis captivate the culturally rich and enigmatic nature of Miami now home to wealthy Latinos from all over South/Central America, Jews and old Republicans. It is not just a retirement home or an enclave for Cuban refugees.
If we watch re-runs of the hit show Miami Vice you'll see where Luli's collection draws inspiration from, the vast array of pastels and neon colors in addition to the hot, tropical patterns and prints conjure up scenes of aqua life, parrots and flamingos. When asked about her collection Luli (real name Lourdes) said “Paradise (Miami) is in our backyard and we are going to take you on an adventure full of color and life”. Luli didn't cut corners on style capsules there were monokinis, bikinis with matching flip flops, bikini onesies, cover-ups and bikini dresses, all made with light fabrics and enhanced exceptional detail in bright pinks and nuanced oranges.
The exuberance represents Luli's life growing up.The natural vibrancy of Miami shined through the collection. Luli's catwalk show initially opened up with individuals on stilts we also saw women in Carnival-esq feathery orange head dresses with boa snakes to add some 'caliente' to the mix. Miami is home to the best display of bikini wear, all you need to do is visit South Beach (SoBe). Over the years Miami managed to shrug off its image of being a B-list LA or a hub for services that revolve around the drug trade, money laundering (night club owners), bail bondsmen and attorneys who service the cartels to Spring break party zones and the nexus of music festivals. The Art Deco district is uber cool. From Miami Vice to Miami Nice; thanking Luli for a vivid and fun collection.
Monica Cummings