Triumph – Italian Swimsuit selection 2008

Triumph is a widely known line of lingerie and bathing suites. Their products are generally considered of higher quality with many handmade models. Pricing is well within the grasps of the middle class however some specialty items can be quite expensive. I found this line in the early 90s. They happen to have their headquarters in Trescore Balneario near my home in the Valle del Bergamasco. I came to appreciate their product line after doing some computer networking jobs in the production facility. I was able to observe their processes and quality controls first hand. They truly produce a quality product.

Without further comment, here is the selection for the 2008 Beach Fashion.

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Calzedonia – Italian Swimsuit selection 2008

Recently I presented the collection of La Perla. This is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. I write these articles for my female readers but I am not sure whether the men or the women appreciate them more. Calzedonia is a top line producer of women’s stockings and lingerie. Their price point is about 30% less expensive than the La Perla line and can be purchased both in stores and online. Without further comment I will let you decide if they are interesting or not. Please comment if you find something you like.

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La Perla – Bathing suites 2008 for Italian Beaches

Every year I have the opportunity to present a couple of beachwear designers. La Perla is known for its exclusive lingerie but the bathing suites and throws are none less titillating. Last year was all about bright colors. The 2008 line is soft fabrics with exotic prints. The natural tone colors almost disappear against a well tanned body. Most top and bottom sets combine complimentary colors. Subdued natural tones intertwine with bright natural coral and sea colors.

In line with the 60s look these suites do not offer support. They adorn more than shape. They are also somewhat skimpy and will not leave much to the imagination.

The exceptions have veil like bands that can be tied down the middle or cross-tied.

The solid color versions are finished with gold and silver metal borders. They are a more traditional look for the less eclectic.

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Italian Sunglasses 2007

“Tutti al mare, a mostrar le chiappe chiare!” Ferragosto is at hand and the Italians have deserted the cities for the beaches, the mountains and the province. The heat is unbearable and the sun is hot. An accessory that no respecting Italian will be without during the romps on the beach is a pair of sunglasses. When the clothes are reduced to a minimum and shoes turn into sandals the sunglasses may be the only fashion statement one can make.

Many will say they are health conscious. They will insist that the sun hurts there eyes, and for some this is true but that does not change the fact that many will spend several day’s pay and a couple of hours looking for just the right pair of glasses to filter the rays and create an aura of mystery. Italian designers use the same intensity to design their sunglasses as they do their trademark outfits. Each line represents the designer’s conception of balance, color and grace.

I wear Armani. I like the broader frames and the dark lenses. They give me a feeling of stability, something that will not break when a moment’s distraction sends them to the floor. Raffaella wears Gucci. She loves the deep dark lenses. The sun always bothers her eyes and she is very, very picky about her lenses. The fact that they also look really good is a great plus.

Versace has moved toward a thin or wire frame with lighter lenses and various colors. The Versace sunglasses take on more a futuristic look than actually reducing the sun’s glare.

Laura Biagiotti remains true to form playing with bright colors. Her designs are contemporary, perfect adaptations for the under 30 crowd. Feminine versions may also be adorned with crystals imbedded in the upper support or gold and silver highlights.

Gianfranco Ferre’ develops the futuristic look with a series that could be worn by the new James Bond. Sleek lines and moderate tints are his idea of the perfect pair of sunglasses.

These are my favorites of the summer’s fashion. They are the first look at the sunglasses that will continue through the winter when the sun’s glare is exaggerated by the first snows.

Tags: Beach Fashion Italian Designers Summer Fashion Sunglasses Fashion Accessories Travel Italy

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Women’s Fashion on the Riviera 2007 – Skin is In

Recently I wrote about the 2007 beachwear fashion tendencies promoted by the Italian designers. I truly expected to see a net move toward somewhat less revealing bathing suits and a return to colors and fabrics from the 60s. Well, the first big exodus from the cities to the beaches has come and gone and it looks like the designers have missed the season. I am definitely not complaining. The Italian Riviera reminds me of Carnival in Rio with lots of tanned skin as eye candy.

There is a difference between the beaches on the East and West coasts of Italy. The East coast, because of the shallow sea, are the favorite destinations of families and have a great nightlife for the under 21 crowd while the west coast and Sardegna are more adult. Many cities on the East coast have passed decency ordinances particularly in from Ancona to Pescara. In these areas, bring shorts and a shirt or the outfits designed to wear over the bathing suit. Even when strolling the boardwalk city officials will fine those considered to be showing too much skin.

I should also say that I was pleasantly surprised to see how many people did not mind having their pictures taken or even posing for a shot. Somehow I think this is going to be a great summer for those fortunate enough to vacation in Italy.

Tags: Women's Fashion Italian Designers Womens Spring Summer Beachwear href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fashion" rel="tag">Fashion Travel Italy

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Fendi – Italian Women’s Fashion Spring Summer 2007

The Italian Fashion group Fendi is best known for its accessories. Fendi has a wide range of accessories from shoes and bags to belts, jewelry, and household goods. The designs are traditional cuts with contemporary patterns and fabrics. I usually do not think of Fendi when considering shopping with Raffaella but a few things caught my eye this year. The 2007 Spring and Summer line picks up the 60s themes of the more traditional hippy. Flared tubes with stiff fabrics in bright and shiny colors are the recurring elements. The outfits all are super short but this follows the summer concept of beach and casual evening attire. The shoes are spiked sandals with leather latches. Purses are small and compact, again with the bright and shiny color schemes.



I like the flared tube short dresses. The lines are clean and playfully provocative. I guess it is the Easter Season, with colors of white and pink with lots of shiny designs, that makes me like these designs. I also appreciate the short skirts, even though I can imagine it is very difficult to wear anything this short, and solid lines. Perhaps the trick is to use these as covers, to and from the beach.


If there were a color that dominates the line it would be purple. When the color is purple the fabrics are softer tending toward knits. Big belts in shiny black leather and silver buckles complete the look.

All said and done, I like the look. I would love to see Raffaella with some of these designs but am not sure I would be as happy if she wore them out in public other than in a very summer atmosphere. The shoes are completely in line with my taste. The spikes and a minimal support structure around the foot let the feet shine in their own right while elongating the legs. The bags are too small. I would think that it would be a constant battle of “Where is the purse?” Finally I like the large and shiny belts. This is more true with the short skirts. I think that evidence the rest of the outfit.
Tags: Women's Fashion Italian Designers Fendi Milan href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fashion" rel="tag">Fashion Travel Italy

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Bikini – The most famous Baby Boomer turns 60

The most loved bathing suit turns sixty. First presented to the world at a swimming pool in Paris, France, by the mechanical engineer turned fashion designer Louis Re’ard on July 5th, 1946. The first model to show this two-piece wonder was Micheline Bernardine, a dancer from the Casino di Paris.

Named after the group of islands in the Pacific where 60 atomic bombs were tested the bikini proved to be just as volatile as the atomic test explosions in the Marshall Islands. Controversial from its birth, the designer hoped his new design would bring attention to the destructive power of atomic weapons. Although there is no documentation to support this I believe Re’ard designed the bathing suit with political intentions, scandalizing the world, without really believing that, the bikini could be worn by the public.

Scandal and controversy immediately abounded, within weeks of the launch, politicians, religious figures and other moralists condemned the bikini. It was too late, across the world movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner, and Brigitte Bardot, not only loved the bathing suit but, flaunted it across the media.

The motion picture industry may have protected the bikini during its first years of life but the bikini has returned the favor. Numerous actresses owe their fame to this ingenuous invention. The Swiss actress, Ursula Andress leaped to the front of the world stage following her role as a Bond Girl in “Bond 007 – License to Kill”, exiting the water in white bikini and knife in hand. Oscar winning Halle Berry, in “Bond 007 – Die Another Day”, pays homage to Andress exiting the water in an orange, shocking bright colors were in that year, bikini.

This Baby Boomer shows no signs of slowing down or quietly retiring to the history books. It is the number one favorite in every woman’s beach wardrobe. It changes from year to year, has a little touch up work done showing more or less, brash at times but always sexy and provocative. Perhaps this Baby Boomer is more radioactive than the atolls it was named after. Without a doubt it is much more famous. So, Happy 60th Birthday and in Italian tradition “100 years more!”

Tags: Beach Fashion Swimsuits Fashion Moda Fashion Italy

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Beach Fashion Summer 2006 – More is better

Time to get ready for the beach. Worried about those extra pounds?

This year’s tendency is for the fuller, rounder figure. Gone are the stick skinny bodylines. Bikinis have more cloth and appreciation for the curves is back.



Thank goodness, women can be women again. Bikinis also are following the trend, still with bright colors and interesting textures but black and white also have their place.




The one piece is also picking up share, they are not necessarily made with more cloth but they also have their place. These swimsuits are primarily found from the higher end designer but are getting more exposure.

One of my favorites is also making the beach scene this year, the pare’o or beach dress. The pare’o is a large rectangle usually made of light cotton or silk and can be wrapped to create numerous looks. A girl can throw this on and be ready for a night of dinner and dancing. I find the soft slinky textures extremely sexy and it reduces the down time of going back to the hotel to change.

Along with the bright colors and a few black or white schemes accessories are taking a 1950-1960s look. Large sunglasses and really wide brimmed hats are the fad. Finally, probably the most important accessory of all, the 45+ year old man is a necessity. On this one it may seem that I am attempting to increase my own addressable market but this is the way it is.
So prepare for you summer fun, bright colors, a silk pare’o, large dark sunglasses alla Sofia Loren, a white wide brimmed hat and of course a 45+ beaux to complete the look.

Tags: Beach Fashion Swimsuits Fashion Travel Italy

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