Vera Wang, she of that phenomenal body in Harper's Bazaar last month, does have a day job that doesn't involve posing in swimwear and heels.

She is, of course, one of America's most loved fashion designers, and the volume of stars in attendance at her New York Fashion Week show were testament to that fact.

Renee Zellweger and Leighton Meester were in the front row, while actress Viola Davis and tennis star Maria Sharapova were seated in prime position next to U.S. Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

Daring: Sheerer-than-sheer swathes of fabric allowed for plenty of sensual flashes of skin at Vera Wang

The future's orange: As well as greys taupes and teals, Ms Wang sent searing pops of neon down the runway

They were all there for the fashion, of course, which was based on the concept of 'clothing as sanctuary'.

Ms Wang's take on the theme was anything but safe, though. Sheerer-than-sheer swathes of fabric allowed for plenty of sensual flashes of skin, whether the shade was searing orange, teal blue or creamy champagne.

Her description in the show notes read: 'The body protectively enveloped in the soft armor of a fitted sheath, the sharp discipline of fencing-inspired jackets, the structured carapace of a coat.

Devoted fans: Leighton Meester (left) and Renee Zellweger sat on the designer's front row at the show today

Prime position: Actress Viola Davis and tennis star Maria Sharapova flanked Vogue editor Anna Wintour

'The female form revealed by smoky transparencies that allow a glimpse of skin and of delicate lingerie not meant to be hidden, but seen.'

Though the silhouettes were sleek and streamlined, they were also feminine, and Ms Wang played with proportions at the hips, adding peplums that added structure to the otherwise fluid garments.

The graphic prints on some of the fabrics also added to the idea of femininity, as the sharp lines curved and played around the models' bodies.

Back to the day job: Vera Wang, who posed in last month's Harper's Bazaar, takes her bow at the end

Leighton Meester, who fronts campaigns for one of the designer's fragrances, loves Vera Wang the woman as much as the label.

'She's a woman and she owns it,' she said. 'She's smart, quick and funny.'

She came to the show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to support 'Vera and all her wonderfulness.

'I am a big fan,' she added.

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Ocean Paradise, a specialist swimwear retailer in Singapore, will be launching a new celebrity bikini brand from Southern California, USA. Vitamin A is a brand that exudes chic simplicity that is perfect for the urban lifestyle apparel in Asia and has a range of fits that would allow ladies of all body shapes to look fabulous.

Ocean Paradise will launch a new bikini brand from USA that has inspired a cult-like following of Hollywood A-listers and international It girls. The label is often referred to as the Little Black Dress of swimwear for its chic and functional styles.

The Vitamin A Gold collection will be available at the Paragon and Tanglin Mall branches from 10 November 2011.

Laguna Beach local Amahlia Stevens has inspired a cult-like following of A-listers and bi-coastal beauties who are hooked on the designer’s effortlessly chic bikinis and coverups. Vitamin A fits like no other bikini on the market, and radiates natural sexiness like no other bikini on the beach. You have a recipe for Chic simplicity: a little bit 70’s, a little bit minimalist.

hat California ease and effortless sex appeal are in Stevens’ DNA. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, and veteran of the OC surf-skate industry, Stevens first began designing bikinis for herself in an old-school Laguna custom swim shop, then for friends, and now for a loyal base of jet-setting clientele. 

What started as a desire to create the ultimate shape, her ubiquitous “California Cut,” has evolved into a full resort wardrobe of sexy separates that really fit, and laidback luxe, “après beach” pieces that really travel.

 

Read more about Launch of new celebrity bikini brand ‘Vitamin A’ @ Fibre2fashion

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The designer swimwear shop and bespoke fitting and design service based off London’s King’s Road, designed specialist bikinis, Beach wear for Alex’s appearance at the Fitness America competition in Miami in 2009 – which was her first competition.


Hannah Smith, advisor for the bespoke range and store manager said: “We’ve always offered bespoke swimwear, but Alex was the first customer to approach us for costumes to wear in fitness competitions. Since then, other competitors have approached us, which has prompted us to offer this new service. We design the outfits in conjunction with the customer to make sure that it’s absolutely right for their personality and the image they want to convey - whether it’s covered in jewels or something more simple.”


Alex, originally from Northern Ireland, is a personal trainer and nutrition expert. Since entering the competitive circuit she has quickly attracted attention from the media, sports brands, and followers alike. She has been featured in numerous modeling shots and articles in a variety of magazines (Women’s Fitness, Ultra Fit, WBFF’s Fit and Firm, ExtraFit and Fitnorama), and is a Gaspari sponsored athlete. 


More recently, international fitness celebrity Jennifer Nicole-Lee has selected her to be one of the elite group of fitness models to accelerate their careers through her Fitness Model Factory. Alex’s next competition is the WBFF in Toronto on the 27th August.

Read More about Biondi Couture ropes in Alexandra Wilson @ Fibre2fashion

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Modeling swimwear comes second nature to Sports Illustrated and Beach Bunny supermodel Kate Upton so it was only a matter of time before she went behind the camera to create her own sexy designs. Kate Upton joins California based Beach Bunny to design suits that represent her fun and flirty personality. 


The 1st release of the label, “Kate Upton for Beach Bunny” is scheduled to launch on Beach Bunny Swimwear website and retail stores early 2012, however fans can get a sneak peak of her designs at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim this July as bikini clad Kate struts down the runway at the designer’s show.


Kate created 2 styles for her upcoming collection which includes sexy and modern cuts reflecting Beach Bunny's brand aesthetic fused with Kate’s vivacious personality. “Beach Bunny is my favorite swimsuit line out there and to be able to design for them is a dream come true,” says Kate. “I love all the embellishments and especially the lingerie details because they make you feel so sexy.”


Kate is no stranger to Beach Bunny. She first caught designer Angela Chittenden’s eye as a Guess girl and has since been the face of Beach Bunny’s many campaigns including the latest Beach Bunny Bride, an exclusive bridal swimwear collection and the label's new ready to wear line. Kate Upton exploded into the scene this year after she landed the coveted cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue with fellow Beach Bunny supermodel Irina Shayk, which she became Rookie of the Year for 2011. She was recently named Esquire’s Woman of the Year and has shot for countless publications. Kate has also worked with photographers Ellen Von Unwerth, Yu Tsai, Raphael Mazzucco, and Stewart Shining.

Read More Kate Upton for Beach Bunny to cause swimming sensation @ Fibre2fashion

View More Kate Upton Images

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Ksubi, then Tsubi, once had rats on their catwalk. And, yesterday, the label Terri Donna, presenting as part of the swim-wear and resort wear group show, sent a bikini-clad model clutching a shaved, dyed dog down the runway of Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal.

 

Reminiscent of the film Legally Blonde, dog and carrier were perfectly coordinated, down to their matching hair bows.

The cute factor was an obvious hit with the audience with many at the show raising their cameras to get a photo. Outside the show, a leashed Pomeranian, also dyed, was sighted.

Animal welfare organisation RSPCA ACT was unimpressed with the use of a dog as an accessory.

Chief executive Michael Linke said he disagreed with the shaving and dyeing of the dog for aesthetic reasons.

''Manipulating the animal, shaving it and changing it for a fashion show is not normal,'' he said. ''To make aesthetic changes to suit humans disrespects the animal.''

While the shaving was unlikely to cause the animal any profound suffering, unless it were susceptible to the cold, it could end up bothered by skin irritation.

The designer, Terri Donna, could not be reached for comment. 

The other shows in the group presentation were animal-free. Foxton Danger showed big, bold kaftans with huge tropical flower prints, ruffles to embellish and a kaleidoscope of vivid hues.

Karen Neilsen Collection offered digital prints of giant pairs of sunglasses and butterflies, scanty bikinis and body-baring tops. 

view more Terri Donna Images 

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