Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim: Agua Bendita Swimwear 2013

This year seems like colors were again dominating the runway at Mercedes Benz Swimwear Fashion Week, especially neon colors, which seems to be one of the trends for 2013 swimwear. Agua Bendita designers, Catalina Álvarez and Mariana Hinestroza, were using this collection to pay tribute to our wounded warriors or “Lovely Heroes” (name of this collection).

The Agua Bendita swim and resorts collection was very retro, sensual looking, with clever print patterns and military, nautical and western, wild Indian motifs. An army tee shirt cover-up, came marching down the runway and was removed to reveal a camouflage bikini! Next came an army of little tops with matching pants. The show itself had very classic modern style lines. Instead of stilettos, many cross-vertical monokinis were modeled with suede boots and wedge shoes.

Cowgirls and Indians abounded, first with the painted faces of the “Caciques” (Indian chief warriors) on the suits accessorized with tribal-style bags. For those that love western motifs, there was plenty of it in this collection. Also, Mexican blankets made of bright colors were cleverly mixed in.

Finally, the seafaring models appeared and walked with firm steps, strutting their white jean jackets decorated with glitter, sergeant and nautical patches, medals and padded shoulders with stud detailing accompanied by blue and white navy bags. Last, but not least, there was an amazing unikini with the J-Lo cut, serenaded by reggaeton music mixed with other latin beats (which was not a coincidence since the song was interpreted by J-Lo and Wisin y Yandel)!

Agua Bendita is adept at mixing colors and print. And they should commended for their amazing tribute worthy of our heroes!

‒Olga Maria Czarkowski