Los Angeles - March 10, 2003

Sink or Swim

James Bikinis Come to L.A.

New Yorkers are such know-it-alls.

Art, theater, fashion, publishing … is there anything they don’t think they invented? And that’s not the worst of it. Now they’re exporting swimwear — to L.A., of all places (what, like the Hudson River is a hotbed of style?) Nevertheless, they scored: James bikinis, the Brazilian-inspired New York line that’s been hugging the precious figures of Giselle, J. Lo, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Moss, and Ines Riveiro, is making the play for our shores.

Unfortunately, a boycott is out of the question. Made with great prints in beautiful (albeit skimpy) cuts, James’ couture-quality suits are too good to pass up — even in the name of Left Coast loyalty. Plus they’ve added resort clothing to the label, as well as a cheaper line called 2 by James that can be custom-monogrammed on the bum.

As for regional pride, L.A. can at least take solace in the fact that James suits here will be hitting the beach a lot sooner than those in New York.

And isn’t all that sunshine why we live here after all?

Available at Na’Pali, 8366 West 3rd Street (323-655-5958); or online at james-swim.com.