Azura News  

Women’s Swimwear at Azura

It’s been so busy here at Azura Swimwear recently, from the all the publicity our women’s swimwear designers have been getting in various magazines to the introduction of new women’s swimwear styles to our collection, there hasn’t been a dull moment!

Lifestyle Azura has certainly been seeing a fair amount of the action too. If you haven’t had a chance to stop by recently, here’s a recap of some of our most recent posts:

Sauvage Swimwear Press 

Women’s designer swimwear label Sauvage has caught the attention of four illustrious women’s fashion magazines including Vogue, Cosmo, In Style and Sports Illustrated. In fact, our very own Jade Mountain 2 by Sauvage Swimwear was the swim suit featured in Cosmo. If you’d like shop for Jade Mountain 2, or check out the entire Sauvage Swimwear range we have here at Azura, click here! You can also read our Bikini of the Week post on Jade Mountain 2 right here.

Bikini of the Week 

During the last month, we’ve featured some sizzling hot women’s swimsuits in our Bikini of the Week series. If you missed out, make sure to read our articles on the gorgeous Cobalt Crystal bikini by Sauvage Swimwear, the super cute and feminine Mod Floral Mint swim suit by Birdie Jo Swimwear and of course the cool In Uniform two piece swim suit by Red Carter.

Sports Illustrated 2008 

And last, but certainly not least, the last couple of weeks have been an extravaganza of Sports Illustrated fever! The 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, in case you didn’t know, was recently released and inside we were pleased (but not surprised!) to find many of our women’s swimwear designers featured. Beach Bunny Swimwear, Birdie Jo, Red Carter and Sauvage Swimwear all made appearances, with Beach Bunny in particular raking up a whopping nine features. If you’d like to shop for Beach Bunny Swimwear, or any of our other Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue brands, make sure to click here! You can also find our entire collection of women’s designer swimwear by clicking here.

We also wrote some great articles about the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. To read one about Beach Bunny click here, for Azura’s swimwear designers click here, and for in-depth journey through the magazine click here.

The next few weeks are looking to be equally as exciting as the precious ones. We’ve got our Birdie Jo - Designer of the Month series coming up very shortly. I’ve been chatting to Birdie Jo Swimwear designers Rebecca Fink and Kate Richter over the last month to get the lowdown on what it’s like to be the designers (and co-founders) of one of the hottest upcoming women’s swimwear labels we’ve seen for years… It’s a great interview, so make sure to drop by soon!
As we approach the middle of March, the bright, gleaming sun of summer is so close you can see it… and it’s going to be sizzling hot, we can just feel it! If you haven’t had a chance to check out our beautiful range of designer women’s swimwear yet, make sure to take a look now. There’s definitely a swim suit there (or two!) that you’ll fall in love with… and just in time for summer!

Happy shopping!

Vacation Love  

Vacation Love

There’s no doubt about it, the world is a beautiful place. From its lush, green rainforests to its sun-soaked, wind-swept deserts, the diversity and beauty of our planet is, in one word, breathtaking.

But while craggy mountaintops and country prairies afford much beauty, there’s something so magical about the meeting of earth and sea. Perhaps it’s the awe of two such indomitable forces. Or maybe it’s just the water, an element which covers more than 70 percent of the earth and remains to this day untamed and largely unknown. Save for the beaches (where our journey next takes us) the sea is still a mystery…

But, like all good mysteries, we want to know more!

Part One: The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches

Watch out for the first installment of our series and take a journey with us as we head to some of the world’s most awe-inspiring beaches. Just don’t forget to pack your favorite swimsuit… or even better, your whole swimwear collection! It’s always better to be safe than sorry…

So come with us and delve into another world where all you have to think about is sandy white beaches, turquoise-colored water and which swimsuit you’re going to wear next…

Sounds nice, doesn’t it?!

View Our Vacation Swimwear Collection

Azura News  

Selling swimwear online…

One of the best things about the internet is the range of different people you get to meet, and from all around the world.

Here at Azura Swimwear, we have customers stationed throughout the United States, as well as Europe, South America, Asia and Australia. It’s incredibly interesting from a geographical viewpoint, particularly as your mind wanders to these holiday destinations far and wide.

For me, it’s inspiring to think about the different lives that we all lead, the different cultures that we live in and all the different experiences we have as a result.

But what I love most is being able to share mutual interests, passions and loves with each other, in spite of the distances between us. Having spoken to many of our customers, swimwear is one of those things.

I know my partner feels the same way and we actually talk about it often. She tells me of customers who have come across a particular swimwear designer during their travels, like Maya Swimwear, and have fallen in love with the brand. Then, upon returning home, haven’t been able to find it again and have only been able to find it again online. People are just so happy, she tells me, once they have, and it’s great to be part of that experience, to get a little giddy about the swimsuits with them. It’s like discovering the particular swimsuit or swimwear brand all over again.

View Our Maya Collection 

I think swimwear more than anything can cause you to fall hopelessly in love with a brand, or a particular cut. It is so sensual and sexy, and especially with designer swimwear, so striking.

I myself often speak with people living in other parts of the globe who haven’t come across some of our designer swimwear labels before. Their love of our designer swimwear collections and their appreciation of the different swimwear styles crystallizes my decision to work in this industry, and makes me appreciate it all the more. It’s such a pleasure to be able to bring something from one part of the world, like Beach Bunny from the US, and offer it to someone living in a completely different part, like in Denmark.

I have some friends living in Sydney, Australia, a fashion-conscious, swimwear savvy city who were blown away by the swimwear they saw on azuraswimwear.com. There are some gorgeous swimwear labels based in Australia (don’t worry, they’re coming soon!), so I can only take that as the biggest of compliments. But again, it was great to share something different with them, swimwear styles that would be so at home within the white sand beaches of Sydney, but equally unique too.

One girlfriend in particular couldn’t stop talking about Spellbound by Beach Bunny Swimwear. I even got an email from her at 2am about it! It just goes to show what passion beautiful swimwear can evoke in people!

View Our Beach Bunny Collection  

We will be expanding our designer swimwear collection in the very near future, and with swimwear brands from all around the world, including Brazil and Italy. But true to our ethos, only the very best brands and the finest designer swimwear collections.

I look forward to speaking to more of you and to sharing with you a love for gorgeous designer swimsuits…

To view our designer swimwear collection, click here now.

Bikini of the Week  

Black Signature Cut by Maya Swimwear

Our very first ‘bikini of the week’ was the Jade Mountain 2, an adorable white bikini by Sauvage swimwear.

Well this week, black is back.

The Black Signature Cut by Maya Swimwear is a swimsuit must-have. It’s like the equivalent of your little black dress - every girl needs one and it turns heads every time.

Like white bikinis, there’s something so eye-catching about a plain black bikini. It has a purity of color that is striking in its simplicity. But while white is demure, black is bold. It commands attention and is undeniably sexy.

Your little black dress… in a bikini

View Maya, Black Signature Cut Details

When it comes to designer swimwear, Maya is the clear-cut winner for signature cuts and just what you’re looking for in your quintessential black bikini. The swimsuit design is strong enough to hold its own and is unique and special in its own right (as you’ll see, it comes in a range of different colors). But it’s not over the top and doesn’t need embellishments to dazzle - it let’s the colors truly shine. Add in the black and you’ve got one killer bikini that suits absolutely any skin tone.

This gorgeous black bikini by Maya Swimwear has a sliding triangle top with adorable ruffled trim (Maya does love its ruffles… and so do we!) as well as neck and back ties. The bottom has an alluring hipster shape at the front and a cute brazilian bikini cut at the back. You’ll get more coverage than your typical brazilian bikini, but definitely less than an American bikini. It’s playful and very flattering.

And when it comes to the small details, Maya is queen - the back has a ruched inner-seam with a diamond dip that is absolutely to die for. While the front is also ruched and comes with a ruffled trim (what did I say about Maya swimwear and ruffles?!)

Maya Swimwear is an undeniable celebrity favorite, as is its ‘Signature Cut”. The Signature Cut has been seen on Fergie, Jessica Alba, Linsday Lohan and Vanessa Minillo, to name a few, and each seem to have a couple of bikinis in each color. Be sure to check out our “Designer Bio” section for pictures of these celebrities in their favorite Maya swimsuits.

So until next week, we pay our respects to this beautiful black bikini and thank Maya Swimwear for its wonderful work … Thank you Maya, and black bikini, we love you.

To purchase the Black Signature Cut by Maya Swimwear, click here.

Spotted  

2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue: An Inside Peak

Designer Swimwear buyer Yasmin Newman takes us on a journey through the world’s most coveted and highly anticipated swimsuit lineup of the year…

It’s that time of year again, that time we’ve all been waiting for. Yes, the release of the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is finally here!

And what a truly spectacular year this year is. The 2008 edition takes us round the world once again, from the historic city of St. Petersburg in Russia to a rainforest hideaway in Maui, Hawaii, scouting out the sexiest locations you could dig up. And amongst some perennial favorites, we also meet the new girls on the block - the 2008 Sports Illustrated Rookies.

So let’s take a look inside, and savor the sights (not to mention the incredible swimsuits) found in this year’s 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue…

Sports Illustrated 2008: The Cover

Landing the cover of Sports Illustrated is something like winning the jackpot in Vegas, or receiving a gold medal at the Olympics. It is the ultimate prize. But unlike Vegas, it’s not all about luck. Marissa Miller, this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covergirl, is testament to this. Having modeled swimwear for years, and for some of the industries most illustrious swimwear designers including Sauvage Swimwear, Marissa Miller has definitely earned her stripes. Shot on location in St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Miss Miller sparkles against a sunset backdrop wearing only an Anna Kosturova swimsuit bottom and glittering jeweled necklaces by Badgley Mischka and Mary Louise Designs.

The 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models

This year we see the return of swimwear sirens Bar Rafaeli (current girlfriend of Leonardo di Caprio), Jessica White, Brooklyn Decker, Julie Henderson, Oluchi Onweagba, Anne V., Anna Beatriz Barros, Tori Praver, Irina Shayk, Selita Ebanks, Daniella Sarahyba and of course, covergirl Marissa Miller.

We were also lucky enough to meet a total of seven new blossoming beauties, also known as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Rookies. From American born Quiana Grant, Melissa Haro and Melissa Baker, to Hawaiian beauty Jarah Mariano, Perth, Australia girl Jessica Gomes, as well as Brazilian babes Yasmin Brunet and Jeisa Chiminazzo, this year’s newest talent certainly gives some our previous favorites a run for their money!

And let us not forget the special guest appearances by the NFL cheerleaders, Indycar driver Danica Patrick, the four wives of sporting stars Jeff Gordon, La La Vazquez, Carmella Garcia and Johnny Damon, actor-comedian Will Ferrell and long-time Sports Illustrated favorite Heidi Klum.

The Locations

Sports Illustrated wouldn’t be Sports Illustrated without red-hot destinations so tempting you’d want to pack up your bags right now and jump on the first plane outta here! And this year’s trail blaze around the globe is no different. The journey begins in the historic city of St Petersburg in Russia were Russian born models Anne V. and Irina Shayk give us a guided tour around town. We next head to Israel to pay a visit to Caesarea and the enchanting Dead Sea where models Brooklyn Decker, Julie Henderson, Jessica Gomes and Tel-Aviv native Bar Rafaeli are kind enough to show us the sights.

After a 70s themed extravaganza and dance about town with funny man Will Ferrell and model Heidi Klum, Sports Illustrated heads to Lahana, Maui where models Jessica White, Tori Praver and Jarah Mariano show how to enjoy life Hawaii style. And this year, Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos play backdrop to the stunning yearly showcase of ‘Body Paint’ executed by world-renowned body painter Joanne Gair, while St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands offers a water wonderland for models Oluchi Onweagba, Melissa Baker, and covergirl Marissa Miller.

Heidi Klum and Will Farrel, Red Carter Swimwear

View our Red Carter Swimwear Collection

Next stop is Singer Island, Florida where Indycar driver Danica Patricks swaps her racecar leathers for some sexy bikinis, before Sports Illustrated heads to Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands for a bit of pirate warfare with models Daniella Sarahyba, Melissa Haro and Selita Ebanks.

And last but not least, we journey to San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua to watch Ana Beatriz Barros, Jeisa Chiminazzo and Quiana Grant frolick in the sun before ending the world tour back in Maui in Haiku. Models Jessica White and Yasmin Brunet bid us adieu from their hideaway tucked away in the beautiful rainforest, and while it is sad to see the journey finish, it is the perfect ending to a whirlwind tour.

The 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuits

And now to our favorite part - the swimsuits!
Did you know that around 30 percent of readers who buy the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue are women? Yes, we women all love to dream about beautiful beach destinations and island getaways, and we certainly won’t deny that we don’t enjoy admiring the gorgeous Sports Illustrated swimsuit models. But when you boil it down, we’re in it for the swimwear!

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has become somewhat of a bible for those interested in the ‘what’s hot’ of designer swimwear, so let’s take a look at this year’s swimwear designer lineup…

This year’s top favorite would have to be Beach Bunny Swimwear, followed very closely by Delfina Swimwear, Pompei Beach and Luli Fama. Red Carter, Zoe NYC, Debbie Wilson for Maui Girl, Ashley Paige for Girls Gone Wild, Becca by Rebecca Virtue, Domani and Letarte Swimwear all put on a good show with a couple of features as did Sugar Free, La Perla Mare, Perry Ellis, Chio di Stefania D, Badgley Mischka Swimwear and Anna Kosturova.

Lady Lace by Beach Bunny Swimwear

View Our Beach Bunny Collection

Amongst others Ondademar, Betsey Johnson, Emamo, Birdie Jo Swimwear, Maryan Mehlhorn, Pursuit, Melissa Odabash, Agua Bendita, Sauvage Swimwear, Karla Colletto, La Isla Courture, Vicky Moreinis Swimwear, Salinas Swimwear, Lenny, Cia Maritima, Aquarelle, Vix Swimwear, Lunazul, Juicy Couture, Aqua di Lara, Shay Todd, Lisa Lozano, Eberjey, Omo Norma Kamali, Trina Turk, V Del Sol and Diva were all featured.

But with so many great designers, not to mention swimsuit styles, there’s not enough time in a day! For a full list of the swimwear designers featured in the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, visit www.si.com. And make sure to check out the 2008 issue for yourself to choose your favorite designers and designer swimsuits.

So until next year, Sports Illustrated leaves you with some very pleasant thoughts…

© Yasmin Newman
Yasmin Newman is a swimwear buyer for online retail store Azura Swimwear.
www.azuraswimwear.com