Anna Kosturova crochets a bikini lifestyle

It’s summer! Hopefully the clouds will soon break and the muggy humidity will give way to sunny rays. When that happens, it’s good to know that the queen of bikinis is right here in town. Long-time Vancouver resident and crochet-swimwear designer Anna Kosturova has been innovating the timeless classic since 1999 and has made quite the splash on the international swimwear scene. In the time that the Georgia Straight first introduced her to Vancouverites all those years back, Kosturova has been featured in dozens of magazines, from ELLE to FHM, and superbabes likes Rebecca Romijn and Elle Macpherson have modeled her goods in Sports Illustrated.

That’s a pretty stellar résumé, but what’s even more impressive is the variety within Kosturova’s line. She has been involved in fashion shows and photo shoots where gorgeous but mortal, naturally “real� women like the Suicide Girls and members of the local Ultra Vixens have worn her wares, and they all looked smokin’. The designer has gone far beyond the standard itty-bitty triangle-top crocheted string bikini. Kosturova has created so many styles from halter-kinis and boy-cut bottoms to side-revealing one-piece maillots and the pin-up mini to the fringed-and-cowrie-shell-beaded Rangali vest—there is a cut for nearly everyone, including an underwired padded top for those of us who need a little boost.

The Straight caught up with Kosturova at her Gastown studio while she was preparing for the launch of her newest line at an upcoming international-swimwear tradeshow in Miami next month. Not only does she have a great selection of swimwear styles, but she has also taken things even further this season to include a full range of resort/travel pieces. “It makes sense that you offer the full look. You can’t just stop with one thing. I wanted to show the whole lifestyle,� says Kosturova, who also plans to add shoes and jewelry in the future. With this expansion she has introduced woven fabrics of cotton and silks in lush tropical colors. With her hand-tie-dyed silk-wrap dresses, she keeps in mind that when you’re living a life of beachy leisure you might not want to get changed at the cabana for dinner and drinks, so she made certain every piece can go from day to night effortlessly. The ankle-length, puffy-long-sleeved version has a glamorous ’30s feel to it with a fitted yet movable bodice and a flowery, breezy skirt. The shorter spaghetti-strap number is subtly embellished with sequins around the trim—not too much, just enough to highlight any bling you happen to be sporting. Plus, all the miniskirts can be worn as halter-tops, and the long crochet skirt can be worn as a dress in three variations. Another hot item is the crocheted yoga pant. These babies are so cute that even if you are a yoga-loathing, sun-avoiding goth you’ll want a pair—in black, of course. Inspired by the neon dance culture of the eighties, Kosturova has also come out with colors like electric yellow and fuchsia. Remember those little one-piece rompers that were big in the 1970s and early ’80s? Well, this year Kosturova has made the cutest little updated crocheted version: all you need is a pair of roller skates and some headphones. There is way too much to mention everything, so check out anna kosturova.com/ for all the goodies.

With all the international press she’s been getting, it’s no wonder Kosturova was invited to include her suits in the V.I.P. gift bags at the last Emmy awards and the recent Cannes Film Festival. When asked about all the glitz and glam, the Czech-born chiquita says in her usual chilled-out way: “You know, I was dining next to Oliver Stone and the cast of Platoon—it was some anniversary or something—and I really thought, ‘Oh, what do I care, as long as I get my mojito’â€�. 

In other news- 

Miss Hamilton County Wins Swimsuit Preliminary at Miss Tennessee

Stefanie Wittler is taking beginner’s luck to a whole new stratosphere. The 19-year-old from Soddy-Daisy won the first Miss Tennessee local preliminary she entered in August in becoming Miss Hamilton County. She ended her first day of competition at the Miss Tennessee Pageant on Wednesday night in Jackson with a victory in the swimsuit preliminary and becoming one of the early favorites to leave the Carl Perkins Civic Center Saturday night with the 2006 title.

The sophomore communications major at UT-Chattanooga impressed the judges as she strutted across the stage in a red bikini. Wittler shrieked when pageant emcee and former Miss Tennessee Allison Alderson DeMarcus announced her victory to the near sellout crowd. I wasn’t expecting this at all. Wittler said afterwards. It definitely gives me a boost, but I still have to keep working hard.

This wasn’t the first time that the former captain of the national champion Soddy-Daisy cheerleading squad had won a fitness category at a state pageant. At the 2004 Tennessee Junior Miss finals, Wittler won the physical fitness and poise awards. Ms. Wittler could become the youngest Miss Tennessee winner in 38 years. In 1968, Brenda Seal was also 19 when she became the state titleholder.

Stephanie will compete in the evening wear and on-stage questions segments tonight and conclude with talent on Friday. She will sing the Dolly Parton classic I Will Always Love You.  http://www.misstennessee.org/2006.htm

Speaking of Bikini's - Cameron Diaz seems to have lost her Bikini Top

Cameron Diaz heated the Caribbean beaches above the melting point as she sunbathed topless.

The slender blonde actress looked relaxed and happy as she made the most of the sun on her Bahamas break with a group of girlfriends, including Charlie's Angels' co-star Drew Barrymore.

"Cameron looked in fantastic shape. She was with a gaggle of girl pals and they spent ages riding the waves. She later whisked off her bikini top but kept on a straw hat to shield her face from the hot rays," an onlooker commented.

Meanwhile, her boyfriend, singer Justin Timberlake, has promised his next album entitled, "Future Sex/Love Sounds," will be "raunchy" and "sexy".

A few months ago Cameron Diaz won a substantial amount in damages in a civil lawsuit filed against a photographer who took topless photos of her when she was 19.