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   Mr Shafir took over the design duties at Gottex two seasons ago, and he has really grown into the job. For all the awards the company has received in the past, it’s a sad reality of our times that, to most people, only the present carries any weigh when one is being judged by their peers. As such, Mr Shafir, along with his team, has managed to keep the company on top by working to keep it relevant as the gold standard of the swimwear industry. The designs as seen here are fresh; and when you add into the mix all the lovely accessories—particularly the great beach bags carried by the models—what you end up with is a clear indication that the company’s future (under Mr Shafir’s leadership) is as bright as its past.
   BodyGear Activewear, a design firm based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has its New York Fashion Week début at the most recent shows at Bryant Park. And while it was not a home run hit out of the park, it was a solid effort put forth by Christiun Urquijo, designer and president of BDG BodyGear Activewear.
   Mr Urquijo’s collection for spring 2004 covers the broad range from swimwear to couture-style underwear to clubwear and casual dress pieces that could serve as both beach cover-up and resort wear. My favourite designs here included his knitted body-hugging pieces for women, the simple yet sexy bikini sets in vibrant sun swept colours, and his sexy cocktail dresses.
   A well known figure on the South Beach–Miami scene, Mr Urquijo has attracted legions of fans and clients over the years with his activewear designs and an emerging couture dress collection that has created even more positive buzz around him. His work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Ocean Drive, W; and his reputation for charity work and giving back to the community—he has also philanthropically utilized his talents in the fight against Aids, cystic fibrosis, and children’s communication and learning disorders through the Unicorn Foundation**—has made him a favourite son of the Ft Lauderdale business community and the area’s high-society mavens.
   With this move to showing in New York City, he has decided to join the big leagues. While he does have a free-standing boutique (at 1239 East Los Olas Blvd) in the Ft Lauderdale area, he is, like every other designer on the planet, looking to expand his horizons and business opportunities. And this collection is a good start. •

Phillip D. Johnson is features’ editor of Lucire.

* These names refer to the characters of Brazilian popular cultural stories that inspired this collection. Saci is a one-legged black boy who smokes a pipe and wears a red beret (that gives him magical powers, one being the ability to appear or disappear at will). Curupira is a small, red-haired, green-toothed fantasy being who, as the king of all animals, protects the land from those who destroy nature or kill an animal out of pleasure. Iara, the queen of the waters, is an Indian girl of rare beauty who lures men to a watery death with magical songs. Boto is supposed to be a porpoise that occasionally turns himself into a man to seduce and make love to women who happen to be crossing his path.

** The information quoted here was taken from a press release announcing Mr Urquijo’s work in the couture arena. For more information on the company, contact Mr Urquijo or other company officers at 1 954 525-2525, fax 1 954 525-7025 or at info@bodygear.com.

BodyGear’s Christiun Urquijo has philanthropically utilized his talents in the fight against Aids, cystic fibrosis, and children’s communication and learning disorders through the Unicorn Foundation