Versace Men's Fashion Show Swimwear

I am a huge fan of Versace.  One of my most favorite things is the Versace mens fashion show swimwear.  These are the pieces of swimwear that are shown during the Spring/Summer Versace fashion shows every year (Versace makes additional pieces that are not part of the fashion shows such as their monogram collection).  The fashion show swimwear always goes along with the rest of the collection so every year it is very different than the last - in terms of pattern, cut, style, etc.   It is my Spring tradition to buy a new Versace swimsuit and I wanted to share my collection so far...

 S/S 2004:  Moroccan Inspired Collection

This was the only swimsuit for the S/S 2004 Versace collection.

This was the first Versace swimsuit I bought when I was 18 years old from the now closed Chevy Chase, Maryland Versace boutique.  It is still my most favorite piece of clothing mostly due to sentimental value and the amount of time I wore them.  This same exact pair was used in a photo shoot for a magazine.

 S/S 2005:  Chaos Couture Collection

 This was 1 of 4 swimsuits in the S/S 2005 Versace collection.

This was a very difficult swimsuit to acquire.  It took months to locate it and I finally received it for Christmas 2005.  The second bikini in this collection was seen at the Houston, TX boutique the next year and they were still full price.

 S/S 2006:  Miami Beach Inspired Collection

This was 1 of 7 swimsuits in the S/S 2006 Versace collection.

I really like this swimsuit because of the cut and the metal piece on the side - it shows some skin and gives you a interesting tan line.

S/S 2007:  Dan Flavin Inspired Collection

1 of 2 swimsuits in the S/S 2007 Versace collection. 

Unfortunately I could not find either one.  I was told that Versace didn't make them or that the US buyer didn't buy them for the US Versace boutiques.  I was also in Hong Kong that year and none of the 3 Hong Kong Versace boutiques had them either.  :(

S/S 2008 and S/S 2009:  No Swimwear for both seasons!!!!!  These two seasons were both under the creative direction of ex-Cloak designer Alexandre Plokhov.  

 S/S 2010:  Middle Eastern / North African Inspired Collection

1 of 4 swimsuits in the S/S 2010 Versace collection.

Sand-wave pattern square cut swimsuit.  

Very comfortable and a nice change from the swim briefs and swim shorts.

S/S 2011:  80's Inspired Collection

1 of the 8 swimsuits in the S/S 2011 Versace collection.

Unfortunately the mens buyer for the US Versace boutiques did not buy any swimwear this season! 

I felt really lucky that I found this swimsuit at the Versace boutique on Paradise Island, Bahamas.

S/S 2012:  Classic Versace Gladiator 

1 of 4 swimsuits in the 2012 Versace collection.

I wonder what pieces they will make and buy for the US for 2012?

Fashion is beautiful, wonderful, and mysterious.  Like many things in life, if it isn't understood it is hard to appreciate.  I have been asked hundreds of times "why do you like Versace?  and "why do you need Versace swimwear?"  and the truth is because it symbolizes my life in a way that I cannot completely describe.  It is partly because of my love for the ocean and growing up close to the beach my entire life - swimwear is part of the daily wardrobe.  I chose Versace because I find it unique, rare, and beautiful - which I hope is symbolic of myself.  Having an interest in something and having a collection makes life simply more enjoyable.