Fashion Week Panama - A look at Bikini Beach First Australian design label to Present in Panama Fashion Week

Miss Oriell in Hayman Island & Ashley in Hamilton Island by Roberto Ordóñez

Bikini Beach Australia was a part of the PANAMA FASHION WEEK 2021. The latest items from the brand were presented in the opening runway for the show, which was hosted in the Santa Ana district, in Panama City, Panama. This show is the most important fashion show in all of Central America, highlighting talent from different countries and Panama’s very own designers. Not only designers, but the whole fashion industry comes together in this event, showcasing fashion films from prominent fashion media creators, making it a celebration for all things fashion in this region. 

PANAMA FASHION WEEK was born thanks to an alliance involving “Physical Modelos” (Physical Models), and Mercedes-Benz. Born between 2014-2016, the project started by being named “Mercedes-Benz Panama Fashion Week” and renamed to just Panama Fashion Week after said partnership ended. Since then, it has been usually hosted in the culture packed nightlife center of the city known as “Casco Antiguo” (Old Town Panama City). Panama Fashion Week contributes culturally in the country, by providing insight into the fashion world to young and upcoming enthusiasts. A percentage of the earnings are always destined to charity projects that takes fashion to people without the opportunity to acquire the knowledge otherwise. These programs also involve scholarships, partially funded by PFW, for aspiring fashion design students. An example of the charity work performed by PFW would be the donation that was made from Naeem Khan, who closed the event with a runway that destined earnings to United Way. 

 Sheribel in the New Pinky Beach by Roberto Ordóñez

The event was not only limited to the designers presenting in the runways. Other upcoming designers are invited to participate in the Panama Fashion Week shop, listed and currently live on their website, that allows them to showcase their products in a web store. 

Wuanadys in New Trinity Beach Reversible Bikini by Roberto Ordóñez

PFW 2021 took place during September 21^st to September 27^th, having over 40 designers participating in the different activities, that ranged from shows, runway shows, fashion films, performances and others. Bikini Beach had the amazing opportunity to dazzle the show-goers with their more “risqué” approach to swimwear, specially compared to other local brands. BBA was one of two swimwear brands to present in a runway during the event and the opening show for all of Fashion Week. Other designers presented during the PFW 2021 were Yendor World (Barbados), Burning Corporation (Venezuela), Pilar Sainz (Spain), José Han (Dominican Republic) MCMA London, and local brands such as Esse Canvas, Nicolás Real, Diana Arcila, San Malo, XOXO ROZE, Originaria, Curu Panamá, Greta Bravo, and many others.

Bikini Beach Australia not only shocked the PFW with their pieces, but also introduced the new men’s swimwear line, making themselves more available as a swimwear brand not exclusive to women’s pieces. With their presentation, BBA also introduced a new idea to the local designers, with their “spicier” pieces, it certainly opens up the PFW to new ideas and opportunities to creators that think outside the box. 

Designer Alex Abraham by Roberto Ordóñez

BBA’s current collections, the new men’s line, and all showcased pieces were designed by owner Alex Abraham, and was inspired for the conception of this collection over the course of her travels to countries such as Italy, Miami, Panama and Australia. Alex, alongside her extensive travel record, takes inspiration from all of these experiences and continues to innovate every new piece with the essence of everywhere she’s visited.

 Designer Alex Abraham with Hanna in Byron Bay & Ernesto in BBA Man Byron Bay by Misstery Photography

This influence can be seen in some of the pieces presented in the runways, such as the opening Hayman Island One Piece in Animale Glitterati,

Miss Oriell in Hayman Island

the closing Hamilton Island Bikini in Ibiza Marble

Karol in Hamilton Island , Vanessa in Ibiza Marble Dress & Wallace in BBA Man Ibiza Marble 

and some other pieces such as the Bondi Beach Bikini in Wolf Print. 

Genesis in Bondi Beach | Miss Oriell in Hayman Island by Gustavo

Bikini Beach Australia’s new men’s collection will officially release in early 2022, and can be found in their web store, alongside all of the swimwear options featured during the Panama Fashion Week 2021. 

Litzy in Daydream Island & Miguel in BBA man by Roberto Ordóñez