The weather is finally starting to warm up, after one of the wettest and coldest starts to summer in history. Retailers have reported sluggish sales of swimwear but as the sun comes out it's time to invest in a new swimsuit. If the thought of the swimwear changing rooms fills you with dread, here's a guide to this season's trends and the brands that do them best to make the task less onerous.
Zimmermann
As two of the leaders of the Australian swim squad, Nicky and Simone Zimmermann have been bringing us beautifully executed, fashion-forward swimwear for 20 years. Prints usually feature heavily in Zimmermann collections and this season is no different. ''We worked really hard on having beautiful colours and saturated prints and new textures,'' Nicky says. ''And we work incredibly hard on making sure they fit, so that if you like the look of it you can put it on and it does what it should do.'' Bikinis feature prominently - some with laser-cut overlays and others with geometric prints and asymmetrical straps - but there are also one-piece swimsuits ranging from structured strapless cossies to looser halter-neck designs. ''When you pick up a swimsuit it's often a really gorgeous detail that makes it feel special,'' Nicky says.
Seventh Wonderland
Seventh Wonderland launched at Miami Swim Fashion Week - the world's most prestigious trade event for swimwear - in 2008. It paid off. It was instantly clear there was a new serious swimwear player in the pool. Designer Bonnie Coumbe and partner Carlos Aviles offer designs that are detail-driven, feminine and flattering. This season those details include corsetry and cut-outs, belt buckles and hardware, and lace and crochet trims. Colours are bold and come in a mix of solids and prints, while classic black-and-white gingham adds a retro feel to some pieces. ''My designs do tend to be ahead [of trends],'' Coumbe says, ''but this is why Seventh Wonderland receives the attention that we are receiving nationally and internationally.'' Outside its many Australian stockists, the label is doing particularly well in Asia and is stocked on Net-a-Porter.
Isola by Megan Gale
Megan Gale has successfully forged a career off the catwalk by designing for a broad spectrum of figures when it comes to her swimwear range, Isola by Megan Gale. ''You can't design for yourself,'' she says. ''You have to put your consumer hat on and design for what people are buying.'' In only its second season, the Isola range offers high-waisted 1940s-style bottoms with balconette bikini tops and 1970s- inspired halter-neck one-pieces. ''There are styles that are more trend-driven,'' Gale says, ''and others that are more wearable, like the underwire bustier and balconette-bra tops. The high-waisted pants are a little bit more fringe but they seem to be popular so far. I love that whole vintage-inspired pin-up trend that's coming through, it's really gorgeous and good for those women who want a bit more coverage.'' A black-and-white confetti print offers an alternative to polka dots, while leopard prints and bold florals also feature in this collection.
Anna & Boy
Anna Hewett and Lill Boyd's colourful collections have been flying off racks in the six years since the two former Vogue Australia staffers launched their label with a focus on prints. ''Print is always our starting point,'' Hewett says, ''and always our point of inspiration. We don't really realise how different our collections look until we see them in store against other brands.'' This focus means shapes and silhouettes remain similar from collection to collection. There will always be a sliding string bikini, underwired bandeau and panelled one-pieces, for example. This season takes inspiration from the 1970s images of fashion photographer Guy Bourdin and model Jerry Hall, using saturated colours and luxurious fabrications. ''This summer our swimwear has gone for a little more structure, more lingerie styling,'' Hewett says.
We Are Handsome
In just under two years, designers Jeremy Somers and Indhra Chagoury have made global waves with their label We Are Handsome. The label's focus on photorealistic digital prints and nostalgic shapes has garnered the brand stockists such as Net-a-Porter and a celebrity fanbase including Diane Kruger, Florence Welch and Rihanna. ''We know we really hit a nerve with the imagery, and [our timing], right when the one-piece was coming back as a sexy alternative to the bikini,'' Somers says. The shapes are unashamedly retro, with leotard-style one-pieces, string bikinis and ruffled asymmetric designs, all harking back to the 1970s and '80s. The latest collection, The Memoirs, includes imagery of horses, wolves and hot-air balloons. ''We looked at holidays when we were growing up in Queensland and the vacations kids were taking on TV: the lakehouse, ski chalets. The prints … evoke something deep down in your memories.'' Swimwear trends for 2012 Prints
Popular in one-piece and bikini styles, prints are everywhere right now. Florals continue to be a summer staple, either in delicate small formats or bold Hawaiian styles. Checks, particularly gingham, stripes and geometrics, are on the mark and leopard print continues to sizzle. All in one
The one-piece could usurp the bikini this season, with plenty of shapes available inspired by the 1970s. Bottoms are well covered and styles include strapless, halter-neck and asymmetric straps. 1940s
With the 1940s feeling in fashion, big bikini bottoms are back on the beach. High-waisted and bottom-covering, these are matched with underwired, bandeau and corset-style bikini tops. Whip it
There's a touch of fetish-wear in fashion this season and this has filtered through into some swimwear styles. To embrace this look, search for external corsetry details, lacing and buckles in any shade as long as it's black. All the trimmings
Delicate and feminine trims are also popular this season, whether in the form of crochet, lace or laser-cut fabrics.
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