Hundreds Attend October Edition of Interfiliére New York

In October, companies from around the world participated in Interfiliére New York—the global sourcing event for swimwear, lingerie, athleisure and performance fabrics for the U.S. market. The event played host to exhibitors of fabrics, lace, embroideries and components, and included seminars on manufacturing solutions, trends for Season 2020, product design and other hot industry topics.

Highlights included the latest in performance products—from eco-sustainable, organic and recycled fabrics to those with suntan lotion-, oil-, chlorine- and UV-resistant properties.

Approximately 500 attendees, from designers to industry suppliers to production specialists and creative directors, were in attendance. Among those attending were such companies as Calvin Klein, Dana-co, Free People, GAP, Hanes, Komar, Montelle, Marc Jacobs, Victoria’s Secret and Wacoal.

Interfiliére New York is produced by Eurovet Americas, a subsidiary of Eurovet, the Paris-based leading trade show organizer for the international lingerie, swimwear and textile industries for the past 30 years. Eurovet Americas also produces the four Curvexpo shows, CURVENEWYORK and CURVELASVEGAS, the top lingerie/swimwear trade shows in North America. For more information, visit interfilierenewyork.com or curvexpo.com.

Manhattan Beachwear Appoints New CEO

Orange County, Calif.-based Manhattan Beachwear—one of the country’s leading manufacturers of swimwear and beachwear, including such renowned labels as LaBlanca, Bikini Lab, Maxine, Polo/Ralph Lauren, Trina Turk, Kenneth Cole/Kenneth Cole Reaction, Lucky, Hobie and BCBGMAXAZRIA—announced the appointment of Lindsay Shumlas to the position of CEO.

Shumlas, who holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and a BA from Michigan State University, joined Manhattan Beachwear as CFO in the fall of 2015, and was subsequently named COO as well. She previously was CFO at Matilda Jane, and held positions in the financial division at Vera Bradley. For more information, visit mbwswim.com

Sun ‘N’ Sand Expands Again

Last year at this time, Sun ‘N’ Sand introduced a line of hats for children called Sunny Dayz, which is already proving successful for trend-savvy kids, as well as their parents concerned with sun protection.

Now, based on the tremendous success of their Caribbean Joe headwear for women, Sun ‘N’ Sand is introducing the Caribbean Joe Men’s Collection. The extensive collection includes safari, fedora and various sun hat styles of paper braid and natural straw, many with coordinated printed linings and crown bands. All styles sport the Caribbean Joe signature logo. For more information, visit sunnsand.net.

Snapper Rock Names Lamphere as President

Snapper Rock—the award-winning brand of UPF50+ sun-protective beachwear for women, children and men, based in Auckland, New Zealand—appointed DeAnna Lamphere as president. She will be based in Florida. Lamphere, who brings more than 30 years of experience in various leadership roles for such top retailers as Nordstrom, will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, operational execution and growth strategies for the brand.

According to CEO Liz Eglinton, who founded the company in 2003, “Snapper Rock has had tremendous growth over the past 15 years. Lamphere’s wealth of knowledge and expertise in growth strategies and brand recognition will play a key role in driving long-term sales and profit growth of Snapper Rock, and we are elated to have her part of our team.”

“Snapper Rock has revolutionized the sun-protective swimwear category as well as raised awareness for sun safety for families across the world, all while delivering great fashion and quality,” said Lamphere. “I am thrilled to be part of such a passionate team. Liz and the entire Snapper Rock team have built a successful company with a deep commitment to sun safety and to their customers, with many strengths to leverage. I look forward to helping propel the brand even further.” For more information, visit snapperrock.com.

Guy Harvey Apparel Collection by Perry Ellis Debuts at Surf Expo

Attendees of the January 2019 Surf Expo at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., will have the opportunity to view the debut of the Guy Harvey collection of lifestyle apparel for men, women and children by Perry Ellis International (PEI).

PEI—the leading designer, distributor and licensor of a broad line of high-quality men’s and women’s apparel, accessories and fragrances—recently signed a global licensing agreement with the world-renowned artist, conservationist, scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Guy Harvey. The Guy Harvey apparel collection includes performance and lifestyle categories, including tees, technical fishing, headwear, sportswear, swimwear and layering pieces. “By combining great design with high-quality fabrics, this easy-to-wear collection gives you everything you need to be comfortable, whether you’re sportfishing, swimming or relaxing on the beach,” said Joel Blumenthal, president of PEI’s sportswear division.

Visitors to the Guy Harvey booth will also see a display of Dr. Harvey’s iconic ocean-inspired artwork, all of which is available for potential wholesale opportunities. PEI will contribute a portion of sales proceeds of Guy Harvey products to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, a non-profit organization which funds scientific research and educational initiatives. “We truly appreciate the support in our ocean conservation efforts,” said Dr. Harvey. “This is an incredible opportunity for both Guy Harvey Enterprises and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.”

PEI brands include Perry Ellis, An Original Penguin by Munsingwear, Laundry by Shelli Segal, Rafaella, Cubavera, Ben Hogan, Savane, Grand Slam, John Henry, Manhattan, Axist, Jantzen and Farah. The company also licenses trademarks from third parties, including Nike for swimwear, Callaway, PGA TOUR, Jack Nicklaus for golf apparel, and Guy Harvey for performance fishing and resortwear. For more information, visit pery.com

Season 2019 is swimwear with attitude – and lots of it. Glamour, sophistication and intrigue merge with innovations in silhouettes and fabrications. More now than ever, from the simplest to the most elaborate – detail means everything.  There is no such thing as basic anymore. Fit, durability and control are all essential elements but it’s the details that turn heads. Highlighted here are some of the most exquisite swimwear styles of the season which all serve to bring mystique and beauty beachside.

From GOTTEX Couture, a plunge monokini is stacked with details from the lustrous fabric to the shirring and pleating enhancements to the showstopping macramé design at center.

Dressed to kill, KYA Swim marries a beautiful blush solid with striking black in this peekaboo crossover high-neck maillot.

BAHIMI’s brilliant yellow itsy-bitsy bikini incorporates striking gold-toned ornamentation to make this suit truly chic and provocative.

There’s nothing basic about this high-neck maillot from ROBIN PICCONE. Intricately detailed textures meet with crocheted mesh in three rich solid shades. Ties at back.

GOTTEX Couture turns basic into WOW with the addition of a retro-inspired mesh caplet with ruffled hem trimmed in pleated satin.

It’s all in the color. AMORESSA’s plunge halter maillot in rich royal blue is accentuated with a pair of silver-colored rings and tie detail.

High fashion meets extreme function in DUSKII’s long-sleeved rash guard two-piece with high-waisted self-tie bottom. Bold stripes accented with solids, this style performs double duty as swimwear and activewear. Add a skirt or shorts for beach to streetwear.

MILONGA’s shocking red two-piece features flirty ruffles and crocheted stitching details at top and bottom.

This high-neck black and white two-piece by SKYE is perfect for an active lifestyle with mirrored striped band detail, clean lines and built-in sophistication.

MIRACLESUIT’S surplice maillot in black is accented with beautifully engineered florals and shimmering metallics. 

By N. Jayne Seward

Sustainability, hybridization and performance are just a few of the overarching trends shaping swimwear for Season 2020. Creating beachwear that meets the demands of today’s consumers is more challenging than ever, and that means suppliers have to be innovative. We checked in with some of the swim industry’s top suppliers to find out what fabrics, textures, colors and prints are trending and leading the way for the upcoming season.

Maredimoda

MILLENNIALS & THE EVOLVING MARKETPLACE

At the recent MAREDIMODA event held in Cannes, trend forecasting experts David Shah and Anne Marie Commandeur presented a preview of the major swimwear, intimate and athleisure trends with the launch of the MarediModa Trend eBook. Swim trends for 2020 range from high-tech sensory stimulation and bold digital prints, to opulent Art Deco-inspired designs and provocative silhouettes fit for a swim activist. Overall, the message is that we are in a time of change, and there has been a shift from specialized to hybridized design—the merging of distinctly different categories and design components. Athleisure opened the door for disruption by bridging the gap between activewear and leisurewear. Now the lines are blurred as the hybrid design concept crosses over to such categories as swimwear and intimates, creating a versatile fusion that offers more options for consumers. Shah and Commandeur identify four swimwear trend categories for 2020:

• Paradise Found: eliciting sensory stimulation through digitally generated patterns, which blur the line between real and illusionary
• Activism: using fashion to communicate rather than to simply cover up or provide pseudo enhancements
• Deco Lux: Art Deco-inspired fabrics that express excitement, exclusivity and individuality
• Iconic: a new twist on retro classics, with modern performance features and characteristics

In part, the market is shifting as a response to Millennials and Gen Xers, who are demanding more from brands than ever before. “These consumers want it all, and they’re willing to pay a little more for it,” says Pierluigi Berardi, vice president of global marketing and R&D for NILIT. This global producer and marketer of high-quality 6.6 nylon fibers created Sensil to answer the demand for beautiful, high-quality, multi-functional fabrics. Benefits include comfort enhanced by Sensil Breeze and Sensil Heat fabrics, which provide cooling and warming effects. Performance and environmental responsibility are teamed up in Sensil EcoCare fabrics; Sensil Aquarius provides drying capabilities, and Sensil Innergy has unique energizing effects.

Hyosung

PERFORMANCE IS PARAMOUNT

Seoul, Korea-based HYOSUNG CORPORATION, the leading global textile manufacturer offering top-selling creora performance-driven fabrics for swimwear and beachwear, highlights three key trends for 2020. Alluring and refreshing, the “Horizon” direction features retro-inspired prints, strong graphics, and textures including openwork jacquards. Beach-to-street dressing is key, and there is a strong focus on sustainability, utilizing recycled synthetics and low-heat-setting creora eco-soft fabrics. The “Enlightened” direction utilizes second-skin fabrics that offer high compression and strong shaping effects; creora highclo offers super chlorine resistance and power retention, while creora Color+ enhances colors that range from subtle to vibrant and overtly glamorous. Inspired by the active lifestyle, the “Soul” trend offers high-level performance, including quick dry and UV protection. A “surfer dude” mood is carefree yet conscientious, reflected through softly aged and sustainable fabrics created with energy-saving processes and recycled yarns.

Pine Crest

PINE CREST FABRICS utilizes creora highclo in its Spectrum Pro Matte Tricot fabric line in bold solids, including watermelon, turquoise, bright pink, purple, royal, teal and black. Based in Portland, Ore., the family-owned and -operated company’s key trends for 2020 range from “Retro” influences to “Globetrotter” ethnic-inspired prints for the luxury swimwear market. A “Floral and Leafy Greens” trend combines nature and technology, creating statement botanicals; visualize chic floral prints with bold, distorted and pasted flower motifs in saturated colors. Cloudy and blurred patterns are utilized in “Abstract Fusion” to offer dreamy prints as an alternative to tie-dye; think ’90s revival and acid-house effects. Sustainability is embraced in the “Eco and Naturals” trend, with a shift to natural qualities and simple, timeless appeal.

EUROJERSEY’s high-performance Sensitive Fabrics swimwear collection for 2020 is characterized by four creative themes, which accentuate a modern concept of femininity. They range from “Beating,” which features an elegant animal-inspired theme, expressed with three-dimensional textural effects and light-dark contrasts; to “Whispering” in soft, delicate pastel shades and foliage motifs, which reflect relaxation and a peaceful existence between man and nature. Modern art and luminous colors and patterns merge in a fun, energetic spirit that characterize “Swinging.” Finally, the “Parley” trend, inspired by the “Parley for the Oceans” movement promoting ocean preservation, is functional and sporty, with ocean-influenced prints ranging from shades of sand to a full spectrum of blues.

SUSTAINABILITY IS KEY

Many companies are focusing on sustainability, including 85-year-old Italian textile company TESSITURA TAIANA VIRGILIO, which has a tradition of excellence and a historical commitment to ethical and environmentally friendly production practices.

The increasing demand for eco-friendly fabrics prompted MAGLIFICIO RIPA to invest in and develop its “Earth” collection, which debuted at MarediModa last November. Created from an intensive design and development process, the collection includes fibers such as the premium, high-performance and highly modern Roica EcoSmart; the Fulgar-patented Evo yarn, made from organic 100% Nylon; and the Qnova by Ripa range of fabrics, made with recycled nylon. Sensil Ecocare by Nilit Fibers is currently under development.

Texollini

Los Angeles-based TEXOLLINI’s specialty is fine-gauge knitting, and its premiere offerings include its Superfino and Ultrafino fabric brands. According to Sherry Wood, Texollini’s director of merchandising, the top trends are sustainable fabrics, textured mini jacquards and ribs, and new takes on 20th-century styles. Eco-minded, next-generation consumers are inspiring a focus on sustainability. Texollini is offering Repreve Nylon and Polyester for swimwear, and brands are utilizing its recycled cotton/Tencel blends for resort wear and beach cover-ups. “Trendsetters are utilizing textured jacquard patterns, both tonal and two-toned, to create surface interest with ribs in all sizes, blending stripes with prints to craft novelty swim styles that pop,” says Wood. Retro styles from the ’80s and ’90s continue as a strong influence, with shiny fabrics, surface textures, and high-cut suits in bright colors and neons.

As customers demand fashion with function, beachwear takes on multiple roles. Not just for covering up, these versatile fashions take her from the beach to the dockside café and everywhere in between. Essential accessories add interest and fun with a purpose!

Lightweight and free flowing, MIRACLESUIT’s V-neck pullover caftan of 100% cotton in a mixed Aztec with flora print of classic black and white with tassel fringe adds just the right amount of coverage.

Take anywhere tote bag by MAGID Accessories features side fringe and horizontal rows of sparkling sequins for a versatile yet elegant look.

Black and white stripes encircle the crown of MAGID Accessories’ bucket hat atop a striking white brim in classic understated style.

Glitzy rhinestone ovals are linked together atop black suede straps in these fashionable sandals by CAPRI GIRL with Italian leather soles.

IN2 DESIGN’s Madeleine necklace features blue agate faceted beads, a tassel of cubic zirconia crystals topped with an oxidized silver fill cap joined together with a freshwater pearl.

The bandeau bright-floral maxi dress by ANTIGEL is constructed of soft polyester blend for wear anywhere comfortable style.

Coral stripes orbit SUN ‘N’ SAND’s Alisha paperbraid hat with 4″ brim and frayed tassel trim.

Words of wisdom – “Fun” and “Relax” scroll across SUN ‘N’ SAND’s colorful beach tote with flip flop motif and striped handles.  This bag is destined to put a smile on anyone’s face.

A cluster of pearls and an aqua agate dangle from this long necklace crafted with Japanese ultra-suede cord by IN2 DESIGN.

Create your own design in footwear by CAMBIAMI. Choose a base – flat or wedge in basic or metallic shades or cork and easily interchange one of 21 uppers in various styles and shades.

LISE CHARMEL’s slip-on maxi dress of polyamide blend in soft ivory is accented with feminine embroidered lace and lined to the knee.

CAMBIAMI’s line of changeable sandals feature a section of soles with 21 stylish uppers in a variety of colors and patterns – shown here in cork.

Colorful as they are ornate – earrings by RANJANA KHAN will be the guaranteed focal point when worn with any ensemble.

See the world through green colored glasses with SMOKE X MIRRORS’ cat eye shades offering supreme eye protection in purrfect style.

Large versatile “Charlotte” tote by LISI LERCH is roomy enough to hold all personal effects, featuring a wide white ribbon and bow accented with starfish ornament and leather handles.