Maybe it reflects a collective frosty cry from the bowels of the zeitgeist for winter to be on its way sooner rather than later, or something as prosaic as the marketing cycle, but whatever the impetus, the bikini gods are stirring here in mid-January.
Designer Award
Bestswimwear.com has named Beach Bunny Swimwear founder, Angela Chittenden, the "Hottest New Swimwear Designer" for 2006.
"Since opening our business in 1996, we have reviewed offerings from hundreds of new swimwear designers" — someone has to do it — "and few meet our stringent requirements," states Bestswimwear.com pres Claude Dauman. "Beach Bunny Swimwear captivates your attention. Angela's suits are very original, crafted of the finest materials and many are embellished with details such as delicate Italian lace and genuine Swarovski crystals."
As even the eye untrained by arduous years of reviewing swimwear designs, can see.
Originally from Iowa, Angela Chittenden founded Beach Bunny Swimwear in the summer of 2004. After years (it seemed like decades) of modeling swimsuits for Hawaiian Tropic and Bikini.com and appearing in publications such as Maxim and Muscle and Fitness, Angela opened a successful clothing boutique in Newport Beach, Ca. Catering to sophisticated clients looking for the sexy and unique, she discovered that when it came to swimsuits, the options were limited. Borrowing concepts from the finest lingerie, Angela penned "fun-flirty designs fitting for an ultra-feminine swimwear collection."
From her experience as a swimsuit model, Angela says she "understands the difficulty in finding that perfect-fit suit" — she virtually oozes empathy — so all of her swimsuits are "designed to flatter," and "tops and bottoms are sized separately," she adds perkily. Beach Bunny suits, with names like Lady Lace, Sweetheart, Bedroom Eyes, Temptation, and Pink Lemonade, are priced from $179 to $229.
Bikini Jam and Image Awards
Hot on the heels of Chittendon's swimwear designer award, comes news of this year's 21st Annual International Bikini Jam, August 29 - September 4, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a notable part of which will be the 1st Annual International Bikini Model Image Awards.
I must admit to have been nonplussed at first: don't all succesful bikini models have awarding images? But then I realized my folly as Ujena Swimwear owner and Jam/Image director Bob Anderson spoke. "The Bikini Model Image Awards will be a very unique event," he said. "It is an event honoring bikini models and showcasing how the bikini, a simple fashion garment has grown into one of the most powerful marketing tools in the world. Well-known figures will be receiving awards," he assured us.
Article comments
1 - Victor Plenty
This is really a fun read, Eric. (Yes, I actually read the article and didn't just click on the photos. Funny thing about dialup: I'm too impatient to wait for photos to download.)
It can be tough to report on events like this. Using a "straight reportage" style grants them more gravitas than they really merit. Yet it's also easy to stray into the opposite extreme and launch an all out satirical attack on such events, when in reality they just aren't worth getting that upset about.
Your writeup strikes a good balance, gently mocking the subjects when they take themselves a bit too seriously, but not going overboard about it.
2 - swingingpuss
Eric, your hot bursting bikinis inspired my latest post.
I think beach bunny is really hot!...if I was not straight and married....(he he)
3 - Bob Anderson
Eric, Thanks for including information about our Bikini Model Image Awards. The whole Ujena Bikini Model Week in Puerto Vallarta August 29 to Sept 4 is really coming together.
You should join us.
Bob Anderson
Director
Ujena Chief Photographer
4 - Eric Olsen
thanks VP and SP, much appreciated! It was fun putting this together and thanks to Phillip for assembling the smoking hot gallery.
Bob, sounds like a wildly festive time - I DJ'd event slike this back in teh old days, not sure my wife would go for it now! Have fun!
5 - Scott Butki
That women on her back in the red cowboy hat looks to have an extra breast or a rib sticking out or something abonormal going on between her top and waist.
I mention this only out of concern, of course.
6 - Gordon GoHah Mellencamp Hauptfleisch
Eric--I usually read your posts for the articles, but, it being a weekend and all and this post being especially high in the hubba-hubba factor and va-va-va-voom quotient, I thought a little lapse in decorum was in order. Thanks!
7 - Scott Butki
I would like to nominate the first paragraph of this item as having the most multi-syllabic scrabble-high-points words i've ever seen in a piece containing that many fine breasts.
8 - Billie
I am sorry men but I am not sure what really appealed to you, the breasts or the swimsuit designs. I am sure most of your wives would not look good in theses and other copy designs as they would enhance the tummy bulge and other humps and bumps. What real women want are swimsuits that draw attention away from their defects to points of their bodies that are best looking.
The article is really great, pictures are really well done and the stylist was beyond reproach but in reality the swimsuits would not look good on real women. The design uniqueness stops at the accessories used including the models.
May I suggest that you all look at
www.oceanswardrobe.com to see truely unique original designs that are worn by everyday women like myself who understand what designer fashion is all about.
Sorry to be a wet blanket but give what I say some thought and I am sure you will agree.
love Billie
9 - ilario
hq photos,thanks!!!