Haute Natured Bikinis

Bathing suits celebrate nature --the sun, the ocean and for some, the physique. Together it's a celebration of life. What is a celebration for a fashionista without a flattering, eye-catching bikini! So how does an environmentally conscious bikini-ista come to terms with Mother Nature, where synthetics and other ocean-harming byproducts still reign in the apparel industry?

This past Friday, in fashion and body-conscious Miami Beach, eco-sensitive fashionistas can sigh relief and celebrate.  Haute Natured was the first annual sustainable swimwear show at last week's Fashion Swim Miami week at the swanky Setai hotel in South Beach.

The 50 foot “walk-on-water” runway at the Setai shone a spotlight on designs made from recycled bottles, upcycled fabrics and repurposed military parachutes but still figure flattering. It's called innovation!

Ladies, the designs covered the landscape from the classic polka dot bikini, to the always-slimming  one- piece black bathing suit, to the all-time favorite two piece bikini. See below! (Photos courtesy of EcoSwim).

If you were expecting outlandish, well there was a dash of "expect the unexpected" styles. Below is bathing suit entirely crafted with plastics. They are repurposed for this apparel rather than finding its way into a landfill.

We've seen the plastic six pack liners and bottle caps floating in the rivers, oceans and bays. In the first photo,  these environmental taboos are reused as decorative hardware and make a statement.

Bold can be beautiful. Designers say eco-couture reflects a lifestyle choice and should appeal to women who, for instance, buy organic food and products. It's an ethic that emphasizes health and balanced, sustainable living, not a return to the hippie era, when the clunky Birkenstock sandal defined environmental fashion.

Going Green can be beautiful.

To view the entire line of Eco Swim by Acqua Green visit their website.