New Little Birdies In The Tree...Fresh Swim Labels On The Horizon

It's good to see change; it's great to see new innovations, especially in beach fashion.  There are a few, new swimwear labels that have caught our eye this year, due to their new vision and fresh approach to swimsuits and bikinis.  We've picked up a couple of them this winter and hope to bring you more, later in the season. 

First, one of our hometown faves, is Boys + Arrows Swimwear from our own home port of Ventura, CA.  Boys + Arrows Swimwear has sass and attitude and never apologizes for being who they are.  Designer, Meagan Scott, is fearless in her designs, uses only the best of materials and, let's face it, puts a little fun into everything that she does.  We like that...a California girl doin' good! 

Meagan Scott, designer for Boys + Arrows Swimwear

Boys + Arrows Swimwear 2012 - Havalah the Homewrecker Bikini

I know, we've already mentioned Tori Praver Swimwear, but since we're on the subject of new labels, her line is worth a second say.  Tori hails from another former home of ours, Hawaii, and so we feel that we understand her fashion speak.  We have watched her blossom from a beautiful Letarte model, to major runway and Sports Illustrated lass, and now, a talented swimwear designer.  As a surfer, she has the know-how of what it takes to create the perfect bikini.  We love her puckered, floral fabrics and chic on-pieces. 

Lily Bikini by Tori Praver Swimwear 2012

There are other lines that we're keeping our eye on.  One, is SHIMMI Swimwear, an LA based line that has a real, "spoiled brat," attitude...we like that.  Scarlett Chorvat and Alison Renner are the creative designers of SHIMMI Swimwear.  Both are successful models on a world wide scale and they've brought their experience and sense of style to SHIMMI.  There are lots of new bodies and shapes that we just haven't seen before.  We hope to bring you a tasting of their latest wares this spring.

We Are Handsome Swimwear has been making a big splash over the last couple of years.  The come from Australia (no, we've never lived there...but we'd like to someday.)  I just love their bold, artistic, photo-prints and clever shapes!  Those Australians...they keep coming on strong with their beach stuff. 

Recycled Swimwear by Rose, is just so wonderful!  Another SOCAL label that is very independent, an upstream swimmer, so to speak.  Rose Ponizil creates her designs from recycled clothing and garage sale finds, all spiffed up with ribbons and bows.  What comes off of her sewing machine is vintage looking and marvelous!  Cute, cute stuff!  We're hoping that she will give us the honor of carrying a few of her items this spring.

Looking across pond in search of new looks, we found a couple of other Euro lines that whipped at our whimsy.  Although, they aren't necessarily new, they're new to us:  Roseanna from France, Naelie (another French label,) and Guia la Bruna of Italy.  We'll keep a watch on them, as well. 

If you know of any other new swim designers on the horizon....please...we want to know about them.  drop us an email at info@tropi-ties.com.  Learning by word-of-mouth is always better than by hype.

~ C.

Waiting in the Doldrums for the 2011 Swimwear...Sigh...

August, September and October are always the slowest months in the retail swimwear world.  If our customers haven't gotten their swimsuit by mid-summer, then they probably won't get one at all.  It is a natural end of a retail cycle that all of us swimwear affectionados know all too well.  By September, we've seen most of the new lines and have placed our orders for the Cruise season.  Last season's swimsuits are just about sold out...thus begins the slow wait.  It's kind of like fishing in the afternoon.  Chances are, the fish won't bite until evening, but our lines are in the water, just in case.

:::Sigh:::

So now, it's mid-October and frankly, I'm getting a little antsy for the new styles to start arriving.  We have web pages to build, photos to take and the orders for the Thanksgiving vacationers start to shop for the latest and greatest in swimsuits and beachwear. 

This is also a time to reflect on our products and level of customer services offered.  Gawd knows...we can certainly do better.  Let's face it, last season, we were way too slow to refund our customers' returns.  We're sorry.  We also became just a bit intolerant with people asking us to bend our rules and we reluctantly had to continue with our restocking fee policy.  (Personally, I hate restocking fees, but it became necessary when our competitors secretly and continually ordered a slew of products from us, for whatever reason, and then sent them all back soiled, damaged and wreaking of perfume.  I mean...really...who does that?) 

Evita Bikini - Melissa Odabash Swimwear 2011

This year will be different.  We've tried hard to find the greatest products ever and we'll continue with that quest.  We plan to improve the web site with better graphics, have less typos and errors, more product information and of course, the lowest and best prices for our products. We also vow to have the very best customer service in our retailing sector and will even put public customer feedback comments on each and every product page, so people can tell the world just how good, OR bad we are.   We love our customers and want to pamper them in these rough, economic times to let them know that we really do appreciate and honor their patronage.  So, now's the time to say our, "Thank Yous," to all of our patrons for a great 2010 season.  THANK YOU TO ALL!!!  And now...the lights dim, there's rustling backstage...get ready...it's almost showtime for, "Swimwear 2011!"

~ C.