September 8, 2007

Rosa Chá’s spring 2008 collection was what a swimsuit show should be: the perfect mix of sex and glamour channeled into some fiercely original designs. Celebrity fans dotted the rows, including Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe, a newly-buzzed Mena Suvari, and the taut-faced Ivana Trump. A series of seriously structured suits with tops reminiscent of Roman breastplates opened the show. This focus on the chest continued with pin-up style suits—high waisted, full coverage bottoms set off by pointed bra tops that Madonna circa 1990 would approve of. Designer Amir Slama worked with a palette of muted greys and pinks like many other designers of the season, and also hinted at the ‘60s with a set of geometric suits—blocks of color in asymmetrical cuts, including a surprising number of one piece cutouts. Not to be outdone, the final suits of the show, designed with lasers, were quite literally on the cutting edge.