Though two-piece outfits have been seen throughout history as far back 3000 BC, what we know as the modern bikini debuted in 1946 in Paris.  During that summer, French engineer Louis Réard and designer Jacques Heim each independently designed a skimpier version of the traditional bathing suit.  Heim’s design was the first to debut, but Réard gave the new swimsuit the name “le bikini” after the Bikini Atoll Island. 

The new more revealing version of traditional two-piece suits was met with scandal and scorn all over the world and even the French models hired to wear them refused.  It wasn’t until the early 50s that the bikini began to gain popularity along the French Riviera and it would take even longer to reach the United States (even Sports Illustrated blasted it as late as 1957!).  Luckily the combination of private pools and the hit song “Itsy Bitsy, Teenie Weenie, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” in 1960 finally brought acceptance of the bikini in the US.  And we have never looked back!

So this weekend, as we celebrate the birth of the United States, lets also take some time to celebrate the birth of our sexiest beach ensemble.  Cheers to Louis Reard, Jacques Heim, “itsy bitsy, teenie weenie” bikinis, and all the women who make them look fabulous!

A thought on how far we’ve come. From this:

To this:

Hooray for designer bikinis!

Ashley’s black swimsuit is certainly evocative of the Vix brand with its gold hardware on both top and bottom. Ashley has said herself she works hard to have a slender figure, and the work is definitely paying off (ie, have you seen her behind? Take a look below). Celebrities love for this swimsuit line from designer Paula Hermanny, which features incredible embellishments from gold rings to leather accents and remarkable embroidery and gems. This hot brand has been featured in such magazines as InStyle, Vogue, Elle, People, US Weekly and of course, Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition. 

Though Ashley looked fierce in this sexy black look, we wonder where Zac Efron was because that’s a swimsuit moment we definitely don’t want to miss!

Take advantage of Betsey Johnson Swimsuit items, Maaji, VIX brazilian suits, Agua Bendita, OndadeMar, and more!

For a limited time only, order any regular-priced swimsuit and receive 10% off. Enter coupon code SWIMFUN (in caps lock) at checkout. This sale is valid for both national and international customers, starting June 24th through July 4th only. This discount cannot be combined with any other sales or promotions. Must be entered at time of purchase to be valid.

Mosaique Couture Bikini - Rock chic style

The rock-n-roll spring breaker who wants to party in her swimsuit seems to love this chic item. The contrasting polka dots with yellow floral and acqua trim give a bit of an edge to this style. This contrasting bikini finishes off with bright purple straps in the triangle and provides ties at neck and back. This swimsuit is also completely reversible, so you get two for the price of one. At $112 for the suit, that’s $56 a piece!

View all Maaji Swimwear for more reversible styles like this one.

Agua de Diosas- A godess-like fit

Diosas, which is Spanish for “godess”, is fittingly the inspiration for this Agua Bendita suit. The tiny rosettes that adorn the trim for both top and bottom bring a splash of bright orange and lace to this designer suit. As one shopper put it, this suit “combines the cute and sexy themes to form a spicy little number”. What is most raved about with this item is the superior spandex used to create it, which softly stretches and molds to almost any body type (though it does run on the smaller side). At $179 it might be a splurge, but the look on the crowd’s face when they see you will be priceless.

 

 The Rachel – Mix-n-match fashion

This Rachel Bikini from Phax Swimwear has established itself at the top of our best seller list for its cute and affordable style. The timeless mix-n-match trend is re-invented in this paisley striped suit that is sweet and sexy. The hipster bottom adds a little touch of demure to a luscious style, and at $61 for the entire suit, who can resist?

View all Phax swimwear for more styles like this one.

For the third year in a row, Agua Bendita Swimwear graces the pages of the hottest Swimsuit Issue of the year, Sports Illustrated. This time it’s with the Agua Magica bikini, a couture suit featuring underwire cups and a special crochet design below the bust. In the trendy orange and fuchsia tones for this season, Agua Bendita created a heart-shaped design with textured fabric that is crocheted onto the suit. Aptly name Agua Magica (Magic), this suit will make heads turn. The very sexy model Julie Henderson poses for the SI shoot.

Shot in Cappadocia, Turkey, this shoot is inspired by a Mediterranean theme. The sandy mountains in the background as well as the head covering represents the inspiration behind the sexy shoot.  The Agua Magica bottom also features the heart-shaped crochet design and provides moderate coverage in the rear. Top provides adjustable straps and clips at back.

Agua Bendita has established itself as a force of its own, with elite designs unlike the typical styles seen before. Agua Bendita has created a loyal brand of almost cult-like followers, whom are a testament to the superior quality and originality of their swimsuits. Agua Bendita has wooed the tastes of Sports Illustrated’s editors who are among the first in line to browse their designs as soon as they are released.

The Sports Illustrated 2009 Swimsuit Issue has arrived! And with it comes a slew of hot designer swimwear which includes a couple of our very own brands. Maaji Swimwear was one of the hot tickets for this season, with up-and-coming super model Daniella Sarahyba posing for a number of shots in Naples, Italy. The local vespa bike has become an icon of southern Italy charm, and Daniella sure had fun with it!

      

Also included in the SI shoot were Agua Bendita Swimwear, OndadeMar, and Vix, which will be  featured in upcoming posts.

You shouldn’t have to compromise style over price. That is why we are absolutely enthralled with the new line from Phax Swimwear. Their 2009 collection boasts fabulous designs at even more fabulous prices. With Phax suits ranging from $55-$85, it is surprising to see styles featuring padded tops, sequin detail, beaded straps, and crochet appliqués. And we’re not just talking about two-piece bikinis here. They offer various styles of sexy tankinis, monokinis, and one piece swimsuits as well, making it easy for a woman of any shape and size to find something for her.

The Phax 2009 line debuted this January with a lot of oohs and ahhs and we are excited to bring them to you. This season’s must have items are the Lala Tankini and Monokini, as featured below:

These sexy swimsuits feature padding at bust and moderate to full coverage at the rear. At $67 for the cutout and $77 for the tankini, they are quite a steal!

The entire collection’s coherence comes in the fun, feminine, flirty fashions that exemplify Betsey Johnson’s persona. The 2009 swimsuit collection is almost inspired by lingerie, but without feeling like you’re in your underwear when you wear it. You get the distinct feeling it was created to make you prance around your bedroom.

A great thing about the collection of cover-ups is that they all in essence, day-to-night wear. It is easy to wear a dress from this collection over your swimsuit and then go home, throw on some heels, add lipstick, and wear it for a night out. Our mind wanders into all the occasions that would be ideal to don Betsey Johnson’s dress cover-ups… in yachts, island retreats, cruise getaways, pool parties, and the list goes on.

But apart from the collections versatility, the best thing by far about these dresses is its price tag. While a regular Betsey Johnson dress can set you back $300-500 on average, our selection of coverup dresses are only in the $90-200 range. Affordable, fashionable, and sexy. Not a bad way to complement your swimsuit. Hope they have a red carpet at the resort you booked!

Browse all Betsey Johnson Swimwear 2009.

We doubt the White House has any prospect for pool parties (at least outdoor ones), but I presume Camp David has a lake at least?

If so, we got to thinking, what would we suggest for Hilary Clinton vs. Sarah Palin in a swimsuit contest? We tallied up our fashion expert votes, and have the answers below!

Behind the contrived front that Hilary portrays most of the time, there is something a bit sexy about the Democrat Congresswoman. We’d put Hilary in a sexy one-piece black swimsuit with a brazilian cut back. We can see in her facial expressions she has an inner sensuality that is bursting to come out. The silver empire waist belt adds a little pizzazz to a classy suit:

Now, a more controversial decision is choosing a swimsuit for Sarah. At tally’s end, the majority agreed that Palin is a bit more comfortable in the limelight than Hilary will ever be. The once beauty queen, anchorwoman, and Tina Fey look-alike definitely seems like she’d be most likely to host a pool party for McCain, Bush, Rumsfeld, and all the others!

So it is only natural that Palin would don a pinup-girl inspired brazilian bikini. Rocking the school teacher appearance would make a great tie in, so this is what comes to mind:

Of course, ideally we’d have a woman in the White House who is the adept to lead as politician, not just someone who got there simply because she is female. But imagining a swimwear role play battle definitely gives us some food for thought!

The premise of a mermaid-like, water-loving woman with a spirit and strength unlike females of its day ties in flawlessly with Agua Bendita’s theme and their creation of couture swimsuits for women.

So, what can high- spirited, feisty, and adventurous women of today expect for the new 2009 line?

Plenty of swimsuit embroidery, ruffle trim galore, crochet bikinis, knitted coverups, designer beach bags, and flower detail. Here’s a sneak peek at Agua Bendita Swimwear 2009!

To shop for these swimsuits, visit our Agua Bendita page.

XOXO

*Source: Wikipedia