Surf Is Up at Billabong
Surf couture rocked the runway at Billabong's 4th Annual "Design for Humanity," photos: John Eckmier
From the surf couture swimwear that walked the runway to the star-studded red carpet, the surf industry was out in full force to support Billabong’s 4th Annual “Design for Humanity.” Surf legend Tom Curren and Billabong freesurfer Keala Kennelly joined the crowd that descended on Paramount Studio’s New York Street backlot on June 10. Pop-up shops, DJs, art galleries, and live music from Kid Sister and Fischerspooner were all part of the charitable event, which benefitted Invisible Children.
For the fashion minded, the event was a preview of hotter than hot swimwear trends. A modern take on ’80s retro surf hit the runway with Billabong’s one-of-a-kind swimwear created especially for the event. The audience flashed back to the early ’80s as neon colors, lace, color blocking and even French cuts rocked the house. The look was modernized by updating silhouettes and adding a fashionable twist to the standard wet suit. Surf fans will be happy to know that 10 of the one-of-a-kind pieces will be offered in the upcoming 2011 Billabong Runway Collection. Women’s Design Director Mandy Robinson said girls can expect to see a fashionable neoprene wet suit, a biker short and perhaps even a neoprene dress offered in the line. And for the surf enthusiast, many of the pieces will be fully functional.
Surfing and scuba-inspired trends are emerging in ready-to-wear, and the trend hasn’t been lost on the surf market. According to Robinson, the show was especially exciting this year because of the surf focus. Typically the collection is a bit more bohemian. “We are doing surf couture on the runway this year, so that’s exciting—something that we wouldn’t normally do in our own line,” explained Robinson. “It’s fun because in the fashion show we stay true to our customer and our roots as far as through color or through vibe or theme. But with our silhouettes we can get a lot more fashionable.”
What happens to the suits after the show? This year the suits will be shipped to Australia, Europe and Brazil for “Design for Humanity” events that will be held in various countries. According to Robinson, this will be the first time the international design teams will utilize the same suits. “All the design directors from the different countries were excited about my theme and wanted to share it,” she said. And if Robinson gets bombarded with calls from fans for more of these one-of-a-kind pieces, a special few might be in luck. Last year The Ting Ting’s lead singer called Robinson and said, “I’ve got to have a couple of the suits.” So Robinson sewed them up and sent them to her. “Over the last couple years [a few special] girls have called in and requested them, and I’ve done what I can to accommodate,” Robinson said. Oh, to be so lucky.
