diNeila Brazil, Issa and model Chrissy Teigen at Aruba in Style.

Aruba is looking to position itself as fashion-forward destination in the Caribbean, and thanks to it’s Aruba in Style event last weekend, it certainly brought a range of fun international designers to the warm weather getaway full of white sand beaches and clear blue sea. Runways have shown tropical palm prints aren’t just limited to island vacation style, but it was exciting to see more of this trend in the inspired location. Maybe it was the colorful sunsets, flamingos, iguanas and abundance of actual palm trees, but it was a treat to see these references brought to immediately to life. “Aruba has a special place in my heart because I was here almost six years ago on my honeymoon,” explained Neila Granzoti Rudden, designer of diNeila Brazil. With Sports Illustrated model Chrissy Teigen, the two came together on the designer’s first collaboration featuring a vibrant plam print. “We wanted to just have one print, an exotic tropical print, so we tried to do that in a more modern way. So that’s the print we came up with, with some palm trees, some leaves, but depending on how you look at it you can’t really tell that it’s a palm tree. It’s more fashion forward,” explained Neila. With a perfect print, and over 24 mix and match options, the fit was also important to create the bikini line. As Chrissy explained, “I love the bandeau a a lot. Having a chest, it’s nice to have a bandeau that doesn’t squish them down. It has boning, thank god. I woudnt be able to do it any other way.” At Issa‘s runway show, the label’s fan Kate Middleton may not have been front row, but the palm prints continued. Flirty caftans, sexy swimwear and little dresses all displayed the leafy look. We’re already lusting for another exotic escape to Aruba ASAP, but in the meantime, we’ll just play “Kokomo” on repeat.