Global Warming Just Got Hotter

Tu Tram Pham

Temperatures rose for one midwinter night at Montreal’s ultra posh Time Supper Club. It was the launch of Reyhan Sofraci’s new swimwear line, Qiss Qiss, and the crowd got a first look at just how much they should look forward to a hot summer.

“It’s so hot down here,” Sofraci said.

The same could be said about the show that went on a few minutes earlier. Unfortunately she wasn’t there to watch because she was too busy downstairs helping the models change suits.

With her successful swimwear designs, Reyhan Sofraci has won a Fashion Designer of the Year award and showcased in Toronto’s L’Oreal Fashion Week this year — not bad for someone with a degree in psychology.

“When I was growing up, I used to modify my own bathing suits, and then I started making my own,” Sofraci said. With the encouragement of her friends and family, she moved to Montreal in 2001 and discovered her love for fashion design. In 2005, she launched Aqua di Lara, a high-end swimwear line consisting of intricately cut bikinis and monokinis (one-piece suits that look like bikinis from the back) in more subdued colors of copper, red, and white.

For Qiss Qiss Spring/Summer 2008, the colors are much more vibrant and flirty in splashes of bright green and pink, zebra prints, and classic black and whites. It’s a collection geared toward a much younger demographic from 14 to 25 year olds, while Aqua di Lara is catered to an older clientele of women between 25 to 35 yrs old, and even up to 40 yrs old.

But what does high quality swimwear entail? “You can’t swim with a lot of ‘high end swimwear’ because it’s not actual swimwear; it’s more fashionable than practical,” Sofraci explained. Which is why Aqua di Lara and Qiss Qiss are different, you can swim in these suits. She also pointed out the importance of good lining for durability, which many bikinis and one-piece suits often don’t include. Her suits are all made of imported high quality fabrics from Europe. Even her sexy crisscrossing covers can be worn in the water and are quick to dry.

Though Aqua di Lara is a relatively successful, young company, acquiring the suits is a little complex. The brand isn’t available through Montreal retailers; however, it is available in Vancouver and Toronto. Aqua di Lara ($200 and up) and Qiss Qiss ($120 to $180) are available for purchase through Aqua di Lara’s official website ( www.aqualara.com ) and by contacting their main office at 514.844.9396.

And what became of the sexy men’s line during the Qiss Qiss show?

”We just did that for the ladies.”