Swimwear Fashion: Making Waves

Stay cool in Florida’s summer sun with colorful swimwear and poolside attire guaranteed to turn heads.

FASHIONS BY KALAXPRESS

Above: Model: Kika Frangarcia (Miss Congeniality twice) Photographer: Julie Scarpellino Nichols (Photos by Jules) Location: Bahamas Event: Ms. International World Bahamas Cruise Fashion Show

Above: Bald Eagle inspiration swimsuit from the Survivor Collection Photographer: Julie Scarpellino Nichols (Photos by Jules). Model: Gabrielle Timothy. Location: Ocala National Forest.

Above: Tiger inspiration swimsuit from the Survivor Collection Photographer: Joe Vadder (@vadderphotography.) Fashion Model: Julie Marie. Location: Epperson Lagoon - Wesley Chapel

Above: I’iwi (Hawaiian Scarlet honeycreeper) inspiration swimsuit from the Survivor Collection Photographer: Joe Vadder (@vadderphotography). Model: Julie Marie. Location: Epperson Lagoon - Wesley Chapel

Above: Ocean Drop inspiration print resort maxi dress from the Sun-kissed Collection Photographer: Taya Fagan (Taya Fagan Photography). Model: Hannah Mussette. Location: Casa Bella Estate – Diane and Lawrence Dyer

Above: Underwater inspiration print resort wrap dress from Sun-kissed Collection Photographer: Taya Fagan (Taya Fagan Photography). Model: Jacqueline Danielle. Location: Casa Bella Estate – Diane and Lawrence Dyer

Sumita Bhojwani

Fashion Designer

Tampa Bay fashion designer Sumita Bhojwani has hit her stride. Her feminine, flirty and unique fashions have been showcased on runways across Florida — Tampa, St. Pete, Orlando, Sarasota and Miami — on Caribbean cruises, and across the globe in prestigious fashion shows, trade shows and magazines.

Bhojwani’s label, KalaXpress, seems a perfect match for Florida’s sultry summers, focusing on lightweight fabrics in jewel tones of blues and greens, reds, yellows and oranges, that fl ow lightly on a breeze. Her trademark style melds infl uences from the East and the West with exotic fl orals, animal prints and wraparound styles.

Bhojwani grew up in New Delhi where she graduated with a degree in fashion design. She moved to the states in the 1990s, working in technology until she jumped back into fashion after moving to Florida in 2011. “The passion was still there,” she said. “I started doing runway shows and decided to start a company.” She launched KalaXpress in 2013.

KalaXpress derives from the world “kala” a Hindi word which means “art – the expression of human creative skills and imagination” — self-expression, she says. “I believe fashion should give the wearer a sense of confi dence and power, one should always dress to express. Simply then – from the combination of these two thoughts comes the word KalaXpress.”

Bhojwani’s many travels and cultural background inspire her. Each year she designs one new collection – the latest one is called Survivor and focuses on endangered species. “I named it the Survivor Collection as survivor relates to strong women, we are survivors of 2020 and the pandemic.”

Bhojwani espouses sustainability in her collections: she uses sustainable material whenever possible, ensures all artisans in her employ are treated with respect, and uses no fur or animal skin. Her company also believes in helping others. She supports “One Life to Love” a global non-profi t organization which helps abandoned and neglected children receive shelter, safety and education.

To see more of her designs or to contact Sumita Bhojwani, go to www.kalaxpress.com or email info @kalaxpress.com You can also fi nd her on Instagram and Facebook @kalaxpressdesigns.

www.kalaxpress.com