Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim/Cruise 2009: Luli Fama
Designer and Miami native Lourdes Hanimian and co-designer Augusto Hanimian turned a mirror on the city for the duo’s July 20 runway show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim at The Raleigh hotel in Miami Beach, Fla. Titled “La Estrella de Miami,” Luli Fama’s collection explored what it means to be a sexy girl in this very sexy city famous for its barely-there bikinis. As flattering as they were minuscule, the suits were given names that hinted at the designer’s salty inspiration, including “Rumors,” “Spectacle,” “Matadora,” “Dangerous Woman,” “Ballerina,” and “Tobacco and Sun.” Prints ranged from oversize animal prints and Missoni-inspired zig-zags to stars, zarape stripes and ditsy flowers. With their muse living and breathing just outside their door, Luli Fama’s designers gave the Miami girl—and any girl who wants to channel her—plenty of options. Silhouettes ranged from lingerie-inspired underwire bikinis to classic halters, string bikinis and even sexy takes on the boyshort. A black-and-white color-blocked maillot brought to mind the city’s art deco architecture, while punchy neon florals and graphic animal prints recalled the city’s tropical flora and fauna. —E.B.
