Tori Praver
Surfer, model, swimwear designer. Tori Praver is a beach girl at heart.
Model cum designer Tori Praver grew up wearing bikinis on the beaches of Hawaii. Her star rose when she became the face of Guess and Billabong and graced the covers and editorial pages of publications such as Sports Illustrated, Elle, Glamour, Numero and V. While her modeling career took off, her dream was always to be a fashion designer. She spent her childhood surfing and hanging out on local beaches in Maui, so it was a natural progression for her to launch a swimwear collection. Tori Praver Swimwear launched three seasons ago, and the collection has been an instant success. Its sexy, surf-tested fashion-forward silhouettes offer both high style and functionality. Fashion Editor N. Jayne Seward caught up with Praver at a poolside cocktail party at the W South Beach to chat about her collection.
What is the essence of Tori Praver swimwear?It’s feminine, but I [also] want you to be able to wear it under clothes or wear it surfing and be sporty with it. So it’s very versatile. That’s something I’m really proud of. My signature ruching detail is very unique, and it’s very form fitting.
Why did you decide to launch the line?I’m mostly inspired by where I grew up and where I’m from. I’m from Maui, Hawaii, and grew up at the beach in swimsuits. My childhood was in a bikini. It was something that I always wanted to do.
Who is the Tori Praver girl?Well, that’s what I think is so unique about my line is that I really hit every age group and every type of girl. My grandma wears my suits, my mom wears them, my girlfriends wear them. I have suits that fit every body type, and I sell them as separates. Depending on your body type, different size tops can mix and match with bottoms, and different styles can match your body type, as well.
What was your inspiration for Cruise 2012?This collection was inspired by Africa, deserts and sunsets, and nature itself. I have injected some really, really beautiful earth tones like olive green and ocean blue. I was also inspired by animal prints. I have a tiny little leopard print and some colored zebras like green and hazel as well as some neons and some bright florals that remind me of sunset colors like watermelon pink and orange.
I understand you are moving to L.A. How do you feel about living on the West Coast?I was living in L.A. for about three years before I moved to New York full-time. So I will be bicoastal, and I’m excited about that. I’m a beach girl from Hawaii. The ocean makes me happy, and that’s where I need to be.
