Olivia Lopez, the “Lust For Life” fashion blogger, recently hosted Billabong’s “A Bikini Kinda Life” at the beautiful Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, California. In a preview suite, Billabong gave a sneak peak into their Summer 2015 swimwear collection that consists of pieces that cater to “sirens of the sea,” or beach babes that live and breathe in the ocean. Not literally, of course, but what girl hasn’t dreamed of being a mermaid? Billabong’s summer collection won’t turn your legs into fins, but by the looks of it, it will certainly have you feeling stylish and comfortable whether you’re kicking your feet in the sand or exploring under the sea.
After checking out the preview suite and adoring the outdoor decor that allowed city life and beach life to mingle, I settled into an upstairs lounge that overlooked the Los Angeles lights.
Apparently, I picked the perfect place to sit! I chatted it up with Deborah Wright, a swim coach from Orange County who gave me more than a fashionable viewpoint of Billabong’s new collection. Other than predicting a retro trend for this summer, she shared her favorite pieces with me.
“I thought it was cool how they used the wet suit material to make the bathing suits,” Wright tells me over the DJ’s music.
This wet suit material is called neoprene. Wright adds that this material will not only help you float, it will keep you warm in those chilly ocean temperatures.
“You can wear it to surf and look cute, too!” Wright raves. Here is a closer look:
After Billabong’s preview, I caught up with Olivia Lopez for her take on the collection.
Audrey Magazine: How would you describe Billabong’s 2015 swimwear line?
Olivia Lopez: Billabong’s 2015 collection is eclectic and colorful with a mix of a throwback. Some of the graphics paid an homage to the heritage of the band with the use of different Billabong logos from the archive and revisiting silhouettes from past collections.
AM: How would you describe “A Bikini Kinda Life?”
OL: “A Bikini Kinda Life” is all about a girl whose bikini is her second skin. It’s the first thing that she puts on in the morning and the last thing she takes off. It’s about salty skin, tan lines and the freedom of being by the beach.
AM: What was your favorite swimsuit or piece from the preview?
OL: My favorite piece from the collection was the black neoprene, a two-piece bikini that literally feels like a second skin.
AM: What’s your favorite vacation spot?
OL: It’s a tie between Rio and Tulum. Rio for the insane views that loom over the city and Tulum for an unmatched sunset.
It seems like the neoprene suits are a huge hit! What do you think of Billabong’s 2015 summer collection? Do you live “A Bikini Kinda Life”?
Feature image courtesy of Steven Meiers.
