Swimsuit 2019: Behind the Scenes

Fort Lauderdale’s expansive waterway lends perfectly to leisurely cruising for locals and serves as a dream destination for visitors. More than 300 miles of waterway weaves through Broward County, where anchorages, full-service marinas, hotels, restaurants, and extravagant waterfront homes line its banks.

Southern Boating has indulged in this water wonderland since 1972, it’s our lifestyle, and we felt it was high time to highlight Fort Lauderdale’s waterway landscape in our annual swimsuit issue. When the opportunity to showcase the glamourous Bontona Peninsula property arose, there wasn’t a doubt that this was the perfect backdrop for our 32^ndannual swimsuit photo shoot. How could we say no to a newly redesigned home in the Las Olas Isles with 700 feet of dockage along the New River just off the famed Las Olas Boulevard and a short boat ride to the Atlantic Ocean? We didn’t.

The home highlights Fort Lauderdale’s best assets: sweeping waterway views, ample sunshine, and lavish accommodations. Around every highly stylized corner was another opportunity to photograph stunning swimwear and ravishing resort wear, and no Southern Boating photoshoot could go without a dock, a yacht, and water—luxury at its finest.

But we had some fun too. Check out these behind the scenes photos and videos.

Some of the amazing swimwear we had on hand.

Joey gives Reagan a quick tutorial on day one,

Dino, an African Savannah Cat, makes a surprise visit on set.

Photographer Joey Wright gets low for the perfect shot.

Alexandra checks her photos with photographer Joey Wright.

Alexandra at the entrance of Bontona Peninsula.

Inside the property, we found even more places to shoot.

Reagan enjoys her delicious lunch from Farm to Fork.

Sunny, a hundred foot motoryacht from Hargrave, graced the deepwater dock.

Reagan stuns in a swimsuit and kimono from Jypsea Local.

We’d like to give a special shoutout to all who helped produce this shoot.

Sponsors

Bontona Peninsula: Tom & Katia Bates

Sunny courtesy of Michael Joyce & Hargrave Custom Yachts

Production Team

Photographer: Joey Wright

Assistant to Photographer: Angelo Lumas

Production: Erin Brennan & Ashley Grace

Hair & Makeup: Michele Winters

Food: Farm to Fork *use code SB30 to receive 30% off your order!

Models

Alexandra @alexandrabaron

Reagan @reagan_wray

Raquel @raqqmilla

Swimwear

Jypsea Local jypsealocal.com

Z-Supply zsupplyclothing.com

Lulus lulus.com

Kulani Kini kulanikinis.com

Mott50 mott50.com

Resortwear & Accessories

Koy Resort koyresort.com

Malvados malvados.com

Abaco Sunglasses abacopolarized.com

Chuchka chuchka.com

Provisioning

Farm to Fork farmtoforkmeals.com

Floats Eye Wear

Based in the heart of sunny South Beach, Florida, Floats Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Ego Eyewear and Floats Polarized sunglasses. Since it’s conception over 26 years ago, Floats Eye Wear has been inspired by the sexy, fashion-forward culture of SoBe. We are constantly incorporating the hottest, most luxurious styles into each of our designs. Each year, we exhibit in over 11 trade shows across the globe, including MIDO, the world’s largest trade fair of optical goods in Milan, Italy.

See more Floats Eye Wear

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Abaco Polarized Sunglasses from the 2018 Swimsuit Shoot

Abaco Polarized

The team at Abaco Sunglasses put their heads together and came to the conclusion that it was time to create a new brand of sunglasses based on customers needs and wants. Through countless hours of designing, engineering and strategizing, they made it their mission to manufacture great looking, high quality polarized sunglasses at affordable prices. When developing an affordable line of chic sunglasses for fashion-conscious millennials, all while protecting their eyes with high quality polarized lenses – and Abaco Sunglasses was born.

See more Abaco Sunglasses

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Hats and Bags from Physicians Endorsed

Physician Endorsed, the first fashion-forward line of hats tested and rated for maximum sun protection is pleased to present our latest Collections. As the leading supplier of chic, sun protective accessories to luxury resorts and retailers across the nation, our Sun Protection Accessories, offers our trademark, guaranteed chemical free sun protection of up to UPF 50+, the maximum rating for textiles.

Our styles are straight off the spring catwalks, Physician Endorsed makes sun protection a snap for fashionistas seeking the season’s must-have headwear looks. “We’ll cover you in style from the neck up, says designer Elissa Margulies. The rest is up to you. All hats are crushable, lightweight, with adjustable head sizes, so you customize the fit. And yes, these hats are designed to travel, so, there’s no excuse for not protecting yourself, even on the go. For instant It-girl status, check out our range of brim sizes from medium size brims to the oversized brim, perfect for turning heads at the beach or the finest restaurants.

See hats and bags at Physician Endorsed

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Mishky Jewelry

Mishky, Jewelry with Social Responsibility

This unique jewelry company supports women and children by accessing families in need through numerous Foundations. With “mi mama para mi” (My mom for me), Mishky trains women of low-income areas to become expert artisans.

Teaching techniques and improving skills, allows them to work from home, generate revenue, and provide their children with attention, support, and parent guidance that they so much need. The company has mothers working for “Mi mama para mi” provide an honorable living for their families, instilling in their children the concept of working with dignity and ethics.

With every hour of work from home, one bracelet is produced and one or more kids enjoy more time with their mother, learning, studying and sharing the love.

This jewelry was the perfect accessory during our shoot– colorful, fun, and sophisticated!

Mishky Jewelry was the perfect accessory during our shoot– colorful, fun, and sophisticated!

See jewels at Mishky.com

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Malvados

Inspired by iconic musicians, the wanderers and the wild at heart. Flip flops and sandals that take you everywhere from the beach to the festival—and every windows-down, hair-in-your-face road trip in between. Named after cocktails and rockstars, Malvados sandals are for the life of the party – the badass who are going places and looking good doing it. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bag and take us with you.

Rachel gets a cup of tea in the Resorts World Bimini Lobby during the Annual Southern Boating Swimsuit shoot.

Sarah Beth stretches out in the Resorts World Bimini Lobby.

Tasha takes a break on the large seating area in Resorts World Bimini’s Lobby.

Sarah soaks in the atmosphere of the glamorous lobby at Resorts World Bimini.

See more from Malvados.

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Bond-eye swimwear

Bond-Eye Swimwear

From chic one-pieces to beautiful bikinis, Bond-Eye swimwear is inspired by the culture of Australia’s most iconic beach, Bondi. Offering a collection of feminine and flattering swimwear, each piece has a relaxed sensibility with a fashion-forward edge. Crafted from the most high-performing fabrics, Bond-Eye designs are made to last, yet maintain a luxurious, soft finish.

The girls strike a pose on a jetski on a private beach on the grounds of Resorts World Bimini.

See more: bond-eye.com

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LeTarte Luxe Swimwear

LeTarte Luxe Swimwear is West Coast inspired but has East Coast roots. The comfortable and sophisticated silhouettes were ideal for our adventure to Bimini.

Biking is fun a a Gocycle in a LeTarte coverup.

Go Tasha! Yoga is a breeze in a Letarte Swimsuit ©Jim Raycroft

Tasha wears a LeTarte Luxe Swimsuit on the Zapata Flyboard. ©Jim Raycroft

Biking is fun a a Gocycle in a hat from Physician Endorsed!

See more: letartluxe.com

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Enteraguas Wearable Art

Enteraguas Wearable Art has a story worth telling.

Every ENTREAGUAS has been carefully hand-dyed in-house recycling the water and using eco-friendly pigments. ENTREAGUAS is wearable art. All our lines have a unique mix of sophisticated silhouettes, hand dyed colors and amazing handmade textures that define our philosophy. ENTREAGUAS is part of Colombia’s magical realism. Our designs are born from our most inner ancient traditions such as weaving, which we have developed and upgraded to a top-end, contemporary art level. Our attention to the detail turns out in a piece of art.

See more: Enteraguas.com.co/

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Mott 50

Mott 50 makes staying safe in the sun fashionable. The first anti-aging fashion brand with built-in sun protection…in every garment!

Tasha, with a stunning view at Resorts World Bimini in Mott 50.

Sarah Beth, in Mott 50 on her Hobie Eclipse ©Jim Raycroft

See more: Mott50.com

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Jypsea Local

Jypsea Local is locally owned and operated out of the sunny beaches of South Florida, Jypsea Local isn’t just another swimwear company. The goal is to provide the most fashion-forward looks to mermaids by land & sea combined with a focus on comfort as well as quality.

A passion for all things handmade and women powered keeps Jypsea Local wholly invested in their local artists and crafters community. They continually work with small businesses and often feature one-of-a-kind items in our storefront, and truly believe in a culture of women who empower each other to achieve success and reach personal goals.

See more: Jypsealocal.com

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Helen Jon Designer Swimwear

Helen Jon believes that swimsuits should be as flattering, comfortable and chic as your favorite little black dress – and they should make you feel just as confident and beautiful, too. That’s why our swimsuits, clothing, and activewear are all focused on making you feel comfortable in your own skin first, whether you’re practicing yoga on the beach, chasing little ones through the surf, or soaking up some sun in paradise.

Strike a pose! Tasha relaxes poolside in Helen Jon Swimwear.

Tasha rocked her Helen Jon Swimwear in the pool at Resorts World Bimini.

See the full Helen Jon Swimwear Collection.