Since we arrived at Diva Resort in the Maldives, the COSMOPOLITAN Swimwear Shoot crew has been constantly amazed by the gorgeous, up-to-the-minute fashion being shown off - not by our own models (although Robynne Kahn has selected some truly smoking swimwear), but rather by the guests!
Many of the guests - particularly the Chinese women - look as though they've hired their own professional stylists to put together each day's outfit for them. We all agree these looks will probably only make it to South Africa in the next two years. So, in case you want to get ready for Summer 2013 now, here are five future summer fashion tips.
1. His and hers outfits.
Try not to choke on your cappuccino! Wearing cute matching ensembles is going to be the thing, especially when it comes to swimwear. Right now, in Diva's East restaurant (this resort has six restaurants), I can see two couples flaunting their togetherness. One pair are wearing pale stone tops and his and hers zebra-print shorts - hers are short, his are long. The other pair are wearing matching cartoon dog shirts and Hawaiian print Bermuda swim trunks - his are blue, hers are red. My vote goes to team zebra: the cartoon dogs are a tad scary.
2. Floaty, chiffon florals.
I'm no fashion fundi, but even I can see that the florals on display here are on a different level to the ones we get at home. Wear them either as full-length dresses with silk and button detail or as adorable, but minimalist above-the-knee babydolls.
3. Silk, lace and beadwork parasols.
So maybe this trend isn't practical for everyday use, but it looks sensational strolling down the wooden catwalk, erm, I mean boardwalk, at a resort in the Maldives. Plus, there's no chance of getting hat-hair.
4. Flip-flops with massive fabric flowers.
How these manage to look stylish is beyond me, but they do. I think the trick is to keep the rest of the ensemble as simple as possible and wear the flowers on your feet as your only accessory.
5. The perfect five-star island resort setting to strut your stuff.
These styles simply aren't going to look as incredible in the city as they do posed on white, sandy beaches under softly swaying palm fronds. Once you've got your wardrobe sorted, book at least ten days at a place like Diva to give those outfits the outing they deserve.
How do I know this is a hot trend? Well, put it this way: At a time when most hotels and tourist destinations are struggling, Diva is operating at 100% occupancy. Apparently after I arrived, there literally wasn't a single room left empty...
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