By Hannah Moss | June 6, 2012

SalesGossip Talk Bikinis with Biondi

It’s the time of year when you can’t flick through a glossy magazine without seeing pages and pages of crash diets and workout regimes – fuelled by the panic to get body beautiful and beach ready in time for the holiday season. But Claudine Davies, owner and founder of Biondi Couture, believes that looking good on the beach is all about finding the right bikini that is the perfect fit…

Top London beachwear boutique Biondi is where you’ll find all your holiday essentials and if you’re a fan of Made in Chelsea, you’ll have seen Millie, Caggie, Binky and Cheska shopping at the King’s Road store on screen. Buying a bikini is not always an easy task, so we’ve asked Claudine to share her top tips.

So Claudine, for anyone who hasn’t called in to Biondi before, tell us a bit about the philosophy behind the store…

Biondi stocks the widest selection of designer swimwear, beachwear and accessories in the UK, providing everything for the perfect holiday wardrobe. I am committed to ensuring my clients look and feel great in their swimwear, and travel around the world to find new and exciting products. I always say wearing a swimsuit is the most naked a woman ever is in public, so it makes sense to invest in looking good. It is Biondi’s aim to source styles that compliment and inspire confidence as well as look fantastic.

What are your top 5 tips for swimwear shopping?

Choose a shop like Biondi with knowledgeable and helpful staff. Don’t be scared to ask for advice and try on as many shapes as possible.
Always select fit over fashion. You will not look good if the suit does not fit properly.
Don’t be afraid to invest in a well-made bikini as they will often fit you better.
Resist covering up your worst bits in fabric – this will accentuate them and make them look bigger.
For those who really struggle with their shape, choose a shop that sells separates or choose a bespoke bikini as this is made to measure to fit your body exactly.

So we’ve found a bikini that fits well, but how else can we boost our beach confidence?

Most importantly make sure you’ve found a swimsuit or bikini that you feel happy in and then get a fake tan, wax or shave and make sure you have a nice manicure and pedicure. If you feel confident you will look great!

What are the bestsellers for Summer 2012 at Biondi?

We’ve got a gorgeous range of Vix kaftans and Karla Colletto designs amazing swimsuits that flatter and disguise – they are amazing! Millie Mackintosh from Made In Chelsea wore hers on her recent trip to Dubai.

Who could forget that swimsuit – she certainly made a splash posting her holiday snaps on Twitter!

We’ve also spotted lots of celebrities wearing Vix bikinis…

Yes, Vix is another top brand sold at Biondi and the Bia tube bikini is a must-have. This classic Vix bikini is cut to perfection – making it popular with lots of celebrities. Kelly Brook, Geri Halliwell, Denise Richards, Kim Kardashian and Abbey Clancy have all been seen wearing it!

What is your must-have holiday item?

No holiday wardrobe would be complete without a Beshlie scarf. These colourful dupattas are updated with stuning prints – birds is the Beshlie signature motif. Worn as a scarf or a sarong – it is useful and beautiful!