As a beach-going nation, we Aussies are usually appropriately tanned (bottled of course) and ‘sun, sand and surf’ ready on December 1, the official start of the Summer Down Under. On the other side on the world, where the temperature is below 0 and bathers are a distant memory from a season or holiday past, one designer is preparing to show Australia what she is made of with her extraordinary swimwear and resort collections.
Anna Kosturova, Vancouver Canada, was hit with the fashion lightning bolt when she was just 3 years old. Years of dress ups followed, an education in textile technology and taking home the prize at top at several fashion awards before Anna hit on her speciality – handmade swimwear. The hand-crocheted swimwear is designed by Anna herself and created by crochet artisans with many generations of experience. Anna feels that to her, creating swimwear is ‘full circle’: she has a love of the water and a fascination with sea life and the swimwear she creates is an extension of this. ‘Beauty is what I am addicted to’ Anna says, ‘Beauty is what I want to create.’
The current collection evokes the sun-soaked glamour of the beach lifestyle, interpreting a variety of themes including nautical, girly and drop-dead goddess. Anna caters for a wide variety of customers with her range, including the crochet swimwear signature collection, silk tie dye resort collection of cover ups and dresses, essentials – a collection of popular styles from previous seasons, and Anna Kosturova girl for the little lady aged 2 to 14.
With so many styles and designs to choose from, it is hard to go past your favourites so here is a selection of mine to inspire you. Anna is offering free shipping to Australia for December, a very special Christmas present just for the bronzed babes down under, so visit www.annakosturova.com to place your order and be ready for the Boxing Day beach cricket game (or just look fabulous while you sit under the umbrella with your fave fashion bible, watching the cricket match!)
Boatneck Dress with selfbelt and sequin parrot outline, $209
Starlet Maillot one piece sequined and crochet swimsuit, $216
