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  Vitamin A model Lucy Wolvert wears diamond crochet tunic beach cover up with a drop waist

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  Kyla Brenna

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  Beach Riot's top selling sunglasses

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  L*Space booth was very busy the opening morning of the show.

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  Monica Wise

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  Monica Wise of L*Space showing another style

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  Phyllis Posner

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  Raisins model Krystina Holbrook

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  Daniela Mendez

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  Giuseppe DeMasi for Hurley holds a new style - a black suit with neoprene fabric for Hurley.

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  Giuseppe DeMasi holds flutter top bikini suit that is popular for Reef.

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  Oakley's new marketing ad of Playa Stripe bikini in pink blast color

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  Model Andrea Stickel wears Nautical stripe bikini from L*Space

The Swim Collective Trade Show was held for two days at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa to promote brands’ spring and summer styles.

Debby Martin, L*Space Sales and Retail Marketing Manager, said most retail customers flew out for the show despite the cold temperatures blasting areas in the U.S.

“Accounts made it out here,” Debby said. “They’re not letting the weather get to them.”

Among the biggest trends: bathing suit tops that can also be worn off the beach layered under tops and street wear.

Here’s a look at some other highlights:

L*Space

The swimwear maker got smiles of approval from buyers for its new color combo, pistachio and ivory, which was used in L*Space’s crochet swimsuit, the “Wild Child.”

Monica Wise, L*Space Creative Director, also said cutout detailing, such as straps on the sides and back of suits, remain big too.

“We’re always injecting new products for repeat customers,” Monica said.

L*Space runs production all year round, and one big reason is social media, such as Instagram, where L*Space is very active. The new communication platforms help drive sales since people see a photo of an L*Space suit and then go to a store to buy it, Monica said.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A continues to expand its offering of rash guards, which are strong sellers.

Sales Rep Phyllis Posner said the pieces are more fashion forward and cross over to street wear since they can also be worn as crop tops with shorts or skirts.

“There’s more a trend of people wanting to wear things all day,” Phyllis said.

Vitamin A introduced several new pieces, such as a dress, that are lined so people can wear them casually around town.

Beach Riot

The brand just started shipping its new collection of sunglasses, and Sales Manager Kyla Brennan said it’s off to a good start. Stores carrying them include Urban Outfitters and Zappos.

“They complement the suits well,” Kyla said of the sunglasses that include pink details, such as frames and mirrored lenses.

Hot sellers: The Rochester pink aviator style sunglass which retails for $130 and The Superior sunglass, which has a pink frame and retails for $140.

See Page 2 for more on swim collections from Raisins, Reef, Hurley

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Raisins

Raisins kept its collection small, and Design Director Daniela Mendez said retailers responded well since they can mix and match the pieces to create different looks.

Details, such as printed lining and a crochet lace flutter bandeau top, keeps stores and customers interested, she said.

Reef and Hurley

Raj Manufacturing, which makes suits for Reef and Hurley under license, continues to see a strong response from repositioning and designing the Reef line.

Giuseppe De Masi, West Coast Account Manager, said Reef stepped away from its once-signature Brazilian cut look, with super revealing itsy bottoms.

“It’s so limiting,” he said.

Newer looks are feminine and fashionable with a little more coverage. Popular styles for Reef: flutter bandeau or corset style tops and tie side bikini bottoms.

Giuseppe also said Reef keeps very competitive price points with tops and bottoms retailing for $31 to $51 each.

Plus, he said there has been renewed interest from customers in US-made goods.

Raj makes much of  its swimwear in the United States at its Tustin headquarters and recently opened manufacturing operations in Santa Fe Springs, south of Los Angeles. The plant opened in November and employs about 100 people.

Highlight for Hurley: New styles of swimsuits that use neoprene wetsuit fabric. The brand also continues to see strong sales in its rash guards and cover ups, Giuseppe said.