Swim Week is here again and Galore is down in Miami ready to sip cocktails by the pool, cruise down Collins Avenue, and of course, check out all the cool swim wear collections and bombshells on the beach! We got to sit down with four NYC designers that will be making a splash this season for Miami Swim Week 2014 .
Kimberly Smalls (Enjoue)
Describe your swimwear line in 3 words: Playful, Confident, Luxurious
What’re your must have’s/do’s when you’re in Miami: The Standard Hotel Pool and Spa is a MUST, for a night out I love LIV nightclub, and when dining I love the stone crabs at Joe’s or Monty’s.
What celebrity from past or present would be you most like to see in your swimwear and why: Candice Swanepoel because her body is amazing, Nicole Ritchie because she is a fashion icon, and Gwen Stefani because she’s all around bad ass!
If you could choose one destination anywhere in the world that best typifies your brand, where would it be and why: I would say its a duality between where my heart lies, which is in Ibiza, and my home in New York.
Katie Gallagher
Katie Gallagher
Describe your swimwear line in 3 words: Forward, Polished, Refined
What’re your must have’s/do’s when you’re in Miami: I’ve only been to Miami once…when I was 20…Must have is to enjoy myself and soak up the sun!
What celebrity from past or present would be you most like to see in your swimwear: It’s always cool to see the ways all sorts of people (not just celebrities) style and wear my pieces…I like inclusion.
If you could choose one destination anywhere in the world that best typifies your brand, where would it be: NYC! Everything about it comes from New York City (other than me!). So I can’t really imagine a better space for it, currently.
Picture from the Well Kept Autumn/Winter 2013 Lookbook
Brianna DeRose (Well Kept)
Describe your swimwear line in 3 words: Functional, Sexy, Minimalist
What’re your must have’s/do’s when you’re in Miami: Since I attended college in Miami, it’s always the best feeling to catch up with my good friends. My favorite restaurant is Zuma, I love Hyde and Katsuya and the SLS. Baoli has recently become a favorite of mine for a night out. To beat my Sunday hangover, La Piaggia or The Standard.
What celebrity from past or present would be you most like to see in your swimwear: Rihanna. She radiates a certain confidence in which building my brand, Well Kept, I am trying to capture in all the woman wearing my line.
If you could choose one destination anywhere in the world that best typifies your brand, where would it be: Bondi Beach, Australia- I think Australian fashion has really made an impact in the industry as a whole. I think they have really elevated the swim wear look in general. All the personal style blogs, and Australian Vogue have become true sources of inspiration for myself along with my brand.
Picture from Rica Spring/Summer 2013 Lookbook
Ava Sanjurjo (Rica)
Describe your swimwear line in 3 words: Sexual, Colorful and Fun
What’re your must have’s/do’s when you’re in Miami: Must have a cocktail at SL by the pool, have a gorgeous Cuban dinner, get myself a piece of jewelry at The Webster, and finally, I must wear my Rica bikini underneath my dress, because you never know when you need to take a dip.
What celebrity from past or present would be you most like to see in your swimwear: Kelly Lebrock from her Weird Science days. Her look and body were everything at that time. Her femininity kind of crushed you. Kelly would have been the Rica woman.
If you could choose one destination anywhere in the world that best typifies your brand, where would it be: Puerto Rico. Life over there is sexy, pure and simple. The beaches are everything and the people are spicy. It’s where we refresh our souls after a hectic season.