THANK YOU KERRY PIERI OF HARPER’S BAZAAR FOR SELECTING MIKOH AS ONE OF YOUR VIRTUAL VACATION DREAMY SWIM VIDEOS.
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HARPER BAZAAR’S DREAMY SWIM VIDEOS X VIRTUAL VACATION
THE BAHIA COVER UP
THE BACKGROUND OF BAHIA
Bahia (local pronunciation: [baˈi.ɐ])[2] is one of the 26 states of Brazil, and is located in the eastern part of the country on the Atlantic coast. It is the fourth most populous Brazilian state after São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, and the fifth-largest in size. Bahia’s capital is the city of Salvador, located at the junction of the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of All Saints, officially first seen by European sailors in 1501. The name “bahia” is an archaic spelling of the Portuguese word baía, meaning “bay”.
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THE BAHIA MESH TOP GOING DOWN THE RUNWAY IN MIAMI AT MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK MIAMI, AS WORN BY ASHLEY SKY
BECAUSE I’M ADDICTED X MIKOH
If you’re looking for a super sexy, fashion-forward swimsuit to take on your spring break then MIKOH is it!
The line was created by sisters Oleema and Kalani Miller who were born and bred in the small beach town of San Clemente in Orange County, California with the ocean in their backyard. The duo lived the quintessential Southern California lifestyle and hit the beach every single day in a bikini, of course!
After Oleema wrapped her pro-surfing career and Kalani finished studying business at the University of California Santa Barbara the two created the MIKOH brand. Its name derives from the girls’ last name, Miller, as well as the first initial of Kalani and Oleema and their younger sister’s name, Hana. In Japanese, miko is a term that once meant “female shaman” or “female prophecy.”
The line fuses statement prints and colors from around the world with luxurious fabrics and modern fits. Each bikini is seamless and hardware-free, designed to easily mix and match for one-of-a-kind styles.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE AND SEE MORE PHOTOGRAPHS HERE
REFINERY 29’S 20 SWIMSUITS WORTH WEIRD TAN LINES
IT ISN’T ALWAYS ABOUT TANLINES. SOMETIMES WE LIKE TO MAKE A STATEMENT WHEN HITTING THE BEACH OR HEADING FOR THE POOL. THANK YOU REFINERY 29 FOR INCLUDING OUR KAHALA TOP AND MIYAKO BOTTOM IN WHITEWATER PLUMERIA IN YOUR ROUNDUP OF SWIMWEAR.
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“Our affection for swimwear extends to all colors, shapes, and styles. And, yes, that includes bikinis and one-pieces that give us wacky tan lines, too. Here’s why: They’re so unique, with their many straps and quirky cutouts, that —if the style suits us — we’re not bothered by a triangular-shaped patch of tanned skin on our midsection. (Or, three patches if we’re wearing the knotted-front maillot pictured here.)
Beyond religiously applying SPF and seeking shade under beach umbrellas, there’s not much more we can do about preventing tan lines. So, we embrace them and whatever shapes or patterns they create — the weirder, the better. If you’re feeling equally adventurous with your beach wardrobe, click ahead to shop the styles we’re coveting. ”
STYLE CASTER X MIKOH | HOW TO (REALLY) BUY SWIMWEAR ONLINE
We don’t want to alarm you, but swimsuit season is almost here. And while we’re all for the arrival of summer, there’s one thing we’re not so keen on: Swimwear shopping. There are few things more traumatic that trying to decide on a bathing suit while crammed into a tiny dressing room with unflattering florescent lights, pasty winter skin, and and a line of shoppers impatiently waiting behind you. That’s why this year, we’ll be buying our bikinis online.
Unlike buying say, a new cocktail dress online, swimwear comes with its own unique set of challenges. To help tackle them, we spoke with MIKOH swimwear designers and sisters, Kalani and Oleema Miller to grab their top tips for buying a bathing suit online this season. Here’s what they had to say.
1. Use Instagram to your advantage.
Instagram is an endless source of style inspiration, and a great place to go if you want to see how different people are styling a trend. Oleema recommends using social networking apps to see what a certain style looks like on different bodies: “Cross reference with other sites and platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to see how different styles look on different girls. We like to check online to see how different prints, styles and colors look on different bodies and skin tones. It’s also a great way to see how different people are styling the piece.”
If you’re planning on using Instagram to see how a specific swimwear style looks on real women, we suggest visiting the label’s Instagram page, then seeing which photos the brand has been tagged in. That way, you’ll get a good mix of real women sharing their thoughts on the design, rather than just the photos that the brand chooses to regram.
2. Buy separates.
Most women aren’t perfectly proportioned, which can mean you might be a size 12 bikini top, but a size 10 bottom. Kalani and Oleema recommend buying bikinis that are sold in separates to tailor the size for your body: “For us at MIKOH, we sell everything as separates, encouraging our consumer to mix and match suits and make it their own. It’s an easy way to set yourself apart.”
3. Look for online promotions.
“Often sites will offer free shipping or a percentage off,” the sisters explained. “A key time to look is during holidays throughout the year like spring break or Black Friday.”
Simply Google searching the brand name or retailer and words like “discount code” or “offer” could bring up available offers that aren’t being publicized on the shopping site’s homepage. For example, try searching “Shopbop discount code.”
4. Study sizing charts.
The designers recommend that shoppers, “Always check the sizing chart to cross reference what size you are as every brand has a different size run.”
Look for a sizing chart to make sure you’re dealing with U.S. standard sizing, as many international boutiques will list in UK or European sizes. Also, double check the actual measurements if they are available. If you’re unsure, contact customer care and request measurements to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting. No body likes an ill-fitting swimsuit.
5. Check the return policy.
This one’s critical when buying swimwear online. “Not every store offers returns or exchanges, so be sure prior to purchase that you’re 100% set on what you are choosing so as not not to have to deal with issues later,” Kalani and Oleema explained.
Be sure to check the fine print: Many online stores won’t accept returns on swimwear, while others require that the hygiene strip is left in tact and all tags attached to be valid for an exchange or refund.
READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE
SHOP THE MIKOH ONLINE STORE HERE
VISIT NEWPORT BEACH | A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE MIKOH FOUNDERS
THANK YOU VISIT NEWPORT BEACH FOR THE INTERVIEW WITH OUR OWN OLEEMA AND KALANI. AS HOME OF THE MIKOH HEADQUARTERS, WE ARE THRILLED TO SHARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITE HOT SPOTS IN ORANGE COUNTY AS PART OF A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE MIKOH FOUNDERS.
Inspired by Parisian style as well as the surf, MIKOH founders Kalani and Oleema Miller have stitched the two together with a sophisticated swimwear line that’s designed for ladies who love to play in the waves. Featuring island prints and coastal color palettes, all the sisters’ suits are seamless and hardware free — perfect for the no-fuss beach-going gal. Here, the part-time Newport Beach residents reveal their secrets for finding the ideal fit, what’s in their beach bag, and what they love most about their home base.
What’s the best type of swimsuit for an active water woman who also wants to look stylish?
Kalani: Sportier gals need secure silhouettes, like a sports bra-style top. Ours come with fun detailing like crochet, string, and our signature banding, so they also look stylish.
Oleema: She needs something that is easy to throw on and take off — but also that’s going to stay on! My favorite tops and bottoms to wear when surfing are ones that just slip on. Anything with a tie is too high-risk! All of our bottoms are tried and tested.
How can I determine which cuts best suit my figure?
Kalani: First, determine your body type and ask yourself: ‘In what features do I feel most confident and want to show off, and what am I looking to cover up?’ In general, smaller upper bodies look best in triangle-cut tops with prints, while a curvier bottom or shorter legs look better with tie-side bottoms that elongate the leg.
Oleema: It’s important to make sure you have the right amount of coverage and support. Less fabric is more, but it’s got to be in the right places and the correct ratio to what you have going on.
What is the swimwear faux pas you see most often?
Kalani: The worst mistake that I see women make is wearing a bikini that doesn’t fit right or is the wrong cut for their body. A suit should enhance your curves and best attributes.
Oleema: Being overly covered and not wearing a swimsuit confidently. Wearing a swimsuit isn’t much different from wearing lingerie — if you’re going to wear it, own it and rock it.
The five must-haves in your beach tote?
Kalani:
• An extra MIKOH bikini — right now I am loving the Tuamotu top and Cayman bottom.
• My Kindle. It’s the best way to have many books at your fingertips and it’s perfect for reading in the direct sunlight.
• Shade sunscreen. It has a nude tint and no harmful chemicals.
• Leica point-and-shoot camera. I love capturing all of the beautiful things we see while on our travels.
• Healthy snacks. I never know how long I will stay down at the beach, so having snacks and water is essential.
Oleema: We just came out with a new MIKOH beach tote, so that’s my bag of choice. Inside, I keep …
• An extra wide-brim Panama hat
• Really good polarized sunglasses
• A beach sarong that doubles as a blanket … and a dress.
• H20
• Shade sunscreen, SPF 45.
Best local beach?
Kalani: I love watching [bodysurfers] at The Wedge when there is a massive swell hitting the California coast. There are few places in the world that you can be so close to the action and literally feel the energy of the ocean.
Oleema: I always go to Little Corona. The ocean has this beautiful blue [hue] and the coastline is really pretty at certain times of the year. It’s such a nice place to escape and get some solitude in the city.
How do you stay in bikini-ready shape?
Kalani: I spend the majority of the year on the road, living out of a suitcase. For me it’s important to always stay on some sort of schedule. When I am in Newport Beach, I love to work out with a personal trainer — I take notes on the workouts so I can hit the gym on my own abroad! I try to go to the gym every other day; I’ll do a 10-minute warm up followed by 45 minutes of cardio, and then I’ll stretch. I am also obsessed with Pilates; it is the best way to quickly get your body in beach-shape. But, the most important thing of all is to eat healthy. I find it’s easy to make healthy choices once I’ve mentally committed to it.
Oleema: I surf a couple of times a week and do Pilates as often as I can (on the reformer), but for the most part, it’s just my lifestyle — I’m always out and about, walking and biking around between activities. If the weather is bad, I’ll still try to get outdoors for at least a walk.
Beaching it aside, what are some other activities you enjoy in Newport Beach when you are here?
Kalani: I love to stroll around Fashion Island with my pup, Action. She is a mini pinscher-Chihuahua mix and is best friends with Oleema’s dog, Panda.
Oleema: I love myself a good glass of rosé at The Wine Gallery in CdM. I also really enjoy the farmers market on Saturdays and going for coffee with friends at Zinc Café and Market and strolling at Fashion Island with Kalani, Action, and Panda.
Best local bites?
Kalani: A Restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway is my favorite; the dark and moody vibe instantly transports me back in time, and the steak and desserts are hard to beat.
Oleema: SOTA sushi is to die for. And I go to Gulfstream a lot; I always order whatever the fresh fish of the day is.
Back to fashion: What’s the best piece of advice anyone has given you?
Kalani: Get a good tailor. Being only 5’1”, finding a good tailor to custom fit the pieces I love always makes me feel confident.
Oleema: Back to what I said earlier about confidence — this applies to everything. You can be inappropriately dressed but if you’re embracing it, you can still look amazing because that inner beauty shines through.
Your personal style icon?
Kalani: Kate Bosworth. She mixes classic pieces with something fresh and always looks put-together.
Oleema: Caroline de Maigret, author of “How to be Parisian.” She is the epitome of sexy-cool and is the sophisticated French version of the MIKOH woman.
What do you think is your sister’s best style attribute?
Kalani: Oleema always looks put-together; she’s always on trend without being trendy.
Oleema: Kalani has mastered the art of the laid-back look. As well as the art of a perfectly packed suitcase — after years of traveling and promising ourselves we’ll “pack lighter next time, pack lighter next time,” she’s somewhat got it down!
MIKOH can be found locally at Diane’s Beachwear and Molly Brown’s.Or online at Mikoh.com
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE AND A BIG THANK YOU TO ASHLEY BREEDING
PASTE MAGAZINE FEATURING THE MOOREA ONE PIECE
WITH SUMMER RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, WE HAVE BIKINIS ON THE BRAIN (WHEN DO WE NOT?!). THANK YOU PASTE MAGAZINE FOR FEATURING THE MOOREA ONE PIECE IN NIGHT.
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GREY MAGAZINE FEATURES OLEEMA AND KALANI ON THEIR CRUEL DESIRES
GREY MAGAZINE IS OUR LATEST OBSESSION. THIS MAGAZINE COVERS ALL THINGS FASHION, WORDS, BEAUTY, ART, TRAVEL, AND INTERIOR, AND TO SAY WE ARE FANS IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. THE MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BIANNUALLY AND HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PAGES AROUND.
THANK YOU AIMEE BRODEUR FOR INCLUDING US IN THIS ARTICLE AND THANK YOU FRANCESCO LO LACONO FOR THE ILLUSTRATIONS OF OLEEMA AND KALANI.
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In a passionate letter to Anais Nin, Henry Miller wrote of desire as “A voluptuous servility and tyrannical necessity. More cruel now than before—consciously, wilfully cruel. The insatiable delight of experience.”
This editor’s chose revolves around four talented women who design objects of desire coveted by thousands. Grey turns the table and asks them to confess their cruel desires.
FESTIVAL SEASON SALE
FESTIVAL SEASON SALE
Get COACHELLA ready with your favorite MIKOH piece now until Friday, April 15, 2015. Use code FESTIVAL15 for 15% off of your entire order at SHOP.MIKOH.COM
Happy shopping and see you at Coachella
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**All sales final, no returns