Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim concluded Monday at the Raleigh Hotel, where more than 12,000 people attended the five-day 2012 swimwear preview. The IMG-organized event showcased 24 designers under tents around the hotel's pool. This year, six new swimwear companies showed collections, including A Che, Aguaclara, diNeila Brazil, Luxe by Lisa Vogel, Sonia Vera Swimwear, and Wildfox Swim.
Sponsors from previous years—including DHL, American Express, and Mercedes-Benz—returned to Fashion Week Swim, while new brands like Microsoft signed on. At the Raleigh Hotel's penthouse suite on Sunday, three one-of-a-kind PCs featuring designs from Cia.Maritima's 2012 collection were highlighted. The company also hosted the first press lounge equipped with Microsoft software products for industry and press representatives.
While in town for the shows, many attendees hit up a slew of satellite events celebrating fashion, design, and fitness brands. Here's a look at some of Swim Week's biggest events.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim
Mercedes-Benz vehicles flanked the entrance to one of the tents hosting runway shows at Fashion Week Swim at the Raleigh Hotel.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim
Tents housing the Fashion Week Swim runways surrounded the Raleigh pool.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz
Diesel Runway Show at Fashion Week Swim
Kristin Cavallari walked the runway at the Diesel show on Thursday at the Raleigh Hotel.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz
White Sands Australia Show at Fashion Week Swim
DHL sponsored Friday's White Sands Australia show in the Cabana Grande tent at the Raleigh.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz
Shinvan and Nareesh Show at Fashion Week Swim
Models walked around the Raleigh's pool area at the Shinvan and Nareesh outdoor show Sunday.
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim
Fashion gurus like stylist Danny Santiago drove around in a Mercedes-Benz "Fashion Force" police car and pulled over people Friday through Sunday on Collins Avenue, offering them a ride to their destination.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim
The "Fashion Force" police car gave out gift bags with a pair of Havaianas from the trunk of the car.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz
Windows PC Showcase in the Press Lounge
Vibrant patterns from Cia.Maritima's 2012 collection of swimwear designed by Brazilian designer and company founder Benny Rosset covered computer stands in Fashion Week Swim's first press lounge.
Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Microsoft
Windows PC Showcase in the Press Lounge
Guests explored three custom Sony Vaio S laptops wrapped in unique Cia.Maritima prints.
Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Microsoft
Windows PC Showcase
Windows became an official sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, hosting a PC showcase at the Raleigh's penthouse suite on Sunday for media and V.I.P.s.
Photo: Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Microsoft
Cia.Maritima Runway Show
Cia.Maritima integrated custom laptops into its runway show as props for models to hold alongside matching swimwear.
Photo: John Parra/Getty Images for Cia.Maritima
SwimShow
Servers' attire matched that of Rex-Goliath Cabernet Sauvignon, which was served at the pre-fashion-show cocktail party during SwimShow at the Miami Beach Convention Center on Sunday. The four-day trade show had more than 80 first-time exhibitors.
Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SAF
SwimShow
A large screen backdropped the U-shaped runway at SwimShow. Each designer could project different images and videos onto the screen.
Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SAF
Funkshion Swim and Resort
Funkshion Swim and Resort's tents took over a slice of land between the W South Beach and the Setai for runway shows held Thursday through Sunday and sample sales the following Thursday and Friday.
Photo: Courtesy of George Achi
Funkshion Swim and Resort
3B Productions founder Sale Stojanovic created a venue with natural decor, resembling the event's surroundings, Collins Park. Stojanovic incorporated green carpeting into the runway to match the park's grassy areas with artificial hedge used for the back wall.
Photo: Courtesy of George Achi
Funkshion Swim and Resort
Eventstar built an octagonal tent with a clear roof and glass panels to create a showroom for Braman Miami and Mini at Collins Park during Funkshion.
Photo: Courtesy of George Achi
Salon Allure
Salon Allure's opening night party took place at Wet at the W South Beach on Friday, kicking off the four-day luxury swim, resort, fiber, and accessories show.
Photo: Collective Edit
Salon Allure
The Arts Fund curated fashion-related art placed throughout the event.
Photo: Collective Edit
Salon Allure
Event producer Latitude set up a performance stage over the pool.
Photo: Collective Edit
Salon Allure
J-Productions provided audiovisual production and lighting for the opening night fashion show and the boutique trade show that began the next day. Projections of the Salon Allure and Grey Goose Vodka signage provided a backdrop for the stage.
Photo: Collective Edit
Splashion
Thursday's Splashion event, hosted by Miami magazine and Liv at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, entertained 700 people, 200 more than last year.
Photo: NPLG Images
Splashion
Guests posed with props on a beach-themed photo set, overseen by Altered Ego Productions and Miami magazine's Brian Grant. Photos were printed on site and posted on Alter Ego's website and Miami magazine's Facebook page and Twitter account.
Photo: Erika Delgado
Splashion
Elemis Spa provided spa services including hand massages during the event.
Photo: Erika Delgado
Muscle Milk Fitness Retreat
Muscle Milk hosted its first fitness retreat in Miami at Nikki Beach on Thursday.
Photo: Justin Namon/WorldRedEye.com
Muscle Milk Fitness Retreat
Guests took part in dance yoga using mats and towels with the Muscle Milk logo.
Photo: Justin Namon/WorldRedEye.com
Ocean Drive Swim Cover
Thursday's Ocean Drive Swim Cover event surrounded the perimeters of Wet at the W South Beach with swimwear-designer-hosted cabanas.
Photo: WorldRedEye.com
Ocean Drive Swim Cover
Sponsor Grey Goose Vodka had three satellite bars with freezer carts handing out spiked popsicles, plus lifeguard chairs and surfboards with its logo.
Photo: WorldRedEye.com
Make Up For Ever's Lash Lounge
On Saturday, more than 75 people visited Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim makeup sponsor Make Up For Ever's temporary Lash Lounge at Sephora South Beach.
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
Make Up For Ever's Lash Lounge
Twenty-five pairs of custom lashes were created during the three-hour event.
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
Skintimate Studios' Ready for Everything
Skintimate Studios' Ready for Everything event at the W South Beach on Saturday was inspired by George Michael's "Too Funky" music video. The pool was transformed into a catwalk with enhanced lighting that jetted out into the middle to the DJ booth where Nervo, Mia Moretti, and Caitlin Moe performed.
Photo: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com
Skintimate Studios' Ready for Everything
Large limited-edition cans of Skintimate designed by Mara Hoffman flanked the Real Sorbet cart, which distributed mango, raspberry, and strawberry sorbet to guests.
Photo: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com
Skintimate Studios' Ready for Everything
A cabana filled with beach balls, gift bags, and cans of the women's shaving preparation product was decorated in pink.
Photo: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com
