TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY & SOFIA SHERSHUNOVICH
Sometimes a swimwear line is more than just another swimwear line. One example is Rosa Cha by the super talented AMIR SLAMA, who’s pictured here with model Ana Beatriz Barros at his after-party at the Maritime Hotel. To read more about the party, visit www.nymag.com. Four years ago, Amir showed me the workmanship in a bikini top he’d created, a few minutes before his Miami Swim show went off. I was stunned by the level of workmanship and detail that went into a mere bikini top.
While I’ll always love Amir, I’m always on the hunt for new blood-new talent. I sat up straight when blogger gal pal, SOFIA SHERSHUNOVICH sent me a post about a hot new swim talent who’s just gotten on her radar screen. After reading her post [I’ve posted excerpts here for you to enjoy] I’m wishing THIS designer would show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim. Maybe next year.
Writes Sofia: Kiev native Oleg Skirda is a purist in his own right. His craftsmanship is impeccable. Every stitch is measured by the millimeter and sewn by hand. His self-taught skills in rare French techniques are not only perfected but also improvised. Oleg has also taken it upon himself to defy gravity and give us a breast lift using only his own developed push-up cups, which he has perfected to a science. OC has two swimwear lines - swimwear and haute couture swimwear as well as beach cover-ups, jewelry, and accessories to complete the look.
Haute couture is hand-sewn with Swarovski crystals and pearls, Japanese beads, and vintage Italian beads and sequins. The design can't be duplicated, as there’s no initial drawing. The garment is sewn directly on the model. OC suits are made for fun in the sun - you can swim and even wash them without worrying about damaging precious details. "The real bikini is what Mother Nature gave a woman - her body, I'm simply accentuating her work".
To read Sofia’s entire article and other fun pieces from her fashion travels, visit www.frolic72.blogspot.com
To see more of OLEG SKIRDA’S work, visit www.olegskirda.com
*Don’t panic – there’s a “translate to English” button, if you don’t happen to read Russian.
