| The woman of the new millenium is being
described in Italy as very hi-tech, and a little bit hippie. It
may sound like a contradiction in terms, but not so with the Italian
fashion accessories of the season, which successfully fuse together
futuristic with earthy to achieve the dazzling new sought after
look. Come to the seaside for a stroll down the boardwalk with Dolcevita
to get a sneak preview of the new trends in sunglasses, bathing
suits and bags you're bound to see in the hot months ahead.
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Bathing Suits
This year the bikini, in its most minimal variations, wins hands
down over the one-piece. The bikini reigned on the Milanese catwalks
and was elegantly displayed by the most popular top models in the
industry.
Thongs, monokinis, bikinis, trikinis, pubikinis, tankinis are the
revealing "ins" for the first summer of the millenium. The idea
is to dress to show more, and to cover with transparency. One of
the leading names in Italian swimwear design, Blumarine,
agrees with the concept of transparency, but without vulgarity.
Too much nudity can be reduced with embroidery making clothes more
wearable. La Perla's Oceano line proposes metallic effect
microfibers, neo-hippie style, geometric and floral prints and pearl
embroidery, with sixties low, hip-hugging bottoms and triangle cups
on top.
The most advanced synthetic materials such as elastic stretch or
neoprene (what wet suits are made of!) are interwoven with the most
traditional materials like jersey cotton, linen, satin or silk to
create the most innovative and elaborate designs. As for colors,
we'll be seeing the return of white bases adorned with colorful
designs, yellow, orange, lime green, fuchsia, sky blue in their
brightest of forms. Black will be more seductive than ever.
A long, light and flowing caftan, skirt or pair of loose-fitting
trousers transforms a bikini into this summer's eveningwear. |
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Bags
Several different styles have simultaneously entered this summer's
bag scene making it tough for anyone to choose just one! Bags
made from shiny hi-tech materials that seem to want to capture
the light are prominent in this year's collections. The bags of
the year 2000 come in a wide range of colors from shockingly bright
to cool pastel. Flower power is a strong theme, which comes through
loud and clear in the many cheerful floral designs available.
Sewed on, printed, embroidered, painted, dried, in organza, patent
leather, leather, plastic, however you like them, flowers are
definitely in. Other styles to look out for are cowhide, ethnic,
pearl embroidery and mother of pearl effect. Oh, and just in case
you need a neoprene purse to go with your new neoprene bikini,
you'll find that, too!
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Sunglasses
Summer 2000 sunglasses are hi-tech in terms of form as well
as material. Soft and natural made from the most futuristic materials
possible, this year's trend gives way to the super modern as well
as the modernized return of the sixties classics.
Frames in metallic, soft tones help in attaining the celestial look
of the future. Grays, blues, pinks, violets, browns, and of course,
black. More color expression will be seen in lenses, which will
come in a rainbow of shades: blue, green, orange or pink. Lenses
will be made from new materials like policarbonate, in order to
make them anti-reflective or treated to minimize scratching.
Sunglasses will be taking on a form reminiscent of the glamorous
Grace Kelly look. Thicker frames bring the sixties Ray-Ban style
back into play, or larger squares resembling 3-D glasses are also
seen in this summer's collections.
Inspired by the revealing transparency fashion trend are smaller
or practically non-existent frames in neutral colors that promote
a subtle, almost bare aspect. To the other extreme, the younger
crowd will be sporting sunglasses that resemble diving masks, with
lenses that go all around the contour of the frames providing maximum
optic protection. |
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