I love to check out fashion forums and online shopping social networks like Kaboodle – it’s a great way for me to find out about new products, see different trends emerging and also, share my thoughts with other like-minded individuals. Today, when crawling the net, I headed to StyleHive to see what great new swimwear finds were hot on the agenda, only to come across one of my favourite designer swimsuits this season, the sexy bikini Lyin’ Eyes by Beach Bunny Swimwear. Since it was time for Bikini of the Week, I thought it must have been fate that pulled me in this direction… not to mention it being one incredibly beautiful swimsuit!

Lyin’ Eyes by Beach Bunny Swimwear

Beach Bunny Swimwear designer Angela Chittenden is one of the designer swimwear industry’s most formidable talents. Here at Azura Swimwear, we continue to be blown away by her sexy new swimwear… time and time again. Undeniably, she pioneered the sexy-yet-sleek lingerie look, however her more ‘traditional’ styled swimwear is equally progressive. Take the Lyin’ Eyes for example – in many ways, it’s a standard halter top bikini. However with Beach Bunny’s use of detailing, sexy bikini cut, as well as use of fabric design, Angela Chittenden has taken this swimsuit to soaring new heights.

(more…)

It surprises me that we have not yet featured this bikini in Bikini of the Week. I don’t know how it was overlooked – I think we all thought it had already been featured! But as I was reading Continental Girl’s post on purchasing designer swimwear, filled with tips about this season’s hot styles, and in particular, animal prints, I thought of Red Carter’s Kenya. I then quickly skipped over to Lifestyle Azura to double check if we had featured it or not, and to my great surprise, it was nowhere to be found!

So better late than never, this week’s Bikini of the Week is Kenya by Red Carter.

Kenya by Red Carter

Red Carter is the champion of fine details – whether it be in the quality of his suits, the style of his cuts or the added detailing he uses. Usually, it’s all of the above, and his Kenya bikini is no different.

It’s hard to go past an animal print, and no matter how many decades come and go, animal prints will always have their place in fashion. Red Carter actually has two animal prints out this season – the Kenya and the Zimbabwe, both as beautiful as each other, so really this week should be a ‘Bikinis of the Week’ rather than just ‘Bikini’! But as I personally love the black and white appeal of the zebra, I pulled out my card and voted for the Kenya…

(more…)

We’re finally home!

After an amazing three days (well, we must admit we stayed on for a couple more days… it was Vegas after all!) checking out next year’s incredible lineup of designer swimsuits, we’re glad to be back home where it’s quiet and we can reflect upon all the beautiful new fashion swimsuits we saw.

Undeniably, attending these designer swimwear tradeshows each year, such as MAGIC, CURVE NV and PROJECT, is a lot of fun. But to us, it’s a lot more than just fun and games. More than anything, attending these swimwear tradeshows gives the team here at Azura Swimwear the opportunity to touch base with the industry - whether liasing with swimwear designers and their sales reps, or seeing what’s going on in the world of fashion on a whole.

While we definitely keep up with other industry members throughout the year, it’s great to meet face to face, and catch up in person with the people you deal with on the phone on a near daily basis.

Seeing all the designers and their new swimwear collections in one place is also of incredible value. (more…)

Get ready.

Get set.

Go!

Pack your bags and join us for the first installment of our series Vacation Love as we take a journey to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. From the exotic and untouched beaches of the Philippines to the art deco glamour of France, Lifestyle Azura has scoured the earth in search of the perfect holiday destination… So all you need to do is choose your designer swimsuit and you’re ready to go! This week, we take a look at beaches a little off the common track, and in case you needed a little swimsuit inspiration, we’ve chosen the perfect bikini to match the lush surroundings…

Ain’t life wonderful?!

Byron Bay, Australia

Surrounded by glorious golden coastline as far as the eye can see, Australia is indeed home to many of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Throw in the Aussies and their laid back lifestyle, and you have a beach destination that’s hard to beat. Byron Bay, on Australia’s Pacific Coast, is one of the country’s best examples, blending the best that Australia has to offer, from great surf to bohemian chic and city savoir faire.

The look: Jade Mountain 2 by Sauvage Swimwear/ Ace by Birdie Jo Swimwear

You could go a couple of different ways here: 1) Choose designer bikinis that are feminine but not too sweet, like the Jade Mountain 2 by Sauvage Swimwear; or 2) Choose designer swimsuits that are funky and fun, like the Ace by Birdie Jo Swimwear. Don’t go for gaudy or over the top, women’s swimwear Byron Bay style is all about relaxed effort and unaffected cool. 

Boracay, Philippines

A land of close to 8000 islands, the Philippines certainly has its fair share of stunning beach destinations. But for pristine, crystal blue waters, tropical palm trees and a night life to match, Boracay appeals in more ways than one. Cruise around the islands by day and frolic in the warm waters by night… and don’t forget your cocktails!

The look: Hanky Panky by Beach Bunny Swimwear/ Kenya by Red Carter

Island holidays are always a little sexy, so meet the mood with designer swimwear to match. Think sultry and fun, like the black studded Hanky Panky by Beach Bunny Swimwear or the exotic with sexy swimwear like Kenya by Red Carter.

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

The Pacific Coast of Mexico is known worldwide for its stunning beaches and beautiful backdrops - from Los Cabos to Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. But when it comes to big waves and bohemian cool, nothing beats Puerto Escondido. Here, lazy days are spent sipping cervezas, relaxing in the cool breeze and watching the day turn to night over crashing waves…

The look: Chains by Sauvage Swimwear/ White Ruffle by Maya Swimwear

To match the chilled out vibe, choose a simple, unadorned designer swimsuit. Bright whites and bold blacks, like the Chains by Sauvage Swimwear and White Ruffle by Maya Swimwear, are a great choice for these types of designer bikinis - you’ll look radiant and dazzling without looking you like you put thought into it at all. 

Biarritz, France

Set in the Basque region, a gorgeous coast line land straddling northern Spain and France, Biarritz was the holiday destination du jour in the first half of the 20^th century. Lined with gorgeous art deco buildings and decorated walkways along the beach, an indefinable elegance still floats in the air. Indeed, Biarritz is still one of France’s most sophisticated beach destinations, but modern times and the discovery of some of Europe’s best surfing waves have attracted a younger crowd too, creating an electric vibe of old-world charm and youthful vibrancy.

The look: Venezia by Sauvage Swimwear / Spellbound by Beach Bunny

A touch of class is the call of the day in Biarritz. But a little fun and flirting is always on the agenda! Choose designer swimsuits, like the Venezia by Sauvage Swimwear or Spellbound by Beach Bunny, with beaded detailing or enamel adornments for a high class touch. But remember, for sophisticated yet sexy designer bikinis, less is more - don’t go overboard with lots of colors. Stick to one color swimsuits and let the detailing work their magic.

While we’ve enjoyed the black bikini bonanza we’ve had here at Azura Swimwear the last couple of weeks, we felt maybe it was time for a change.

But with such a wonderful lineup of black Bikinis of the Week, it was going to have to be a truly standout swimsuit to match the grade.But when our eyes fell on this swimsuit, the Cardozo by Maya Swimwear, the decision was made.  There was no doubt about it.

Cardozo by Maya Swimwear

When talking about Maya Swimwear, we’ve always felt compelled to talk about the Maya Swimwear signature cut. And there’s good reason for it. This sexy swimwear label knows what it’s doing when it comes to the female figure. In fact, it has mastered it - Maya Swimwear really only has a couple of different styles, with a few variations to the bikini tops and bottoms thrown in here and there. But with such strong signatures, they don’t have much need to experiment! And the Cardozo bikini, in all its Ruffle Cut glory, is no different…

Typically, we see Maya Swimwear in their stunning block colors, but they also do incredible prints, with the Cardozo bikini being a standout example. I think what I love most about Maya Swimwear’s choice of prints is that they really match the bikini they’re placed with. I know that sounds like something that is a given, but when you’re working with signature cuts, it’s easier said than done. For less quality and designer driven women’s swimwear labels, I’ve definitely seen the easy road taken, with both the signature cut and swimwear print design being great, but the two not matching up. Maya Swimwear always does a great job of creating a symbiosis between the two, and again the Cardozo serves as a shinning example of this.

We’re also seeing a lot of bikinis this season (and next season too… but I’ll tell you more about that another time!) come in the ‘mismatched’ bikini top and bottom print design. In our opinion, the look is incredibly hot! It also has a bohemian feel to it and came about when the whole trend of buying separate bikini tops and bottoms first came into fashion. And while it can look great doing it yourself, when you see a bikini like the Carodzo by Maya Swimwear, you understand why these swimwear designers are the experts!  The Cardozo bikini, in it tones of white, black and steel grey, is sizzling both upstairs and down…

The Cardozo bikini comes with a sliding triangle top with ties at both the neck and back. And let’s not forget the adorable ruffle trim, which you’ll also find on the bikini bottoms. Speaking of which, the bottoms also have an alluring hipster shape at the front along with Maya Swimwear’s gorgeous, and ulter-flattering, ruched inner seam at the back.

So until next week, we leave you with this beautiful bikini, the Cardozo by Maya Swimwear. It’s a hot number this season, so if you’re looking for something with a bohemian temperament, but is still sleek and sexy, than the Cardozo is definitely the bikini for you…

  Click here now to purchase Cardozo by Maya Swimwear!