CIA.MARITIMA 2011 COLLECTION at Miami Swim: 20th Anniversary Show!

 Brazil’s favorite beachwear brand, Cia.Maritima, will showcase its 2011 collection in Miami as part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim!  The runway show will take place at 8pm, Sunday, July 18, in the Cabana Grande at South Beach’s historic Raleigh hotel.  Cia.Maritima, will present more than 40 looks for the show.  Benny Rosset, the collection’s founder and designer, will travel from Sao Paulo to unveil the collection and meet with press and retailers!

 Also, 2010 marks Cia.Maritima’s 20th anniversary.  The collection was launched in Sao Paulo in June 1990.  Since its inception, Cia.Maritima has staged annual runway shows in Sao Paulo, and has also shown on the runways of New York, Miami and Europe.  In its shows, the collection has been worn by the world’s top models including Giselle Bundchen, Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova and many others.  The swimwear has also been seen on the beach on such celebrities as Blake Lively, Whitney Port and Denise Richards!

 The 2011 Collection draws its inspiration from Morocco and its rich combination of earthy tones, eye-catching jewels and bohemian luxuries.  Offering metal and mother-of-pearl trimmings, rich prints and colorful embroidery, the new collection is defined by Benny as “vintage beach chic.”

Designers Yves Saint Laurent and socialite Tabitha Getty, who in the 1960s both adopted Morocco as a second homeland, fueled the season’s passion for Moroccan culture.  The collection’s bikinis and range of cover-ups – from kaftans to harem pants to tunics – can all be traced to styles made popular by the two fashion icons.  Colors match the exotic hues found in the silks, jewels and meatalworks of the Moroccan markets.  Light fabrics abound, including viscose voile, cotton crepe, mesh and liganeti.

 Legendary fashion show producer Lynne O’Neill will Produce and direct this season’s show.  Lynne is one of the industry’s leading fashion show producers and for more than 30 years, has worked on shows in New York and throughout the U.S.  Not only did Lynne direct fashion shows in the feature film “Sex and the City: The Movie,” CW’s “Gossip Girl” and many other TV series, she was also immortalized in HBO’s “Sex and the City” series by Margaret Cho, who played a character inspired by Lynne.

MAC, the international cosmetics brand, will offer make up styling to complete the models’ looks.  Hair Styling will be created by TRESemmé, salon-quality, affordable hair care.  Nails will be provided by manicurist Myrith Leon-McCormick using her natural nail care collection, M2M.

In the United States, the Cia.Maritima collection is sold exclusively at high-end boutiques and swimwear shops.  For retail information, contact Style West at 805 485 5334 or 800 755 7682.  For more information, including store locations, go to www.CiaMaritimaUS.com.  

Photos: Cia.Maritima Swim 2010