Ethnic patterns were an influential part of the Billabong Swimsuit Fashion Show.

Photos by Tom Wallace

Billabong%uFFFDs Design for Humanity event June 10 at the Paramount backlot studios featured music, art, a humanitarian cause, and an exceptional swimsuit runway show. In this story, we take a look at some of the main themes showcased from Billabong%uFFFDs design studios for this year%uFFFDs most fashionable swimsuits and surf cover-ups. As Allison Perez from Billabong Girls described the show, it “paid homage to our roots, with very unexpected modern elements thrown into the mix.”

Some of these elements included very geometric angles, ethnic patterns, the return of %uFFFD80%uFFFDs inspired neon colors, lace, and layers. Some of the best surprise elements were the use of neoprene and rash guard looks and materials, transforming usually ugly wetsuits into a stylish swimsuit for women surfers.


Geometric pieces and twists, plus the black bottoms with bright colors on top make this an interesting bikini-one piece. There were several suits like this in this particular series.


Neon pink and jet black were main themes, along with half-shirt hoodies in lace.


Ethnic prints in bikinis couple with heavy bracelet accessories.


This sherbert one-piece was one of the favorites of the show.


High-waisted lace bottoms and half-shirts brought back an %uFFFD80%uFFFDs element but with a modern twist.


Hawaiian prints but with the added belly lace in yellow made this suit rather unique. It would obviously create an interesting tan pattern.


Cross between a bikini and a one-piece, this swimsuit is like a piece of art showcasing key elements of the body. The lemon yellow obviously accents the skin.


Added twists and layers were key style elements in the show, coupled with neon colors.


We love the wetsuit silhouettes in the boy-brief bottoms and tubetop.


Here%uFFFDs another swimsuit ensemble within this series using wetsuit layers and styles.


Halter bikinis with flower patterns in neon colors are quintessential surfwear.


Geometric, but the cover-up top makes the suit pop.


There%uFFFDs an %uFFFD80%uFFFDs motif here, twisted bikini top, metallic with neon pink.


Very modern.


A show favorite with string bikini sides and bright colors.


Looks BodyGlove-like, but also modern wetsuit. Future of styles for women who surf.


Full neon pink lace cover-all with hoodie. There was an entire series of lace used in this way. Sexy and lingerie-like but obviously now used heavily in swimwear.


Here%uFFFDs another example of the lace cover-all look.


Sherbert geometric one-piece swimsuits were popular.


Wetsuit-like top with bikini bottom layer adds a whole new appeal to this swimsuit.


One of the most popular swimsuits of the show, with it’s mix of prints and geometric patterns, plus the layered bottom, making it a unique one-piece and surf- and swim-friendly.