MANILA, Philippines—The colors of dawn painted bronzed models strutting down the catwalk in the exclusive SWIM fashion show held at Topshelf, Bonifacio High Street.

The roofdeck-lounge of Fully Booked was transformed into a tropical oasis in the city, with bamboo cabanas embellished with gold-encrusted shells and cascading birds of paradise flowers.

The svelte mannequins showed off the stylish bikini collections from internationally renowned labels such as Michael Kors Swimwear, Vix Summer 08, Hermanny, Vitamin A, L’Space, Sofia, Watersun, and Baku. The surprise guest model was unveiled at the end of the show, Tweety de Leon-Gonzalez in a beautiful, flowing chiffon dress. Trip M played the hypnotic runway music throughout the tropical fete.

SWIM, which specializes in designer swimwear, is the sister company of the hyper-successful and premier store catering to Filipina beach lovers’ needs, Nothing But Water. At the helm in Dimples Balaguer-la’O, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco. She has revealed plans of expanding and opening satellite SWIM resort stores within the year, in top island destinations including Boracay, Palawan, the Maldives, Fiji, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

Bikini-clad girls in the city? Don’t look now, but summer is officially here.

Visit swimphilippines@gmail.com for more info on SWIM’s luxe line.