Mercedes Benz Fashion Swim Week: bold colours, high waists and plenty of prints

This year Mercedes Benz Fashion Swim Week in Miami is transformed into the year’s biggest lesson in beach basics.

Featuring almost 2,000 brands, the swim shows give a glimpse into the trends of next summer, from sleek one-pieces to busy printed patterns, figure-flattering high waists, and plenty of sand-ready string bikinis.

While Anna Wintour was absent from the front row, other notable attendees included the Real Housewives of Miami cast; Dancing With The Stars’ Karina Smirnoff; Brooke Burke and her husband David Charvet, and chart topper Christina Milian.

Swimwear, summer’s unofficial uniform, is a $5 billion industry where designers fiercely compete to be every woman’s go-to brand for their yearly surf-side update.

One of the most highly anticipated shows of the week, Mara Hoffman, showcased plenty of cut-out detailing in a boho cowboy-meets-Native American aesthetic, which was a strong trend seen throughout the week.

Lisa Burke, a former model and current animal rights activist, had many fashion editors confused with a plethora of themes throughout her show, which included 60s pin-up girl styles walking alongside oriental prints and cute cowboys.

Karina Smirnoff, who recently dated Mario Lopez, also strutted her stuff on the runway for the show.

Dolores Cortés collection included her trademark pieces, with plenty of prints and razor-sharp cut-outs in neon mixed in with pastels and pops of color.

The tie-dye printed one pieces with stomach cut-outs and braiding details were standout pieces.

Xtra Life Lycra Brand showed one of the more innovative looks of the week, with a yellow and purple cut out one piece that added in cap sleeves.

She also peppered her show giant banana leaves as hats, as well as intriguing fur trims.

Agua Bendita showed diamond shaped neon prints accented with Eighties-style neon visors, tribal prints, and ink-splattered fabrics

Meanwhile Poko Pano jumped into the rainforest with tropical leaf and fruit prints, and puka shell necklaces, with neon oranges and greens ensuring the mostly neutral pieces popped.

Vitamin A by Amahlia Stevens used basic vintage-inspired two-pieces mixed in with snakeskin, black, gold, and blue, water-like printed fabrics, and Caffe Swimwear, a popular favorite, showed its St. Tropez meets Sunday shopping caftans with sleek high ponytails.