Anika Brazil Swimwear
From LoveToKnow Swimsuits
Monika Hornbostel is Anika Brazil Swimwear. You'll find her stylish and sexy swimsuits displayed in such upscale department stores as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barneys.
Monika moved from the USA to Brazil after finishing her education, and currently resides there with her husband and infant daughter, whose favorite teething material is, what else, Lycra!
LoveToKnow Swimsuits is happy to have the opportunity to speak with Monika about the prevailing trends in Brazilian swimwear, general attitudes about revealing swimwear versus body images, and what's in store for the 2007 Anika Brazil Swimwear line.
Monika, tell us a bit about yourself and Anika Brazil Swimwear.
Anika was my first baby, and totally bicultural! I spent my adolescence here in Rio de Janeiro, and desperately wanted to come back as soon as possible. After finishing at Brown University and doing some seriously boring banking work, I realized I really had to rush back to Rio FAST.
Once I moved back (thinking that I wanted to work in the music industry), Brazilian bikinis really caught my eye. For our first collection, I wanted to do something really crazy and funky. The first legendary Anika bikini had a big lobster silk-screened right on the front of the bottoms with big claws coming out on both sides. We ended up selling more of that model in a brief to adventuresome men, but the press really loved our designs. The lobster, a crazy fish whose tail was the tie on the pant, and shrimp prints were all immediately featured in Elle and Latina.
That was five years ago, and the swimsuits have become much more sophisticated. Anika definitely grew up. Now our bathing suits are known for their opulent hand embroidery and incredible side pieces and embellishments. Brazil has incredible raw materials which are really beachy. I love to use mother of pearl, coconut and semi-precious stones, like amethyst. The bikinis become jewels because of their embellishment.
What do you think sets Brazilian suits apart from the rest?
Brazilian suits are incredible. Brazil, especially Rio, has a history of manufacturing bikinis. There's a huge assortment of styles to fit every size and taste with great quality. The quality starts with the fabric, and continues with amazing factories and embroiderers.
As an American living and designing in Brazil, do you notice a significant difference in attitudes toward swimwear?
Swimwear here means bikinis, and bikinis are for EVERYONE. It doesn’t matter if you weigh two-hundred pounds, you're pregnant, you're three years old or eighty years old. Everyone wears bikinis on the beach and everyone looks fabulous because they feel fabulous. It is a wonderful beach culture.
Has living in Brazil changed any of your own perceptions about swimwear?
It’s really a continuation of what I've said. Women have to feel great in their bikinis. American women seem to like to use more fabric to cover up, especially if they are heavier. But this tactic backfires- when there is more fabric, everything looks even bigger!
As a manufacturer, I have to cater to what my client likes and feels comfortable in, meaning our bikinis are definitely cut for the American market. The backside is full and the tops provide a good lift and coverage. In Brazil, you can't tell which is the front or the back of the bikini bottom!
Let's talk about your designs. Anika Brazil Swimwear is loaded with fun and unique details. What inspires you?
Anika is really about embellishments. I feel so many people do good prints etc., but there are few lines with the side pieces and neck details. I love working on them. They are like cool bracelets or necklaces.
I am really inspired by the nature in Brazil, which is incredible. Rio has the largest urban park in the world so I love to hike in the woods, walk to waterfalls and go to some of the more remote beaches. If you just stop and look, you see the most incredible colors in the leaves, flowers and butterflies.
I also love looking through interior decorating magazines. I adore British Elle Décor. Sometimes I see a lamp that I think would make the most incredible bikini...go figure!
Any prevailing tends in this year's line?
We're featuring beautiful, colorful murano glass embellishments. We've also added more embellishments on the neckline for those of us who don’t love our sides.
When does Anika's 2007 line premier?
Our Cruise line is already in stores! Spring will be available in mid-February.
Monika, thank you for spending time with us. Are there any final thoughts you'd like to add?
Swimwear is for women to feel great about themselves. It is almost like wearing “on the town” (or rather beach) lingerie. The pieces have to provide perfect fit and lift in all the right places, and also be gorgeous! I think and hope that Anika is able to do this for our loyal customers.
Shopping Links
You can view and/or purchase Anika Brazil Swimwear at the following locations.
Coming in February:
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