I heart Soda Pop!... Interview with designer Jessica Abou

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Jessica Abou the creator and designer for Soda Pop; the up and coming fashion brand that was featured at Movistar Fashion Week in Madrid.

Soda Pop is like the M.I.A. of the fashion world and the swimsuits are stellar. So I was thrilled when Jessica agreed to do an interview for Style SPF. What an awesome experience. Jessica is so down to earth, has a great sense of style and community with in the creative world, and some amazing advice for other aspiring designers.

Check out the interview below, and check out Soda Pop www.sodapoprocks.com the FaceBook page is well worth a look too.

StyleSPF: Where are you from originally?
Jessica: My Mum is from Belgium and my Dad from Lebanon. I was born in Belgium,but my parents moved to Marbella, south Spain when I was a baby and thats where I grew up.

StyleSPF:How/why did you choose Soda Pop as the name for your brand?
Jessica: I was searching for the perfect name for quite a while, then suddenly I read Soda Pop somewhere and said that's it! Its fresh, colourful and sounds great. Its also easy to say in nearly all languages.

StyleSPF:How would you define your style?
Jessica:Hot and cute at the same time mixed with a bunch of 80´s idols and ghetto attitude.

StyleSPF:What/where did you study? And how did you get started in the fashion world?
Jessica: I studied Fashion Design in the Istituto Europeo di Design of Madrid,graduated in 2006. I  opened a little studio where I made tailor-made clothes and costumes for theatre plays and any creative project I could get my hands on. I went to Paris for 6 months for an internship at Giambattista Valli, which was amazing but I needed to come back to Madrid  and start thinking on my own thing. Last year I went to New York for a couple of months and worked at Threeasfour. After this I thought it was time to begin my own adventure.

StyleSPF:What inspires you when you design?
Jessica:80's L.A. Gear ads, Sports Illustrated covers, Kelly Kapowski, Venice beach and hot ghetto nail-art with animal prints, and a thousand more things that inspire me every day. I think about the clothes I always look for and never find, so I make them. I love vintage clothes, but many times these clothes are ruined by the pass of time, so I make vintage inspired pieces found in the best vintage shop in Madrid,Retro City.


StyleSPF:What made you want to be a fashion designer?
Jessica:I don't know because I always convinced myself, for my parents, that I was going to be a Lawyer. But thank god I followed my passion and my parents angrily supported me. I knew I just needed time to prove them right.

StyleSPF:Do you have any artists, musicians, or other designers that inspire you?
Jessica:One of my favourite painters is Frida Kahlo. I'm really into Japanese pop-art Takashi Murakami, I love the way Louis Vuitton introduced his acid flowers on their traditional canvas. Mark Ryden is an american painter which I covered my left arm in, I'm a big fan.Music is always present when I'm creating, my favourites lately are Desmond Dekker, Rye Rye and Stacey Q. I love brazilian favela funk and reggaeton too.

StyleSPF:Your facebook page says you launched your brand in 2010. How were you able  to create such a well developed, and well positioned line in such a short  amount of time?

Jessica:Thanks! I'm trying my best to make things work, bringing together my friends, filmmakers, photographers, models, esigners, cool-hunters,djs...we all have to support each other at the beginning.

StyleSPF:What did it mean for Soda Pop to be selected to show in Movistar Fashion Week?
Jessica:It was a great opportunity to have a stand for 3 days open to all kinds of people, and the fashion show went really good, everyone came.

StyleSPF:I see that there is a strong resemblance between you, and one of the models  on your online store…Is it you?
Jessica:Yes its me! As I said before, I make clothes I can't find
anywhere...so I thought why not model too? I like to sell my product, I wear my things all the time.

StyleSPF:What would your recommend to the Style SPF readers as a Total Look for a day at the beach?
Jessica: If your a trendsetter go for the Barbie Malibu Trikini in green and pink, with a big straw pamela hat and some sexy wedges. The Cali Beach Babe bikini looks amazing too if you still need to tan and don't want trikini lines, and wear the Mambo Cookies Yellow Visor Sunglasses,coming soon on the online store!

StyleSPF:What would you recommend to the Style SPF readers as a Total Look for a  Pool Party?
Jessica:The Pretty Woman Dress is perfect for a pool party, as its lycra fabric won't ruin if thrown in the pool. The California Dream Short look super cute with a plain t-shirt and a pair of funky sunglasses and plastic sandals.

StyleSPF:Aside from online. Where can readers find Soda Pop swimwear?
Jessica: In Madrid you can find things at Retro City and The Wall, both in Corredera Baja de San Pablo, in Malasaña. Soon in Barcelona and Ibiza.

StyleSPF:Based on your experience what advice would you give to aspiring designers?
Jessica:Anyone who works in fashion knows its a very competitive and sacrificed world. Everyone wants to be a designer because its cool, but hard work, creativity and perseverance are the base to make things
work out.

Street Styles...Coming Soon!

It's official Spring has finally hit Barcelona, and bikini season is right around the corner! Which means I'm busting out the camera to bring you the most fashionable beach goers at the Barceloneta.

BUT before we see what's going on in Barcelona Style SPF is going on vacation in Malta and bringing back street styles from the beautiful Mediterranean island south of Italy.

COMING SOON: Street Styles from Malta, Gozo, Comino, Sitges and Barcelona; Surf Style Bilbao, and Road Trip La Costa Brava (beach looks from Griona, Tarragona, Cadaques and more)

Fun & Basics for the Beach

As a few readers commented that creating the perfect beach look goes beyond finding a beautiful bikni, and I couldn´t agree more! Being quite the recessionista I´ve decided to update my summer wardrobe with a few accessories to freshen up my look.

A basic white shirt, and a pair of shorts I´ve had in my closet for ages can create innumerable style statements with the right compliments.

Normally I buy my beach bijoux from street vendors, vintage shops, and little stores I find when travelling. However, conventionality got the best of me when I discovered Fun & Basics. It was everything I was looking for in one store! Curious about the brand I sent them email and was put in contact with Intza who was kind enough to send me a look book and answer all my questions about Fun and Basics. While currently you can only find these  accessories in Spain and Italy you can check out the collection at www.funbasics.com . I have a sneaking suspicion that the Madrid based brand has plans to open an online store in the future...

Below I've created a few looks inspired by the trends in Barcelona. Hope you enjoy!

La vie Boheme!...The "Fun Organzier" is perfect for traveling.

American Pie

Hyper Color...there is no escaping the importance of BRIGHT colors this season.

Feeling Blue...One of this season's alternatives for those who don't like orange.

¡Designers de España!

While Brazilian designers like Rosa Chá and Luli Fama dominate South Beach; Spanish designers rule  the Costa Brava. After looking at these pics from S/S 2011 I'm sure you'll agree that Spanish swimwear designers are "de puta madre!".

Andrés Sarda 
Luxury Lingerie and Beachwear designer from Barcelona.
Fashion was always a part of his life as his family were proprietors of a textile factory since the end of the 19th century. In 1962 he founded his own design firm  specilized in swimwear, and intimate apparel.

TCN 

Lingerie and Swimwear brand by designer Totón Comella from Barcelona.

Another fantastic designer inspired by her family´s history and importance in the textile industry.

ORY 

Swimwear, Intimate Apparel, and Spa Wear from Burgos, Spain.

Dolores Cortés

Valencian swimwear designer continuing an over 50 year family tradition.

Dos Mares

Swimwear brand created by Brazilian born designer Ann María Settimi who chose to get into the Spanish fashion world by creating her brand in Barcelona, in 1981.

Lenita Canarias' Choice

Brand created by Swedish born Beachwear designer Lenita Burman. She moved to the Canary Islands at the age of 6 and never left. She continues to draw inspiration from the beautiful beaches and islanders.

Montse Bassons Basmar

Catalan swimwear designer from Barcelona. She launched her brand Basmar in 1975.

Custo Barcelona

This brand created by brothers Custo and David gained international popularity in the mid 90's for their unique printed T-shirts. Now they offer an array of line extensions including their swimwear collection.

Guillermina Baeza

This designer  was born in a Spanish territory of Morroco, and moved to Barcelona in the 60´s to study and form a career in swimwear and intimate apparel. Baeza began to gain noteriety in the 80´s after showing at Salon Gaudí in Barcelona, and Pret a porter in Paris.

Agatha Ruíz de la Prada

This designer from Madrid began her fashion career in 1980 and is known for her signature style of combining bright colors, and hearts.

Soda Pop

This up and comming Spanish brand was recently featured at Movistar Fashion Week in Madrid.They´re young, edgy style is more refreshing than diet cola.

Swimsuits to Suit your Shape

Finding the perfect swimsuit can be about as frustrating as finding a good boyfriend. There are so many attractive options, BUT it´s so hard to find one that´s actually a good fit. Fortunately, only one of these is essential for the perfect beach day (I'm talking about the swimsuit).

They key to finding the perfect swim suit is finding a silhouette that compliments your body's shape, & gives the right amount of support where/when it's necessary. Regardless of your shape or size there is no need to sacrifice style when looking for the perfect fit. Below I've posted some tips on how to find the perfect swimsuit for your shape, and included some options that capture this seasons biggest trends. 

The Triangle or Pear Shape (small on top, with wider hips)

This is where I fit in. Personally, I love having small breasts & think that a small waist with big hips is the epitome of femininity. I love to wear bandeaus & solid triangle tops to give me a garcon look from the waist up, and a Brazilian cut bottoms with tie sides to emphasize my curvy bottom half. However, ideally most of us would like to create balance with our clothing options. For you my fellow triangles and pears the trick to creating balance is to add volume to your top half, and minimize your bottom. Below I´ll post some examples from this season and explain why they work for you.

This mix and match style from Poko Pano S/S 2011 is ideal for pear shapes! The horizontal stripes and rounded neck line create volume at the bust, while the hipster bottom gives the perfect amount of front coverage to give balance to your figure. This Brazilian style is sure to have cheeky back coverage which is perfect for Pears! The most common mistake women make is want to maximize the back coverage of their swim suit in order to appear smaller. This actually has the opposite effect! The more you cover your booty the bigger it will look.

This monokini from Aqua di Lara S/S 2011 is stunning in hyper color pink! The diagonal line that cut from waist to neck will open up your chest and create volume across your shoulders to give you a perfect hour glass shape. At the same time the diagonal lines that connect waist to hip will accentuate your curves in a good way.

The ruffle triangle tops that launched last year were so popular that many designers are bringing them back this season. If you'd like to create volume at your chest with out padding this is a fantastic option. The ruffle tops play perfectly into the feminine and lingerie inspired trends. This polka dot version from Spanish designer Guillermina Beaza  is a beautiful option for both tan and fair skin. The low rise bottom  elongates the torso which is great for Pears that are short waisted. If you'd rather elongate your legs opt for a hi cut bikini bottom. Choosing a bottom in a solid color will draw the focus upward.

The Apple (Bit of a tummy, usually with slimmer legs & arms)

Brace yourself ladies because it is finally your season for fashionable swimwear styles that compliment your shape! The Retro Style high waist bikinis that dominated the runway are perfect to hide a bit of tummy while giving an incredibly sexy and feminine silhouette. Some of the lingerie inspired or 1970's inspired one pieces are also fantastic options

This Retro 70's style one piece from Red Carter is the PERFECT suit for an apple. The solid black bottom panel  is perfect for slimming the mid section. The belt expertly placed at the natural waist line cinches and creates a smaller waist line; while the graphic lines draw attention the bust & create volume at the bust and shoulders which adds balance to a rounder shape.

This one swimsuit from Brazilian brand Cia.Maritima works alot like the one piece from Red Carter above. Combining a print with a solid breaks up the silhouette which helps convert a round apple into an hour glass. The difference is that here we slim the top half with a solid black color and a lot of rouching to help cinch the waistline. The wide V straps create volume at the shoulders which also help balance out the waistline. I love the  triangle shaped cut out right above the natural waist line, it's extremely sensual.

With Retro Styling becoming a macro trend for swim wear this seasons there are infinite options for high waisted bikinis. I couldn't resist using this version by Rosa Chá because the entire collection was breathtakingly gorgeous! High waisted bikinis work extremely well on hour glass, apple, and pear shaped women. They work because they work because they accentuate the natural waist line, while flattering  (but not minimizing) feminine curves and hips. Many highwaist bikini come with bra inspired tops which give great support for bustier women, but are also a great fit for women with smaller breasts. These styles manage to be demure, and sexy at the same time (which is surely why this trend has caught on so quickly). I can´t help but think that Betty Page must have had something to do with the inspiration.

The Inverted Triangle (Wide shoulders, and narrow hips)

For inverted triangles the most flattering styles are ones that create volume at your hips to balance out your top half, with tops that compliment or minimize your shoulders. 

This 70´s inspired Bikini by TCN is ideal for inverted triangles because the exaggerated ruffle detail at the hip will add volume to create balance with your figure. Though a bandeau style is not ideal for minimizing, paired with the ruffled bottom it will compliment your strong shoulders and create a feminine silhouette.

This Monokini from Red Carter is incredibly sexy and ideal for an inverted triangle. The halter style top and plunging neck line creates the appearance of narrow shoulders, and the low rise bottom sits on the widest part of the torso to create volume at the hips.

Boyshort and hipster style bottoms will add dimension to your hips which creates curves, and will balance out your top half. Halter and triangle tops will downplay your shoulders by creating the illusion of a narrow point around the neck. This hyper color print by Tavik is the perfect example.

The Ruler (Straigh up and down, ¨boyish¨ figure)

If you're a ruler you can play up, or play down any part of your torso to create your desired shape. Choose bottoms that add dimension to your hips, and tops that lengthen your shoulders to create an hourglass. Or maybe play down your bust with a solid colored bandeau or triangle top paired with a printed hipster bottom to give you the feminine shape of a guitar. The only style I would NOT recommend for a ruler would be a high waisted bikini. This style while make you look extremely boxy.

If you'd like to create the illusion of a curvy hourglass figure than this 70's inspired, Missoni-ish printed bikini from Paradizia is ideal. The combination of a low rise bottom with a ruffle will widen your hips, and the beaded fringe on the triangle top will also help to add volume to your bust. The scalloped horizontal stripes will also help widen both the bust line, and the hips which will cinch your waist line by comparison.

If you'd like to emphasize your hips then this zebra print bikini from Luli Fama is perfection! The low rise scoop bottom will create delicate curves, while the bandeau top will widen your shoulders a bit but down play the bust. Just like horizontal stripes this zebra print will also help to cinch the waist line by creating the illusion of volume on your top and bottom half.

The Hour Glass

Lucky you have the shape most women strive to create with their swim wear choice. However, you know best that not any suit will do. Many hour glasses have a hard time finding a flattering suit that provides the needed support for their bust. Here are some beautiful options.

If moderate bust support is what you're looking for this bikini from Aquarella is nice option.the seeming under the bust line is a bit wider than a traditional triangle top which helps give a bit of lift. Also, notice there are 3 places to adjust the top which will help for both support and to adjust the desired amount of cleavage. The bow in the center allows you to push your breasts together for more cleavage or apart for less. The halter style tie around the neck will give you desired lift, and the tie around the back gives you the ability to adjust to fit as necessary.  Choosing a matching print will keep your hour glass proportions which is exactly what you're looking for. 

If more bust support is what you need than this 1950's retro style, lingerie inspired bikini is a perfect fit, that's perfectly on trend. In general looking for styles with cup sizes like bras will help achieve the support you need. The high waist bottom will compliment your feminine curves, and can also have a slimming effect.

This hyper color bikini is a great option if you're looking for something skimpy/sexy but with fantastic support. This retro triangle top is offered from 32A to 38D, and comes with removable padding. Another great feature is the option to pick your bottom style which is available from low rise, to high waist (any of which will compliment an hour glass figure quite nicely).