Girls Night of Fun: Do a Sexy Swimwear Photo Shoot

There’s a reason models look like they are having so much fun during swimwear photo shoots.  They are!  Great bikinis, great locations, great poses…what’s not to love?  Well, you don’t have to be a model to get in on the excitement.  Grab your best gal pals and create your own sexy photo shoot.

A quick word of caution, however.  We live in a very digital age where information and pictures can spread online like wildfire.  Be very careful who you show or send the pictures to and think twice before posting them on Facebook or any other social network.  This is an activity to be done only with the friends you know and trust.  The goal is to have fun, not have your future boss checking out your pictures online or your ex-boyfriend texting them to all his friends.

To replicate a swimwear photo shoot, you need three things (besides, of course, a camera!) The first is sexy designer swimwear.  It’s easy to get in the mood to pose when wearing something that makes you look and feel like you belong on the cover of Cosmopolitan.  Complete your look with a tussled mane and artfully applied makeup.  Consider taking it up a notch by visiting a day-spa for professional makeup and hairstyling.

The next thing you need is a location.  Shooting in public places like a shopping mall is clearly not a good idea.  Choose a location that will not draw unnecessary crowds.  A bedroom, a private pool or a quiet section of beach will suffice.

Third, you need to pose.  Let yourself go and really get into it.  After all, you are among friends!  Don’t just sit with your hands in your lap staring self consciously into the camera.  If you are not sure how to pose, check out some swimwear ads before hand or look at the pictures on this website.  Notice how the ladies are sexy and confident without being lewd or shy.  Stare down that camera!  Work your best angles.  Smile, pout, and toss your hair.

There are many reasons to do a fun, sexy photo shoot.  Girls night out (in!), stagettes, and birthday parties, to name a few.  Be sure to do a group photo to wind up your day-as-a-model fun.

You don’t need a professional photographer to make you look great when wearing designer swimwear from Azura.  These specialized suits with their globally sourced embellishments, beautiful colors, and stretchable fabrics turn any woman from the girl-next-door to sexy swimwear model.  So choose your suit, grab your camera, and go have some fun!

by Nerissa McNaughton

The Sports Illustrated 2010 Swimwear Edition features not one, not two, but three of most beautiful designer swimsuits from Maaji swimwear.  As the uncontested leader in what is hot, new, exciting and sexy in the world of designer swimwear, Sports Illustrated is the go to magazine to surf the latest swimsuit trends.  As a retailer and fan of this extremely popular brand, Azura is pleased congratulate Maaji on being selected by Sports Illustrated to show three of their signature styles.

The beautiful Cintia Dicker models Maaji’s Yellow Dianthus and shows how beautifully the bold colors of orange, pink, purple, yellow and blue can come together.  Harnessing the vibrant retro pattern on the top is an earthy border with a delicately stamped pattern.  The yellow neck tie matches the bikini bottom, which is accented with a hip hugging band in the same vivacious retro print of the top.  Cintia looks right at home relaxing on the beach in this figure-hugging two-piece since Yellow Dianthus is as comfortable as it is striking.

Zoe Duchesne simply smolders in a brown reversible Maaji bikini.  This sexy and suggestive stunner makes its point in light brown with subtle hints of pink on the bikini top.  Pink is not the only purely feminine accent.  Two brown bows sit at the base of the top’s straps and a wispy ruffle stretches from hip to hip.  Photographed against a background of towering stone, Zoe demonstrates how powerful and sexy the color brown can be.

Alas Acquaticae! That phrase sounds so filled with romantic longing, doesn’t it?  No doubt, that is why Maaji gave that name to the suit modeled by Julie Ordon.  The briefest peek at Alas Acquaticae fills the mind with thoughts of romance and longing.  The perfect shade of blue on the ruffled straps and hinted at over the hips makes one long for the blue expanse of the rolling ocean.  The inconspicuous bow nestled in the top’s center is soft, pretty and hints at a vulnerability just longing to be tamed.  The complimenting patterns accented with the just right amount of orange make this bikini a work of art.  Julie reclines gracefully in a bedroom showing that the Alas Acquaticae is every bit as romantic as lingerie.

Top designers trust us to represent their finest creations and that is why The Yellow Dianthus and Alas Acquaticae are available right here at Azura’s Sports Illustrated Swimwear section!  Click on the “As Seen In” link on the top of this page and then on Sports Illustrated to view photos from the Sports Illustrated shoot as well as information on how you can own these two beautiful bikinis.

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A How-to-Guide:

How to become a swimsuit designer

Ever wondered how swimwear designers got started? Here’s a few tips and pointers in the right direction…

How did they do it? It seems like one of the best jobs around, and obviously there’s a large amount of natural talent involved, but how do swimwear designers actually become swimwear designers? And can anyone do it?

Believe me, I asked myself these questions a lot when I first started out in the industry. Like many of us, I also harbored a secret desire to one day design my own range of swimwear. In fact, I still do. But, like anything, it takes a lot of hard work, and timing can be key. Designer swimwear is a niche market, and simply stated, only the best of the best survive. So while you may have a brilliant idea, this doesn’t necessarily equal success.

Starting out

The first step is to learn as much as you can. Like any profession, the more you know, the more valuable you are. I may not be a swimwear designer yet, but I certainly know a lot about swimwear. Be diverse in your knowledge base - knowing what’s hot in swimwear this season isn’t going to get you far. If you’re really serious about becoming a swimwear designer, research and familiarize yourself with all aspects of the swimwear business. Learn how to design, learn about swimsuit fabrics, understand the financial aspects of designer swimwear. The opportunities and the wealth of knowledge at your fingertips is limitless, all you need is a little creativity and determination.

Getting a little heavy sounding? Well it is. But you needn’t get put off yet. Starting small, working on one element at a time and taking each part as it comes is the best way to go. All swimwear designers, including the most talented in the industry, all started somewhere, and bar a few, they usually started out small. My advice? Start by nominating a goal, like knowing all the American swimwear designers, then work towards it. Once you have achieved this, choose another one, like knowing all the European designer swimwear, and work towards this one. Becoming a swimwear designer is a process, and what you’ll be surprised at, even after a short period of time, is how much progress you’ve made. By breaking the task into small parts, you make the job of becoming a swimwear designer much more manageable and much less daunting.

Could you be the next women’s swimwear industry success?

I’ve had a lot of contact with a whole range of swimwear designers over the years, and they all say, no matter what their beginnings have been, that perseverance and patience is paramount.

Like the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you can’t expect to be the hottest new swimwear designer just because you want to be. That being said, a healthy amount of self-confidence will take you a long way - and believe me, if you’re truly serious about becoming a swimwear designer, you’re going to take a couple of blows. A thick skin is also a must - you’re going to endure a lot of criticism, not matter how good a swimwear designer you are.

Constructive Criticism & Networking

Whether it’s constructive criticism or caused by jealousy, learning to distinguish between the two is skill you’ll need to quickly develop. But if you can do this, and all the best swimwear designers mastered this early in their careers, then you’ll be the better for it. Maximize the situation and take advantage of the advice you’re being offered by other, more experienced swimwear designers.

Networking is also really important. While the designer swimwear and fashion industry is highly competitive, you’ll be surprised how willing some swimwear designers are to share their advice and give you some swimwear tips in the right direction. Try finding a mentor, or do an internship with an established swimwear designer. The skills you’ll develop under their guidance will be invaluable and also, priceless.

Designing your own range

Here it is, the moment you’ve been waiting for. It’s now time to design your very own range of women’s swimwear. But will all the hard work and time waiting pay off? Well if you’ve put in the effort, there’s a good chance you’ll see the results. But that’s no guarantee. Unfortunately, starting your own line of designer swimwear involves a fair amount of capital. Designing swimwear may be fun, but at the end of the day it is a business and it needs to make money. At a basic level, there’s the production costs of actually making the swimwear, for example, the price of fabric and the labor to produce the swimwear. Then, if you’re really serious, you’re going to need money to market your women’s swimwear label. Whether we’d like to admit it or not, swimwear design is a hype, marketing and promo-driven world, and even the best swimwear designers rely on a bit of good ol’ fashioned advertising.

Finding a business partner, or an investor, is a good way of raising capital to start your swimwear label. To be taken seriously, it’s probably best if you put together a business plan, and even design and make a small collection of swimwear. If you’ve been working towards the goal of becoming a swimwear designer for some time now, you’ve most likely already been designing swimwear for friends and colleagues. If not, it’s something you might like to consider. As I mentioned earlier, you have to start somewhere when designing swimwear, and small is often best - there’s less risk involved and it gives you the time you need to develop your skills.

Taking out a personal loan is another way you can tackle the money situation. Similarly, you’ll need to have a business plan. Either way, a business plan is a must and will help you throughout the process of launching your women’s swimwear label.

Ready to go?

Becoming a swimwear designer sounds like a daunting task, particularly if you plan to launch your own designer swimwear label. But while difficulties and challenges lie ahead, being a swimwear designer is extremely rewarding, and a whole lot of fun! And when designing swimwear is your passion in life, there’s nothing better…

© Azura Swimwear 2008, www.azuraswimwear.com

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Top trends in Women’s Swimwear for Summer 2008

Follow these tips for a summer of fun in the sun!

It’s that time of year again… Yes, it’s swimwear season! (Well, at the very least summer is fast approaching). So now is the perfect time to start thinking about your own swimsuit collection.

Whether you’re a one-piece, Brazilian bikini or tankini kind-of-a girl, this summer is set to be a scorcher with the range of hot new swimwear designs we’re seeing from the industry’s hottest designers.

The Miami Swim show (as part of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) saw some fresh, new faces and rising stars, as well as the return of heavyweights Gideon Oberson and Lycra. Longtime favorites Red Carter and Shay Todd were also there, making for a glamour-packed event and some incredible, new women’s swimsuit designs.

From bejeweled bikinis to safari prints, the verdict was feminine yet sexy, with elegant swimsuits with an added twist of fun. Ready for a summer of fun in the sun? Dive in with these surefire tips for 2008’s hottest new swimwear styles.

Ruched Bottoms
Ruched bottoms are all the rage this year, being donned by the bums of Beach Bunny and Maya Swimwear to name a few. Ruched bottoms? It’s an inner seam up the center back of a bikini bottom that has been slightly gathered. The effect is ultra-flattering to the behind (no more flapping, excess fabric) and the look is super cute. Playful and flattering, what more could you want from a bikini bottom?! Beach Bunny is also known to add a diamond-shaped dip at the top, as well as jeweled rings, to highlight the effect.

Bejeweled Bikinis
Speaking of jewels, this season is filled with them, dazzling on bikini tops and bottoms left, right and center. Sauvage Swimwear has been keen on the lead with glittering numbers ‘Cobalt Crystal’ and ‘Jade Mountain 2’ taking center stage. Swarovski crystal and African turquoise stones are just an example of the quality, as well as the luxurious look, you can expect this summer. So jewel up to sparkle and shine!

Bandeau Tops
Bandeau is back this year and looking gorgeous as ever. It seems every designer has its own rendition, with everyone from Red Carter and Sauvage to Odabash offering their take on the beautiful bandeau. While classically without, this year sees the bandeau in some cases with the addition of removable straps. Birdie Jo Swimwear is a favorite with this look. Great for those who need additional support, and once removed, great for tanning. For an ultra-feminine swimsuit look, you can’t go past the bandeau this summer.

Metal Rings
For another hard to beat (and hard to miss) look this season, keep your eyes on metal rings. Ring detailing can be seen in just about every designer swimwear collection – Odabash, Red Carter, Sauvage, Beach Bunny, Vitamin A, Luli Fama, Vix, the list goes on. Rings are particularly favored on the hips (and are often curved to fit) and paired with bandeau tops bearing matching rings at the center front. The look is glamorous and a little sexy with the additional hint of skin. Go for gold or silver and choose small circles or medium elliptical shaped rings for maximum effect.

Safari Prints
Animal prints have long been a favored women’s swimwear motif. But 2008 sees the animal print with a new-found twist. This summer, look out for safari-inspired designs, like the ‘Zimbabwe’ and ‘Kenya’ swimsuits of Red Carter whose zebra and giraffe style patterns are detailed with embroidered sequins and beads. Or take the lead from Beach Bunny and Sauvage and mix things up by choosing animal prints in unique color combinations, like aqua blue and black, or forest green and brown. For sexy and wild this summer, go animalistic!

Black, White & Blue
For straight-up color, 2008 is all about black, white and blue. Blues can be seen at both ends of the spectrum, with aquas and marines featuring prominently. Odabash favored a range of creams, but pure white is the star this season. The runways of Vix, Beach Bunny and Maya, amongst many others, were filled with striking solids in Miami this year, so make sure to grab yourself a signature suit in one of these hot colors.

The 2008 women’s swimwear collection is hotter than ever. With a sizzling summer soon approaching, make sure you’re ready with a hot new swimsuit to enjoy some summertime fun in the sun!