Welcome to my new Blog
Welcome to my new blog. My name is Ritchie Berger and I am the founder and owner of Ritchie Swimwear, a designer swimwear company based in South Florida. We have been in business for nearly 30 years and design and manufacturer two complete lines of ladies swimwear: our signature Ritchie collection and Pan Dulce.
Our products are sold online at our website www.ritchieswimwear.com, at our four retail stores in South Florida and at better specialty shops around the United States and the rest of the world.
I have set up this blog to interact and communicate with my customers and to anyone else with questions or comments regarding swimsuit designs, styling, fit and other related topics. I look forward to hearing from you.
Our products are sold online at our website www.ritchieswimwear.com, at our four retail stores in South Florida and at better specialty shops around the United States and the rest of the world.
I have set up this blog to interact and communicate with my customers and to anyone else with questions or comments regarding swimsuit designs, styling, fit and other related topics. I look forward to hearing from you.
posted by Bikini Man | 8:48 AM
30 Comments:
Oh my god I love your swimwear! Your bikini's are so unique! Please post when your new kids swimwear is coming so I can get my daughter a something!
THANK YOU and keep up the great work!
KATIE F.
HI,
I love your bikini's because of their originality! I am a mother of 2 one girl and one boy. I would like to get my daughter one of your bathing suits but your kids 2006 collection is not out. When is it coming?
Thank you for taking the time to read my comment!
sincerley yours,
Katie F.
What do you see as the latest trends this summer in swimwear? I live in So. Calif. and I'm looking for 2 new suits this year but I want to be "on the cutting edge".
What is the best kind of top in terms of fit, style and color to enhance an A/B cup?
HI ladies, sorry for the delay in response. On the matter of kids, I will probably make a few styles to have in the middle of June. What type of styles would you like to see? I have always had a tough time because I feel kids suits should not be too (grown up) like my womens suits. But alot of the moms say it ok that they are small. There are so many perverts out there I get worried if my kids suits look too grown up. Any feedback is welcomed. thanks Ritchie
I think the biggest thing in deciding a suit this year is to ask yourself the question- do I want a little bling or something natural looking? Most of our customers like a bit of both, but some are one or the other. Once you answer this question than it is on to cut. To step back a minute, there are some great blingy looks out there and some great natural looks. The Bling tends to use crystals, metalic fabrics and metal hardware. The naturals use earth tone solids or prints and are enhaced with wood, or shell trims. When shopping this year, you should take advantage of one of these great looks. As for the fits, low or the illusion of low is still in. Rrear coverage is personally taste and how daring you want to be. When I say low or the illusion of low, just make sure your bottom is cut more straight across the front and does not have that old fashioned dip in front. As far as top, halters and triangles still are the volume and well liked but bandeaus are coming on and I predict cool underwires will come back ,but most likely next year.
I feel what works best on A and B cups is not to go overboard on the padding and embrace and love what you have. Slight padding is better than alot. I also do not like companies that market all these extreme enhancers. I feel it is a put down in a way. I am not against alittle padding but I do not think one should add numerous cup sizes.
I live in Thompson, Manitoba, Canada. Very far north for someone in Florida. :) I purchased 2 bikinis from your website last year and I must say I was not expecting what came in the mail. They were gorgeous! I'd never seen anything like them. One had actual lace overlay and the other was made of real cordoruy! Worth every penny. Everyone wanted to touch them, a little awkward at times, but flattering.
Where do you get your inspiration for using such unique materials?
Thank you for a high quality bathing suit. I look forawrd to pruchasing more for future vacations!
Taura H.
Manitoba, Canada
I just came across your site and wanted to let you know about our new site called The Bikini Blogs. We are looking to build a whole bikini blogging community and are providing everything for free. We'd love it if you would consider posting a blog there (you can automatically import your blogs from here) and also contribute to the forums and galleries. You are welcome, and even encouraged, to promote your website and and products with us. We're brand new and just getting the site off the ground so we would appreciate your feedback.
We are also looking for swimwear companies who would consider providing prizes for contests and things and would like to have Ritchie Swimwear participate.
Hi Taura, thanks for the note. My inspiration comes from many places. First the women of Miami. If you can impress them (very picky), you can impress many people. I also look to the runways of Europe (clothing), because there are many companies and designers I admire. I like Dior, Versace (especially when Gianni was alive), Chanel, Dolce Gabbana. I also look at what the trendy jeans companies are doing. Lastly, I let my imagination run wild and try to bring something out that has not been tried before. My stores also serve as a proving ground to see what works and what does not. I like to experiment with cuts and fabrics, because even if a particular suit is a failure, there might be an aspect of it that becomes a hit in a future bikini, so you must always take some chances (like in life). It also helps to have a bit of an ego, to still want to prove after many years that you are one of the best. Have a great day, Ritchie
Hi Bwells, It's funny, we are getting alot of request for the mens thongs we used to make, so we put in a small cut for them, they will be ready soon. As a former thong wearer and the former mens model for our company, I will say that unles your tanning in private I feel they are out of style. I am still in good shape but I feel our mens low cut tanning suit is a little more modern and cooler looking and I wear those on South Beach and in Europe. I will admit now when I am at other beaches around the country I have given up the small suits and use surf shorts, where does your husband wear his thong?
YOUR WELCOME ,HAVE A GREAT DAY
Hi Ritchie,
I am a tad over weight, do you recommend a 1 or 2 peice suit?
Debra
Hi Ritchie,
Do you reccomend a 1 or 2 peice suit if a person is over weight?
Debby
Anything coming out for this year in a bronze metallic fabric - the skimpier, the better. It's such a wonderful color against nicely tanned skin. I'm looking for something really plain (no
bling added)- just the metallic.
Thanks
Great lines!
Caroline
Hi Debra, The choice to wear a 1 or 2 piece should not be dictated by wieght. If your comfortable in a 2 piece, go for it. You will surely get better tanlines. If you are not quite ready for a 2 piece, I have seen many great 1 pieces out there. Another option is a Tankini top with a bikini bottom. This is the route my company took this year. It also gives you the bikini option if you buy a second top for the days you want a true 2 piece.
Hi Fushia (Michelle), thanks for the kind words. If you need some info on Florida, let me know
Caroloine, I have some great metalic bronze fabric this year. I did embelish it with crystals . If you have bought something from us before a know our companies size range, I can make you a plain metalic bronze suit. Check out my web site to see the bronze fabric (Gianni Group) and e-mail us thru the web site, thanks Ritchie P.S. if you like a skimpy suit, our Brazilian cut if awesome, it does come in a cool chocolate (almost bronze, not metalic though), just order a size bigger than you think, because they are skimpy.
What is everyone doing for M-Day? Anyone coming to Miami?
Hi Ritchie,
I live in Miami and for M-day we went to the beach. It's funny because I had picked up your very pretty honey moon suit a few days before and got many compliments! People especially liked the headband and wrap! Thank you for the suit!
HI RITCHIE,
I LIVE IN WESTON, FL AND I WANTED TO KNOW YOUR NEAREST STORE LOCATION. THANK YOU,
BRIANNA PHELPS
Hi Brianna, our nearest store is in Sawgrass, next to RonJons Surf store. What is cool about this location is, you can purchase a 2006 bikini at full price or get a 2005 bikini for a great price. We also have a cool (full price only) store at the Hard Rock shops.
I just received my new swimsuit and absolutely LOVE it! I ordered the Special Halter and Bow Side Bottom in the Capri fabric and I've never had a suit that fit better. I am officially hooked!
Thanks so much,
Monique M.
Tampa, Florida
can you or do you make an enhancer top for a woman who is a small A cup size an a bust size of 30inches
THANKYOU
Deb L.
Hey Ritch,
Nice blog. What's new with the company? Good luck with your new line. Thanks.
Hi Ritchie! It's Betsy :) i was just showing my mom your website and a sneak peak at next years line and like always... she loves your suits! Anyways, just wanted to let u know that i am very excited about all the size changes you've made for next year as well as the different prints ;0
RITCHIE; I HAVE ADMIRED YOUR COLLECTION EVER SINCE WE MET AT A SWIM SHOW IN MIAMI A FEW YEARS AGO.
AS A FABRIC IMPORTER AND CONVERTER "LYCRA" IS MY MIDDLE NAME. WE REPRESENT FIRMS FROM ITALY(QUADRIFOGLIO) FRANCE AND BRAZIL .ALSO DO SOME"ORIGINAL" IDEAS AS A LINE WE ARE DOING FOR JESSICA SIMPSON. WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH YOU HERE OR COME TO FLORIDA. AS A FELLOW BROOKLYN BORN FASHION GUY I AM ...JOEL GOLDFARB //LA LAME FABRICS//212 921-9770 OR E MAIL JLZJL@AOL.COM
When will the men's 2007 suites be available? Thanks
Hi Anonymous 3/15/07. For the most part, we are going to stick with the color/styles that we already have for 2007. We do plan to add a lower cut boxer style men's suit in about a month, which will be available in a few colors.
Any other style suggestions???
Ritchie
Thanks I think all your styles cover everything on the men's side of things. Only thing you may want to due is enlarge the pouch a little but all your suites are great! I noticed many of the colors for the low cut tanning brief-full back are not available in medium, example midnight blue, gray, and orange. Will these be available at a later date? Thanks, John
------Hi Anonymous 3/15/07. For the most part, we are going to stick with the color/styles that we already have for 2007. We do plan to add a lower cut boxer style men's suit in about a month, which will be available in a few colors.
Any other style suggestions???
Ritchie
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