LISA BLUE SWIMWEAR- By Paige Saville

Casey Evans and Paige Saville

Love it or loathe it, it's bikini season. Yup, that time of year when squats and lunges sound like words from the devils vocabulary, and the delightful tastes of winters guilty pleasures become not so worth it. Wipe that realisation off your face and delve into the good stuff! Summer crushes, icy cold refreshments, sunset soirees and swim-wear!

200+  invited guests clamoured into the breezy Komune Beach Club and Resort in Coolangatta for the second instalment of  'From South Beach With Love'. The vibe was casually luxe and very relaxed, with the catwalk sprawled over the pool and bean bag style lounge seats spaced across the wooden decking. On hand to quench the thirsts of a parched crowd was Vodka O and Redbull. Fashion offerings came in the form of parades by designer Lisa Burke, with her label Lisa Blue back from the catwalks of Miami Fashion Week.

Ok lets just take a moment to pause, so I can shamelessly steal a Rachel Zoe catch phrase... the new Lisa Blue collection is major!

I'll admit I'm a fashion hungry individual, so nothing satisfies my appetite more than a label which comes with a side serving of social responsibility. Lisa is passionate about saving the whales, and it's more than just a marketing ploy, she actually donates 25% off net profits to the Whale Conservation Society, which is such a legitimate cause! A sickening thought: despite international bans more than 2,000 whales will be harpooned for commercial markets this year.

(Not meaning to sound like a tacky infomercial) But wait... There's more! Another element making this Byron Bay based designer so completely rad is her 2010/11 prints. They're based on amazingly intricate Australian Aboriginal paintings, with the artist who inspired it haling from the Mirning (which translates to whale) tribe. How cool is that?! She's still always focused on her cause!

A little side tracked there, lets head back to the Komune event. It wasn't just your run of the mill parade. The first of two shows opened with a Didgerido player, who left everyone entranced. Babes from Division Model Management sashayed down the catwalk along with Lisa's own model muse, indigenous beauty Tamara Flanagan.

Designer Lisa Burke 

I'll spare you the design descriptions, I don't quite think my words would do them justice, go check out www.lisablue.com.au, seriously though it's worth it! The fabric is imported from Italy and it's all crafted in Australia (Note worthy: Her Renaissance art mixed with French lace patterns... EPIC)!

No word of a lie, I cannot wait for the next From South Beach With Love!

xx++ Paige.

avandia recall

Glamorous Life Swimwear By Joanne Rohn

Joanne Rahn (right) at the Business GC Swimwear Runway Showcase

Swimwear designer, Joanne Rahn is making a splash in the fashion industry. Joanne's designs took a leap into fashion five years ago starting MOJOZ Swimwear, a label designed for fashion conscious females who like to stand out in the crowd. She was named as a finalist in the inaugural FashionTV Online Design Awards this month in the Swim/Resortwear category for her second luxury swimwear label, Glamorous Life by Joanne Rahn. The Gold Coast born and bred fashionista is debuting her third swimwear label, Lovebirds Australia at the Brisbane Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival.

 Joanne's label, Glamorous Life by Joanne Rahn is aimed at sophisticated women of all ages who demand high-quality and high-fashion in equal measures. Made from deluxe Italian lycras and stretch lace, the inaugural collection is luxurious, elegant, and the very definition of resort-chic. 

Glamorous Life by Joanne Rahn will be released in Summer 2011, and available to purchase from select boutiques worldwide. Her new collection, Lovebirds Australia features gorgeous, functional and fun high-fashion swimwear for women of all ages, and body shapes.

The collection hits a fabulous note that is sexy, and also flattering and comfortable. Joanne says: "Lovebirds Australia not only features stunning contemporary design, the range also offers subtle support and control which gives our clients the body confidence to enjoy their new swimwear on all occasions - from pool to beach."

The piece pictured above is my absolute favourite! I love Joanne's designs. They are fresh, fun, classy and unique. The colours she uses are just gorgeous and would flatter anyone by drawing the eye away from the bits women don't usually like on show! Needless to say I am a huge fan and cannot wait to see her new label Lovebirds!

Joanne's swimwear will be at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane in the Queensland Government Design Innovation Group Show on Tuesday the 10th of August at 7.30pm Tickets are only $33 www.qtix.com.au