Vitamin A

So I told you last week about the article I wrote for Omnitrade Fashion's press book. I wrote about the swim wear brand Vitamin A and thought I'd post it on here for you all to read. I received an email today from Lydia Pili, who was happy with the article and informed me that she would be sending me a Vitamin A bathing suit as payment which as you can understand, I am very excited about ;)

Vitamin A
By Georgina Anderson

It all started with Amahlia Stevens. While at her tailor in Laguna Beach, Amahlia wondered why if clothing could be so perfectly manipulated to fit the body then why couldn’t swim wear be too? She contemplated why she hadn’t found a bikini she loved as much as her little black dresses and decided that what one wore pool side or on the beach should be a natural extension of a woman’s already established wardrobe.

So in 2000, Amahlia designed and launched just four perfectly cut, black bikinis and thus, Vitamin A was born. The collection received rave reviews and was immediately stocked by a string of retailers including Barneys New York, Fred Segal Los Angeles and Calypso boutique in St. Barts. Following closely behind the retailers were the celebrity elite, including Scarlett Johansson, Kate Hudson and Cameron Diaz, who have adopted Vitamin A’s bikinis as their staple resort wear.



A contributor to her success was her innovative fit concept which is now an important design factor in the contemporary swimwear market. It was named the “California Cut”, a sexy, fresh style that combined both the super-skimpy Brazilian cut and the more conservative look of the American cut.

A decade after launching and Vitamin A now consists of three collections – the original Gold Collection, a more affordable Silver Collection and the ultra luxurious Signature Collection. They all encompass the trademark bright colour palettes, unique embellishment details and rich Italian fabrics.



Amahlia’s designs are inspired by her childhood, during the 70s and 80s living in Los Angeles but also by her travels across the world. The fabrics she uses are all imported, Nylon, Lycra, Spandex and Lurex with unique metallic elements.

To summarize Vitamin A’s aesthetic the words minimalist, modern but surprisingly bohemian come to mind. Vitamin A swim wear and resort wear are a luxurious collection of mix and match garments that would be at home both on an exclusive beach in St. Tropez but also on the more relaxed, surf-dominant beaches of California.

Omnitrade Fashion is an official distributor of Vitamin A throughout Central Europe

Omnitrade Fashion
Grand Rue 14,
Vich 1267
Switzerland

Email : sales@omnitrade-fashion.com
Tel: +41 22 300 00 94

Also, my article for the Web Express Guide magazine is out but I am yet to pick up a copy. However, the article is online so I've posted the URL if you want to have a look. The quality isn't very good since the lay out has been lost but for everyone who won't be able to read the magazine, here it is
http://www.webexpressguide.com/costadelsol/article.php?art_id=88&id=2732


Loveness,
Maria
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My first published article

So I've had quite a busy weekend! I had two deadlines for Monday. One, writing an article about a brand for a press book and another article for a free magazine on the Costa Del Sol. I was asked by the co-ordinator of my school to write an article about fashion and the students of Marbella Design Academy for the Web Express Guide - a magazine I had never heard of but hey, atleast I'm getting published! So I thought I'd post it on here for everyone to read. It should be coming out within the next week so I'm looking forward to seeing it in print!



You can't read it from the photo so when the article gets posted on the website, I'll put the link up.

Regarding the other article, I sent it off Monday and am still waiting for a response back so when I have one, I'll post the final article on here too.

Loveness,
Maria
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The project begins

So as an update of my college work, I thought I'd post some photos of my research book which I started last week. We are seeing models this week and continuously talking about the catwalk show to try and organise things. Make-up, lighting, schedules, it's all go at the moment so we are super busy trying to sort it all out.















I got alot of my research from the 1940s. I've been looking at the archetecture in American cities in the 30s and 40s and also the iconic pin-up girls of the age. Colours wise I am looking at the pastel hues of the Laduree bakery macaroons and the rich pinks of roses. I want a soft look to my garments, not quite as ''lingerie'' as I previously stated but more of a lougewear look with a couple of lingerie garments. The research book is still under construction but I now have a better idea of the kind of collection I'm going for. I'll keep you updated.

Loveness,
Maria
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Hello readers!
So I haven't written a post for a while now, partly because I've been super busy at college but also I went to London last week for some university interviews and open days. Consequently I have been offered and accepted an offer to UCA at Epsom to do BA Fashion Journalism so I hope I can get the grades in June and am able to go.

Last Thursday I was strolling round a rainy Camden and found an amazing little vintage and thrift shop just passed the high street. It was full of things, old and fairly new - a £60 vintage Chanel bag (very tempting but resisted) was amoung the pickings, also a ring masters outfit for £120. But these are the things I bought. Controversial I know, but I was told by the delightful woman shop owner that it was quite old and not very common. It's a mink fur scarf complete with tail, legs and claws. There was one with a head but I thought that was a little too much. This one only cost me £20 - luxury in my price range.



I also got this. It was hidden away behind a few other bags and from the look of it I think it's from around the 1950s era. Very classic and will go with alot of my wardrobe. Only £12.



We are now starting to design for our final project so that's also exciting. I'll keep updating Maria's GaGa with news on that but for now, sketching, researching and finding inspiration are what I'm focusing on.

Loveness,
Maria
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