The Style Files: CFW Swim 2015 

Everyone’s idea of the perfect bikini or one-piece is different, are you buying for chic pool-side lounging only or serious splashing about in the sea?

Choosing the right swimwear can be one of the most challenging sartorial conundrums. Bikini or one-piece? Classic or unconventional? Glamorous or minimalist? The questions are endless. Shopping for swimwear is no easy feat - everyone's body is different and there’s such diverse tastes to cater for - so I can only imagine that designing a swim line must be even harder.

Arugam Bay Beachwear

Thankfully (to answer some of those questions) last weekend was the much awaited Colombo Fashion Week Swim 2016. It played host to the latest collections of Sri Lankan and international swimwear labels from both established and up and coming  designers, manufactured by Linea Aqua, a CFW partner. Beautifully conceived and conceptualized by Ajai Vir Singh and the CFW team, models strutted and sashayed down ramps that were constructed over the water of the Hilton Colombo pool. Designers showcased everything from florals to fringes with cut-outs, jewelled embellishing and glorious bursts of pop colours.

Buddhi Batiks

Sanchita (a renowned Indian designer who has created swimwear for power houses Armani and La Perla) closed day one with a high voltage, glamourous collection with an incredible wow factor. New comer Rushika Fernando’s label Rum Punch showed a collection that was young, fun and sporty staying true to their island spirit.  Upeksha's florals were girlishy sweet and exquisitely styled.

Shivan & Narresh's (India's first luxury swimwear brand) collection titled "Henri's Garden" took its inspiration from French artist, Henri Rousseau ‘s canvases of visits to botanical gardens. The mix of cruise, resort and jewelled swimwear was everything you could want from a swim line and was highlighted by the brand's signature cut-outs. A real visual treat.

Rum Punch (left) and Sanchita (right)

We’ve come to expect great things from Buddhi Batiks by Darshi Keerthisena and she didn’t disappoint. Her swim collection seemed made to order for the fashionable and confident woman, who wants to make a statement wherever she is. Made from luxurious fabrics, the collection felt designed to suit women of all body shapes - with skimpy for the young and lithe, and retro girly ruffled one-shoulder swimsuits for those wanting a more clothed look. Her coverups (jumpsuits and dresses) in floaty chiffons and beautiful shades of blue felt both nautical with the batiked stripe and wonderfully feminine with the ruffles, inspired! As was the pop of hot pink with paisley detailing coverup.

Shivan & Narresh (left) and U by Upeksha (right)

The men's collection for Arugam Bay by Ajai Vir Singh was the kind of swimwear that is both functional and incredibly stylish, Arugam Bay has become the key label for Colombo’s modern man to go to, for this look. Its block colours and tropical prints are distinctive and the shorter length works incredibly well.

Colombo Fashion Week's Swim was introduced as a third season in the annual CFW calendar. All the design talent showcased at this inaugural event was exceptional and I’m excited for what comes next.

By Minoli Ratnayake