Kim Kardashian in Harper's Bazaar

We find ourselves talking about Kim Kardashian a whole lot lately, with all the exposure she’s been getting on the gossip and fashion mags. Her recent shoot for the March issue of Harper’s Bazaar features Kim channeling Cleopatra. The sassy spread gives a modern twist to the sexy character made famous by iconic Elizabeth Taylor (whom Kardashian interviews for the magazine, btw).

We love that Kim is styled in a series of gold-inspired outfits, as well as one of her signature style, featuring animal prints. This look is so chic and easily translates into beach fashion. As designer swimwear stylists, we adore animal print swimsuits and recommend a couple of suits that mirror Kim’s sexy look.

A great feature you may want to add to an animal print luxury swimsuit is an underwire top. The Into the Wild one Piece by Nanette Lepore Swimwear does exactly this. With its pinup swimwear flair, this style finishes off the look with a corset-style lace-up in the back and black accented trim. If you have Kim’s body type, this is definitely one great option.

Wild by Nanette Lepore

Emmie by Phax

Wildlife Halter by Paradizia

Another style that fits flawlessly into this look is the Emmie One Piece by Phax Swimwear. This padded swimsuit features a halter top for shape and support as well as a black belt in faux leather for accenting the sexy flair. With full coverage on the rear, you can make sure you’re covered in all the right places.

Lastly, if you’re looking for a sizzling two piece bikini option, you may want to consider the Wildlife Halter by Paradizia Swimwear. This ultra sexy bikini features cinching down the rear and provides very narrow brazilian cut coverage. If you’re looking to make jaws drop, this is your look. Of course, the gold studes and ruffles down the halter top trim don’t hurt either.

There you have it girls! Gold and leopard prints are all the rage. Kimmy’s right on trend.

Lea Michelle at the Emmys

As you know, at TheOrchidBoutique, we’re suckers for a good awards show and Sunday night’s 62nd Emmy Awards was certainly no exception. Though Jimmy Fallon made us laugh all night and we were so happy to see some of our favorite shows win deserved awards, our favorite part was admittedly the Red Carpet show before the actual awards ceremony.

We love watching the celebs walk the red carpet and last night was definitely no exception. One of our favorite trends that we were seeing everywhere last night was ruffles. We fell in love with Lea Michele’s gorgeous flamenco-style dress by Oscar de la Renta and she looked simply radiant in this girly look (no doubt helped out by the fact that yesterday was also her birthday!).

ruffled Isabelle Two Piece

Though her flowy, over-the-top skirt was perfect for the Emmy awards, we think a subtler and flirtier look suits swimwear a bit better. Our pick for rocking this trend is the Isabelle Two-Piece by PHAX Swimwear. Understated but still attention-getting, this suit is the perfect representation of this frilly trend.

We can’t wait to copy Lea’s style and don our own little ruffled swimsuit!

Alicia Two-Piece by Phax

Fashionistas rejoice! If there is a deal for a designer bikini you will find it here. The sizzling new arrival from Phax Swimwear is called the Alicia Two Piece, a sexy little bikini priced at just $77.

Back View

The Alicia Two Piece features an array of paisley and polka dot prints, where fuchsia and black collide to contrast into sexy. The top features removable pads for shape and support, and the sliding triangles on the top allow you to adjust their coverage preference. The ripple effect at the trim is present at both top and bottom as a flirty factor type of detail. The bottom, with ruffled edges and polka dot print, features an embroidered turquoise pattern at the rear. The cut in the back provides moderate coverage, meaning it is a cheeky style in between brazilian cut and full coverage. Already being voted by orchid shoppers a summer favorite, at this price, it’s a definite must-have.

Get yours here.

Close-up

Twisted Bandeau by Phax, $71

We don’t know about you, but we’re definitely feeling the heat. And the change in weather means only one thing: Summer is just around the corner. God knows, we’re all geared up to live and breath beachside until next winter.

A good two-piece swimsuit recommendation if you’re browsing for sexy bikinis is the Striped Twisted Bandeau by Phax Swimwear. This bandeau swimsuit top features the decorative twisted detail at center, and also comes with removable padding for shape and support. The retro chic look reminiscent of the eighties is right on trend, and at $71, it’s quite a steal.

Get the Striped Twisted Bandeau here.

Paradise Monokini by Phax, $72

We’re so excited about our new arrivals of Phax Swimwear that we can’t help but rave about them. That’s why this Featured Item Tuesday is devoted to Phax’s Paradise Monokini. This swimsuit combines the retro gingham and tropical prints with the modern cutout monokini style.

The Paradise Monokini is perfect for those still attached to the bikini look and don’t necessarily want a suit that looks like a one piece from the front. The cutout design allows for your belly button to still say hello, while maintaining the monokini trend. Also this suit has a triangle sliding top with removable padding which provides great shape and support, because you can custom the fit to your body.

Another amazing detail about this suit is that it’s only $72!! A steal for a designer swimwear item.  In fact,  all of Phax’s swimsuits in the 2010 collection are under $100! Check out the others here.

Now it’s that it’s spring, go out and make a splash.

Black Smocked Monokini by Phax, $77

We search far and wide to offer our swimwear shoppers the best styles out there. That’s why it is our mission to carry the new 2010 swimsuits in a wide variety of prices and looks. We are excited to debut the arrival of the Black Smocked Monokini by Phax. This cutout piece features smocked detail in the bandeau top with ruffle trim. It comes with removable padding for shape and support, for those of us bandeau lovers who need a little support in the top area.

The Black Smocked Monokini is our pick as a good option to  spruce up your monokini selection if you are into black (which is totally on trend this season, btw). This swimsuit ties at back and provides moderate coverage in the rear. “Moderate cut bottoms” refer to a style in between brazilian cut (narrow) and full (granny-panty). A sort of moderate but sexy cut that offers modesty with a cheeky design.

The best part about this monokini is it’s just $77! A steal in comparison to other designer bathing suits out there. Phax Swimwear is committed to offering fashionistas a designer option without the designer price tag. That’s why all their swimsuits are under $100! And we have the inside on their new designs. Check them out here.

Check out the Aqua Embroidered String Bikini, the Kulehbra Monokini, and the Raquel Frills in our video.

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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!

Over the last years, brands like Agua Bendita, Maaji, and Phax Swimwear began looking into a way to make string bikinis sexier and more flattering to women of distinct body types.
A perfect example of the above point is the Agua Dulce bikini from Agua Bendita.

As seen below, the thick strings made of superior spandex fabric eliminate the muffin top look and lets you tie as tight as desired:

The secret lies in the novel inward stitching techniques that have been developed with these designer swimsuits. It is what distinguishes mainstream brands from truly designer bathing suits, and even among couture styles, it is what determines their superior cut and fit. The most important strategy to create a flattering beach look is to buy an elastic-free string bikini. This means the designer excludes the elastic band previously sewn into the strings that, once tightened, makes the swimsuit cut into the skin. Instead, the strings are sewn inwardly and are made purely of spandex fabric. In this way, the string two-piece can be pulled tightly without producing extra tension, and therefore creating a designer fit. The truth is, everyone’s body has a flattering side, and the key is finding designer swimwear that fits your style.

String bikinis can be sexy if they are made to fit right.

If you need to purchase separates, you might like to try the very similar Agua Felina style, which can be sold in different sizes for top & bottom. The elastic-free strings in this bikini allow for more breathing room on the hips and below the dreaded love handle area:

String bottoms are also available in designer one-piece suits. The very couture Metallic Bandeau Cutout from Maaji offers brown strings on this style’s bottom:

However, if you are into simpler looks, Phax swimwear’s Vallie String Monokini could do the trick: