Nanette Lepore’s retro inspired swimwear

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While much of the fashion community was putting on their most eye-catching designer dresses for Monday night’s Met Ball, Nanette Lepore had models stripping down to teeny bikinis and sexy one-piece swimsuits from her new swimwear line, which she presented poolside at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills Monday.

The scorching afternoon was a perfect setting for the designer’s candy-colored bikinis and heavily printed suits. Much like her ready-to-wear line, the swim collection is a nod to retro motifs and is full of feminine details such as floral prints, polka dots and dainty tie closures.

“With this swimwear collection, I’ve been able to go back into my old archives and revive some of the bold and bright patterns that were shelved,” said Lepore, who has been on a bit of a whirlwind tour. She flew into L.A. after attending the White House Correspondents dinner for which she dressed Arianna Huffington in a textured gold dress that the Huffington Post founder plucked right off the runway. “There’s a real feminine moment happening in fashion right now, and it’s great to be able to capture that.”

The suits are certainly for the girly girl. Lepore’s included everything from a vibrant pink-and-purple, rose print two-piece (with high-waist bottoms reminiscent of a voluptuous pinup), a flame colored bikini with boy short-esque bottom and even a “dashiki” print suit that’s got a summery yellow and green pattern emblazoned all over its small surface.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Top photo: Provence Rose Coquette swimsuit top ($81.00) and Provence Rose Sweetheart bottom ($75.00). Credit: Nanette Lepore

Bottom left: Dashiki Vixen top ($77.00) and Dashiki Vamp bottom ($69). Credit: Nanette Lepore

Bottom right: Vargas Coquette top ($75.00) and Flirt bottom ($69.00). Credit: Nanette Lepore