You never know who you'll run into at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami Beach. New York Fashion Week's scantily-clad little sister features four straight days of runway shows, presentations, trade shows and endless industry parties, all focused on one thing -- bikinis.
Between the catwalk madness, we managed to corner some of the best designers in the business and grill them all on things swimwear. From how to take care of your bathing suit to the best sunscreens on the market, we got the answers to all your burning questions.
What's the one swimsuit every woman should own?
Tori Praver (Tori Praver): A good little black bikini. The LBB!
How do you make sure your swimsuit fits properly?
Tori Praver: You definitely don't want it to be too tight or cutting into the skin or bulging. A lot of time people buy too small. But also people sometimes buy too much of a full coverage bottom, and it can make your butt look a little frumpy. Buying a little bit smaller bottom coverage than you're used to can make you look better.
Designer Tori Praver in her own creations. (Toripraverswimwear.com)
How do you care for your swimwear?
Sue Di Chio (Suboo): Definitely try not to sit on any [rough] surfaces. If it's grouty, put a sarong down before you sit on it. And just be sure you rinse them as soon as you leave the beach.
Kalani Miller (Mikoh): I actually just wear it into the shower and then take whatever light, mild soap is in there, and I like to hand wash it. Hang it dry overnight in the shower and then let it hang dry in a place [with good air circulation]. A lot of people think you can just throw it in with your other clothes.
Oleema Miller (Mikoh): Wear it into the shower, hang it up to dry and leave it.
Mara Hoffman (Mara Hoffman): I cold wash and hang. And to be real honest, I sometimes throw everything in the machine.
Designer Mara Hoffman poses with models backstage at the Mara Hoffman Swim fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2015 at The Raleigh Hotel on July 19, 2014 in Miami Beach. (Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)
What should you look for when bathing suit shopping?
David Blond (Beach Bunny): At the end of the day, you have to wear something that you feel comfortable in, that fits you well and that expresses your personality.
David Blond, Beach Bunny designer Angela Chittenden, center, and Phillipe Blond (far right) backstage at the Beach Bunny Featuring The Blonds show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2015 at The Raleigh on July 18, 2014 in Miami Beach. (Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for TRESemme)
How did you find the inspiration to make the leap of starting your own label?
Oleema Miller: We were taught as children to do something where at the end of the day, it doesn't feel like work. I'm a free-spirited person and I've always prided myself on taking the road less traveled. My senior year in high school I decided this is the time -- it's time to take the leap of faith and go out and do something that I was going to feel very proud of and dedicated to and fulfilled by.
Oleema Miller and Kalani Miller, right, at the Mikoh fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2015 at The Raleigh Hotel on July 19, 2014 in Miami Beach. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)
Do you have a favorite sunscreen?
Tori Praver: I love Eminence Organics, they do a face stick in a powder. And Honest makes great sunscreen -- that's what I use on myself and my daughter.
Kalani Miller: Yes! One of our friends actually started a company, it's called Shade sunscreen. And it goes on matte. A lot of times when you put on sunscreen it goes on oily or it's too thick. This one blends almost like a moisturizer, and they have tinted and regular. It's good to have options.
Designer Sue Di Chio, right, backstage at Suboo's show at MBFW Miami Swim at The Raleigh on July 20, 2014 in Miami Beach. (Photo by Sergi Alexander/Getty Images for Pandora)
What's the best way to go from the beach to dinner?
Tori Praver: To go from the beach with salty hair, I love that look. A good cover-up, a little lip gloss and some spray in the hair, and that's it. A Moroccan oil or a serum to keep the frizz down when your hair is salty, that's good to throw in your beach bag.
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