Lila Rivera tells you like it is...Lila Nikole Swimwear style.

Lila Nikole Swimwear…revisited

I did this interview when summer had officially started and loved it so much that I wanted to revisit the post. Plus, swimsuit season isn’t officially over yet, Lila dropped a lot of gems about how to choose the right swimwear, best styles for your body type, etc. Enjoy Swimsuit season has officially begun; I thought it would be a great idea to get some expert advice on what else…SWIMWEAR!! I remember watching BET’s Rip the Runway 3 years ago and how my mouth dropped when I saw these sexy, innovative, alluring and exotic swimsuits walk the catwalk. I had to have one, or two. The lovely Lila Rivera was responsible for that swimsuit pandemonium and I’ve been a fan since that show. Since the airing of Rip the Runway, Lila Nikole Swimwear has been seen on Trina, Keyshia Cole, Kim Kardashian, Tila Tequila and various videos and magazines. Lila currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, FL (the home base of of the Lila Nikole Swimwear collection); I reached out to her and she enlightened me on a lot of swimsuit tips and now I’m sharing it with you!! Eclechick: What makes an excellent swimsuit? Lila: An excellent swimsuit is a suit that flatters your body and curves while making you feel beautiful and extra confident. Eclechick: Since a lot of ladies will begin the swimsuit shopping challenge now, should we stay away from certain materials? Lila: You know some suits hold up better than others. There are various materials to stay away from. Any lightweight, light color farbrics will become see thru, unless they are lined with a heavy duty lining fabric. Lightweight lycras can damage in chlorine and also lose it’s vibrancy and shape after a while. Certain metallics lose their brilliance as soon as salt water touches it. Eclechick: We both know women have different body types. Which swimsuit styles work best for each? Lila: It is imperative to choose a swimsuit that accentuates and/or flatters your body. Always ensure that it is the correct size, color and fabric. Women with short torsos need to be conscious of the one piece suits they choose to wear; you don’t want the center area of the suit to be baggy. If you’re trying to hide your tummy, a bust fabric on a one piece can help camouflage the tummy area. Women with smaller breasts can use a padded style bikini or one piece top to help accentuate their bust line. Eclechick: How can we tell when a suit is too large or too small? Lila: If you are wearing a suit and your skin is bulging over any area of the suit, your suit is too small. If you come out of the water and you have a “diaper bottom”, the bottom piece of the suit is too big!! Ladies think of your swimsuits as undergarments when you choose the silhouette of your suits. Eclechick: What’s in and what’s out for this year? Lila: Personally, I’m not a fan of the mix match bikini. The fabrics are so distinctively different, it looks like you may have lost the matching item. I will be happy to see that style retired. I love the one shoulder Grecian style swimsuits, I think they SCREAM elegance and fashion. Eclechick: Are there any colors and/or styles that are more popular than others? Lila: I think all colors are timeless in swimwear unlike traditional clothing. Neons always work on a beautiful tan, where in fashion they don’t always work. Graphic prints are also a timeless print for swimwear. I think the cut out swimsuits are popular right now and will continue to become more popular as each designer adds their own twist to the silhouette. Eclechick: What are the best care instructions for swimsuits. Lila: Here are the instructions we give to all of our customers: CARE INSTRUCTIONS Our swimwear is hand made to the highest standards of quality and if cared for properly, will extend quality and us. These products are similar to fine garments and therefore, require care to preserve their exquisite appearance. Please follow these swimwear care instructions. WASHING INSTRUCTIONS Swimwear must be hand washed in cold water with a mild soap. Squeeze and rinse thoroughly. Drip dry our of direct sunlight, never put in dryer. Avoid rough surfaces as it can snag your swimsuit. Spas and heated pool chemicals can bleach the color of fabric. Eclechick: Out of all of your designs; which one is your favorite one and why? Lila: I’m a big fan of the Diva. It is so elegant, sexy and it has a luxurious feel to it. I’ve got it in quite a few colors. Diva Check out some of my favorites from the Lila Nikole collection. (Cherry, Grecian Goddess, Razz and Vixen.) Cherry Grecian Goddess Razz Vixen “The perfect Lila Nikole woman is fashion forward, classy, seductive, playful, ambitious and outgoing.” Ladies get your swimwear collection in order by adding some Lila Nikole pieces to your arsenal. xo Sereeda