Blue rondo à la Turks & Caicos: Behind-the-scenes at Zimmermann's high summer shoot

So the world’s biggest bikini fest has just wrapped in Miami. No, not IMG’s runway event, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim at the Raleigh Hotel, but that’s certainly part of the action that revolves around the Miami SwimShow, the premier swimwear showcase staged each July by the Florida Swimwear Association. Zimmermann was front and centre at the latter event, as they have been for over a decade (only appearing on IMG’s runway a couple of times). After checking out the summer popup store in New York and continuing to scout for a more permanent NY location, most of the Zimmermann camp then headed to the West Indies’ Turks and Caicos Islands last week to shoot a campaign for the brand's new high summer collection, which bows in October. Here are a few behind-the-scenes shots of New York-based photographer David Roemer, model Jessica Marie and the Oz hair, makeup and styling team of Louisa Gent, Jodie Boland and Tamila Purvis shooting in and around the islands' turquoise waters. It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it.

White Sands headed to the Miami runway - but Zimmermann bypasses IMG for New York

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It’s July, it must be time for the world’s biggest bikini show. Yep, the Swimwear Association of Florida’s SwimShow runs from July 18-21 at the Miami Beach Convention Center and as usual, a swarm of local swimwear brands is heading to it. At least 13 Antipodian brands are listed in the lineup, from Anna & Boy to Camilla, Tigerlily, Jets, Seafolly and Zimmermann. With 350 exhibitors, 2000 swimwear lines, 2000 US buyers - and buyers from 50 other markets - Miami is the place to be for anyone in the swimwear biz. Separate to this event - which takes a traditional trade show booth format - IMG runs a smaller, glitzier runway showcase called Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim at Miami’s Raleigh Hotel. This year it runs from July 15-19 and on July 18 at 8pm, Leah Madden’s White Sands will become the second Australian brand after Zimmermann to appear on IMG’s runway. Interestingly, after two consecutive years showing at both the SwimShow and IMG's event, this year Zimmermann is ditching IMG's schedule and heading straight from the Miami Beach Convention Centre to New York for an independent presentation at the Empire Hotel on July 22. Then again, Zimmermann has already invested in two IMG FASHION Asia Pacific events this year: February's inaugural Swim Fashion Week and May's RAFW.

Zimmermann in Miami

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Here is a preview of Zimmermann’s Cruise 2009 collection show staged a couple of hours ago at Miami's Raleigh Hotel as part of the Miami Swim event.

The swimwear includes bodycon balconets and underwired construction in 50s-look bikini tops and cutout maillots, as well as soft triangle and string bikinis in geometric prints and western chambray.

The Zimmermann brand is known for its original prints and this collection features seven designs – including the Russian folkloric-look ‘Babushka’ design pictured below.


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The show was styled by Sydney-based Tamila Purvis. It’s Zimmermann’s second consecutive Miami Swim show.

Click here to see IMG's video of the show.







all six images above: getty via mercedes benz fashion week miami