013 From the pool to the velvet rope...

I am constantly asked to design something to wear over a swimsuit. Usually I come up with some type of robe: an easy-tie-in-front-easy-to-put-on-easy-to-take-off type of covering. Sometimes I'll make a variant of a wrap-dress. Once I made a towel/halter terry-robe combo. It really is depends on the client.
Recently I had a client (I love LA!) who insisted I design something so she could wear straight from the pool to a night out. This sounds strange, but makes sense in LA. You are at a hotel, by the pool, you run into an old friend/new acquaintance who is casting a new Nancy Drew-esque mini-series, which takes place in LA and stars five women in their early 20s who are smart, sexy, single and excellent crime-fighters... You hit it off and get invited to a party at some other place than the pool by which you are currently lounging. The party invitation is fleeting; there is no time to go home and change. Your career moves at the speed of your wardrobe, so you need some sort of over-dress you can just throw on and go...

Evidently, this type of fashion situation happens every day in LA. After it was explained to me, it all made sense. I immediately thought octopus! Under the octopus dress she has on a strapless bikini top and a low-profile (nothing that would stick out or cause bumps) bikini bottom. The shoes were her choice (yes - I would have done something slightly different... more gold, less tan, but her choice also works...)

You can't see it, but I also designed a mini-clutch with the same fabric, gold octopus clasp, and bright pink/fuchsia silk interior. It's in her left hand, hidden behind her body.