There is a very special kind of researcher residing in Savannah whose only goal in life is to research and solve the world’s most pressing ecological problems. Even more impressive, he specializes—and thrives—in environments that are inhospitable to virtually all other scientists across the world. Currently, his field experience ranges from reading seismic activity of volcanoes in Hawaii to keeping the depths of our own coastal marshlands and coral reefs clean and functioning. He’s got the weight of the natural world on his shoulders, yet from the massive water tank where he cheerfully hones his skills, he gives a friendly, relaxed wave. But, the big puppy eyes and surfer-like demeanor are a bit misleading because, after all, he’s not really the one in control.

Techy is an underwater robot, and the brainchild of a team of students enrolled at Georgia Tech’s coastal campus. From scratch, they designed and built Techy, who weighs around 60 pounds, is worth about $30,000 and came to life after a few thousand man hours. With the loving determination of a new parent and the help of a high-tech set up of computers, cameras and controls, they now spend large amounts of their time monitoring and recording his every move as Techy’s doe eyes are actually two video cameras that allow the team to see exactly what he sees, right when he sees it. “There’s no delay to the eye,” graduate student Steven Bradshaw says, pointing to one of the many computer screens that are hooked up to Techy and make up their research headquarters. Eventually, those happy-go-lucky eyes will capture and create a database of information that the team acquires from the ocean floor of our local waterways. But, before they threw him to the wild seas, Techy had to prove himself.

In June, after success in preliminary competitions that siphon off the cream of the crop from over 400 teams across the world, the team put Techy to the ultimate test in one of the most extreme environments on earth. Their winning design afforded them a spot at the Annual International Student ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Competition at the University of Hawaii in Hilo, where they placed 15^th overall, an impressive showing despite a few technical problems. “We didn’t have some of the hardware. We lost a thruster when we were traveling,” says Bradshaw. “We had to reroute some of the internal wiring and went from a four thruster to a three thruster configuration.”

After staying up until the wee hours of the morning rehabbing Techy, the students successfully guided him through the competition, which primarily consisted of four missions that simulate field tasks similar to those they perform during underwater research. And, this year, the competition was hot—literally. “One of the things they really tried to emphasize is volcano research,” Bradshaw says explaining that their missions included repairing equipment, collecting samples and data or detecting rumbling sites. “ There was a lot of sensory and object retrieval,” says student Lisa Hicks.

Beyond the physical challenges, the team says they learned a lot about science, research—and of course robots—from being around so many like-minded people, who are all using technology for the betterment of the environment, and who are all from vastly different backgrounds, experience levels and even ages. “From middle-schoolers to graduate students, we’re all tackling the same solutions,” Bradshaw says. “There’re a lot of different ways to go about things, so there’s a lot of ingenuity.”

BIG MAN ON CAMPUS

But, the annual competition is only one of the end goals for the underwater robotics division. The Savannah-based department is led by Dr. Fumin Zhang, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, who has been researching robotics for over 15 years and is instrumental in bringing interest and funding to the program. Recently, he was named a recipient of the 2010 Young Investigator Award given by The Office of Naval Research. The award brought over a half million dollars to the coastal research center and will be used to make improvements to Techy and a few other specialty vehicles. “What we’re doing here is really cutting edge, especially with marine biology,” he says of their capabilities.

While he gets just as excited about the competition as the students, his passion is practical application. In fact, after the devastating oil spill in the gulf coast, large-scale rescue efforts are on the forefront of his mind—and research. “I’m trying to figure out why there’s so little we can do,” he says of the ongoing cleanup efforts. “I’ve been doing research for 15 years and see that we don’t have options. That’s the reason I’m supporting the development of these vehicles.”

While Zhang’s department specializes in underwater research, he says right now is a very industrious and exciting time for the entire field of robotics. The field of study has exploded and is now being used for everything from marine biology research to rescue and cleanup efforts to national defense. “The next generation of fighters will be autonomous,” Zhang says of the future robotic ancestors of Techy. He estimates that in about 20 years there will be fleets of robots that are able to function completely on their own. And it seems forward thinking is his forte. One of his other major goals for the department is to kids started early. Right at the campus, he has set up a program so that kids from local middle and high schools can come to the campus to learn about and build robots. “Nationwide, robotics education has become one of the fastest growing subjects,” he says.

To learn more about the program, visit, gtsav.gatech.edu or facebook.com/georgiatechsavannah

Over the span of a month, incorporating all forms of social media, thousands of Savannahians nominated and voted for their favorite locals, creating this charming list of the city’s hottest and most eligible singles in the Hostess City. Good looking and good hearted, these lovely ladies and gents are uniquely and positively Southern—meaning not only are they smart, passionate and charismatic, but they also possess a natural appreciation for sweet tea and a 5 o’clock cocktail. Whether spotted downtown or on Tybee, these singles might just be exactly what you’re looking for. Read closely as they tell you what they’re looking for and how to win their hearts. Sit back and enjoy the South’s finest … they’re dying to meet you.

For interviews and more pictures, check out the August/September issue out now!

Fueled by the rise of detached, blasé indie-rock and an ironic, insular sense of humor begat by the access road of absurdist snark, hipsterdom has since blossomed into a strange mash-up of aggressive individualism and blissfully unaware groupthink. A catchall term that’s bandied about as much by jaded, middle-aged pop-culture curmudgeons (present and accounted for) as twenty-and-thirty-somethings, “hipster” has managed to slip the surly bonds of rigid definition to become that rarest of labels: one which virtually none can seem to accurately define, yet which most find offensive (if applied to themselves, that is).

There are those far and wide who hold (rail, even) that hipster culture is a shallow and superficial hodgepodge – a post-modern, Cliff’s Notes fusion of incongruent stylistic references custom-made for the instant-gratification, web-surfing, sound bite generation. Yet, almost to a one, the ten locals featured on the following pages do not consider themselves to be hipsters. For them, their senses of fashion—related though they may somewhat be to the stereotypical trappings of the “hipster establishment” (if such a thing can even exist)—are direct and highly personal manifestations of their own life experiences.

Through their own words and outlooks, these sincere, dedicated followers of fashion offer an insight into the sauce of chaos and individuality that hides in plain sight behind lazy generalizations.

To read more about Savannah’s Hipsters check out South Magazine’s August September issue!

Things aren’t ever as they actually appear. Just ask visual artist John Fulton. Because while the word “photography” suggests a truthful representation of the subject in focus, the magic of Fulton’s work lies in his ability to seamlessly blend fact and fiction. Although specializing in conceptual advertising, Fulton’s large body of work ranges from calculated pictorial advertisements to editorial narratives that are heavy with symbolism and ambiguity. For the viewer, there is both satisfaction and guesswork in his art.

Fulton’s editorial photography has appeared in both local and international media outlets and everything in between. He’s most recognized for his portrait and landscape work, although his subject matter varies. But, as always with him, there’s another layer to the story. He started his career at the Brooks Institute of Photography in California, where he surprisingly dedicated an entire English term to writing a 30-page, anti-digital photography rant on why the traditional methods are best. “Flash forward ten years,” Fulton says, “My post work—it is so integral to my style [that] it’s almost like painting.” Now, he revels in the entire process of digitally enhancing photographs. “It’s not to be underrated,” he says. “The retouching is almost like painting, like photography and painting together.”

On average, Fulton spends a minimum of 10 hours on each image. “It’s definitely a lot of hours,” he says. “I’ve been shooting creative stuff, non-architectural stuff, for South for probably a year, year-and-a-half, and each image easily takes 10 to 12 hours.” But that’s nothing. For major advertising campaigns such as Golf Pride and Georgia Power, Fulton spends an average of 80 to 100 hours on each individual image. He says, “That’s like 700 layers,” or stacks of different stylistic adjustments, composited on top of each other to create a single, final image in Adobe Photoshop. While on-site and in-studio photo shoots are the foundation of his work, the majority of Fulton’s efforts are spent digitally, shifting and blending and layering images to complete his final artistic vision.

A single, finished photograph can include hundreds of different photographs combined. For Fiddler Over Paris (See right), he says most of the image “was captured in camera while working [in Paris] about five years ago. The fiddler, fiddle case, music stand, music book and the concrete roof that they’re sitting on were all separate and photographed in Savannah.” Though it isn’t obvious, Fulton reveals, “The book actually shows the music for the iconic song Aux Champs Elysees.” Fulton borrowed the props from his friends at The Paris Market, above which his downtown Savannah studio is located. He photographed the images “on the fly,” he says, “as I was retouching.”

Fiddler Over Paris, like much of Fulton’s personal work, is retouched here and there over the course of a few years until he feels the image is complete. “I began retouching on this image about three years ago and then sculpted it little by little into the final image which was completed two weeks ago. I’d guess in total it would have taken about 20 hours of retouching—not including the photography,” he says.

The outcome is an enigmatic narrative. Unable to determine where the story begins and where it ends, viewers are left to discover the details—the fiddle’s whine, the smoky presence in the air, the push of clouds overhead—piece by piece.

RUNNING A GOOD CAMPAIGN

“Mystery is not always good for advertising,” Fulton says of the difference between his editorial and advertising styles. And it’s true—mystery, ambiguity—these are not adjectives befitting a successful advertising campaign, but Fulton manages to wield both clarity—a lucid image to attract our eyes—and just enough mystery to keep us lingering there. His final images for the Golf Pride campaign (See LEFT) give viewers definite direction; their mystery is in the making. To create the crowds of people at the top of the image, alongside the green, Fulton photographed and re-photographed a dozen or so actors. Countless costume changes and repositionings were required for the shoot. The final image narrates the excitement of spectating at the 18^th hole but reveals nothing of the laborious twelve-person shoot.

The Georgia Power project is a four-image advertising campaign—only two of which have been publicly revealed. “[The first two photographs] have been released all over the region,” Fulton says. “They’re really complex and complicated work. Each one of those images is 500 different pieces—that’s not even layers, that is images assembled.” The campaign, which promotes the idea of a cleaner, more sustainable energy via nuclear power, focuses on the new nuclear power plant in Waynesboro, Georgia. The location hosts the first reactors to be active in 30 years.

“The agency worked for three weeks to even get permission to get to the site,” Fulton says. “They’re still building. It’s a really, really fun experience to bring my whole crew onto an active nuclear power site. The stuff is so big—I’m on a twenty-foot ladder—moving equipment,” he says. “[And] it all needs to be shown in soft light.” With the weather in Fulton’s favor, the team spent three days shooting on site. He spent one additional day inside the studio, shooting the objects themselves. The layers are copious, but gone are images of smoke stacks with fumes billowing into the sky. There is no mention of the word “nuclear,” only the image of a light switch under construction on ruddy Georgia soil. The end result is clean and friendly.

Like the Georgia Power account, many of Fulton’s major campaigns come from outside Savannah, as expected when he first moved here five or six years ago. “We came here having no expectation for local clients, only national, international,” he says. He relocated with business partner Eric Prine from Denver, Colorado, where they photographed hospitality projects for the “superrich,” while traveling the world. “Eric wanted a cool place to live,” Fulton says. After relocating, they met Jeremiah Hull and formed Attic Fire Photography. They knew Savannah wasn’t fully equipped to meet the demands of a major advertising production studio, but still they followed their creative gut.

Attic Fire continues to shoot all over the world, and the guys have interviewed with the New York Times and MSNBC, but all the while, Fulton continues to develop his personal work. He has five times been included in the prestigious Communication Arts. “Less than two percent of entries are selected from approximately 14K submissions received each year from all over the world,” he says. “This year Communication Arts selected an image shot for South magazine.”

BEHIND THE SCENES

Fulton works with a rep, Blake Pearson with Visu Arts out of Miami. Interested in both the Attic Fire and John Fulton brands, Pearson travels the country shopping both portfolios. “He’s been getting tons of interest,” Futon says of his incoming work. “Most [projects] have been national. These jobs are such a big step and I’ve been working for a while to get to this point.”

Fulton also works closely with his producer, Emily Harrell of Stir Productions. “She’s produced all of my advertising projects to date and is already playing a key role in making Savannah a legitimate location to handle an advertising production,” Fulton says. Meddin Studios has become another invaluable Savannah resource, thanks to their “super high-end production capabilities,” says Fulton. “I fully expect to do the whole production here now and, of course, everyone wants to be in Savannah. They all want to come to Savannah—they’re looking for a getaway.” Previously, special equipment wasn’t available for use in Savannah and would have to be shipped in from other cities. “There’s starting to be a community that can operate on a level that an advertising project needs to be at,” Fulton says. Though the romance and relaxed Savannah atmosphere may not allude to the setting of a fast-paced, international advertising campaign, appearances are often deceiving. Johnfultonphotography.com.

At 9:30 in the morning in Midtown, it’s already hot enough to make the trees wilt. The sentient beings who aren’t scurrying from air-conditioned cars to climate-controlled buildings appear to be moving in slow motion. Even the usually-industrious squirrels laze torpidly in the shade.

Yet I am strolling through the doors of Bikram Yoga Savannah in Habersham Village, psyching myself up to get even hotter. In fact, when I come back outside, it’s going to feel downright comfortable compared to where I spent the last 90 minutes.

I once thought yoga class was gentle and kind, a peaceful place where they piped in Indian flute music and everyone smiled like the Mona Lisa. That was before I found Bikram. Named for its charismatic founder, Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury of India, this extremely physical form of yoga consists of 26 challenging postures practiced in a room that’s kept at a sizzling 105 degrees. Unlike other yoga classes I’ve attended, here the instructor shouts things like “Lock your knees! Lock your knees!” the entire time, people are sweating all around you and rather than peaceful feelings, what often arises is something more akin to murderous rage.

“Bikram calls it the ‘torture chamber,’” laughs Bikram Yoga Savannah owner/director Leslie Tucker Carey. “He also says the body is like steel — you have to get it hot to bend and reshape it.”

The method to such madness is this: The heat helps warms the muscles, which allows the body to go deeper into the Hatha postures, which in turn help the body correct its misalignments and burn unnecessary weight. Using a principle called the “tourniquet effect” that occurs when certain muscle groups are compressed, Bikram yoga has a positive effect on the body’s metabolic, circulatory and endocrine systems by stimulating blood flow to tissues and internal organs. It also helps the body flush out toxins, because if you’re in a room that hot for that long, you’re going to sweat more than a BP exec stranded on a Gulf Coast beach.

And by golly, it works. Bikram’s website overflows with testimonials from people all over the world for whom the practice has helped every condition from back pain to heart disease to tinnitus to PMS. Carey’s studio opened in March to instant popularity and the number of disciples swearing that it’s helping them improve their health, build strength and lose weight grows by the week.

Cynthia Barnes, a mediator and paralegal in Savannah, recently completed sixty classes in as many days, and has been amazed in the changes in her body — and mind. “I was ready for a change in my life, so I jumped right into the sixty challenge,” she says. “At first, I thought I’d never make it through a class, sweating like that! But within a few classes, I got used to the heat more, my flexibility improved and I got stronger really fast. I’ve lost nine inches off my hips, but the biggest change is how centered and calm I feel in my daily life.”

Carey says this type of yoga tends to attract “Type-A” personalities, or simply people who want to challenge themselves. Originally from Alabama, Carey came to Bikram yoga six years ago after attending a class in Colorado with a friend who’d become an enthusiastic follower. “I was miserable! I hated her for bringing me. Then about an hour after I left, I realized I felt amazing.”

A former marathon runner, she began practicing Bikram in the hopes it would heal her aching knees and chronic low back pain and was so impressed with the benefits that she decided to take Bikram’s intense nine-week teacher training in Hawaii. She had lived in Savannah while earning her Masters’ in Historic Preservation at SCAD, and after a stint in Washington, DC at the National Trust, she and her husband, Daniel, returned to town a year and half ago when he took the helm as director of the Historic Savannah Foundation. “I knew the Southeast was lacking in studios and I knew the folks in Savannah would love it — and that they needed it.”

Clearly, selling hot yoga to Savannahians is a calculated risk. What kind of yahoo steps outside into 95% humidity and wants to sweat more? Apparently, plenty of us. Usually there’s ten to twenty people in class, women and men, old and young, fit and fat and everyone in between.

“I’ve always been drawn to yoga and its philosophy but this is my first experience in a class setting,” says Lizzie Summerell, who works in special education in Chatham County public schools. “I feel like I’m cleaning myself from the inside out, mentally and physically. I plan to do this for the rest of my life.”

As for me, I must disclaim here that I’m hooked on Bikram as well. After three months of going three times a week, I’ve experienced more relief from a decade-old hip injury than all the physical therapy, chiropractors, surgery and massage combined. My sleep has improved. Also, my husband says I look smokin’ in a bikini, which even the most evolved woman over 35 loves to hear. So even though sometimes during class I would like to run out of the room screaming and afterwards my face is purple for an hour, I keep on going back.

“Students always ask me ‘Does it get any easier?’” muses Carey. “Your body will acclimate to the heat after about ten classes, but this was designed to be hard. Bikram says you have to go through hell to get to heaven. So you suffer in here for ninety minutes so you don’t have to suffer for ninety years!”

A few things to note before you try Bikram Yoga: Other studios may offer “hot yoga” classes, but it’s only Bikram if it’s taught by a certified instructor. Also, try not to wear lotions to class – you get slick! And always, always, always, drink a ton of water before and after class. See you there!

Bikram Yoga Savannah offers classes seven days a week at 4505 Habersham Street, Savannah.

Jepson Center for the Arts

Birds of Flight

This installation by Matt Hebermehl features a series of painted, wooden birds suspended from the museum’s atrium ceiling. The opening reception is on September 23 and the show runs until March. 207 W. York Street, 912.790.8800, Telfair.org.

Seed Eco Lounge

Untitled

A new series of mixed media by Rachel Raab is on display starting August 2 until September 30. There will be an opening reception on August 3 at 5 pm. Raab will curate future exhibits at Seed. 39 Montgomery Street, 912.349.5100, Seedecolounge.com.

S.P.A.C.E. Gallery

Portrait Paintings by Arthur Milton

Featuring more than 20 years of portraiture, Arthur Milton’s subjects range from pop culture celebrities to presidential families. There will be an opening reception on August 6 at 5 pm. The exhibit will run until September 3. 9 W. Henry Street, 912.651.6783, savannahga.gov/arts.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

Arrivals and Departures

On display in the “departing flights” area throughout September, this collaborative show celebrates the 90^th anniversary of the Savannah Art Association. There will be an opening reception on September 10 at 1 pm. 400 Airways Avenue, 912.964.0514, savannahairport.com.

The Co-Lab Gallery

Prima Donna

Back from supporting Green Day on their world tour, California band Prima Donna will play at the Co-Lab Monday, August 2. In addition to the live music, new works by hip Savannah artists will be displayed during the show. 631 E. Broad Street, thecolabstudios.com.

For more great arts events, check out the August/September issue out now!

In an attempt to put my beachside daydreams at bay, I drove down to Myrtle Beach, ready for any and everything the South Carolina city had to offer. What I found was a sunny spot that far exceeded my expectations. A bit touristy at times yes, but it was many other things too. I found there’s a secret side to the town where locals run away from the crowds and chain restaurants, opting for the underground shopping spots and miles and miles of pristine coastline. Following whatever whim arose, I fluctuated between both worlds: the underground and the mainstream, leaving me satisfied and largely impressed.

Lay of the Land

Just a little over four hours away, this buzzing beach community is a straight shot from Savannah. Take I-17 north then cruise northeast for a fairly easy drive. But, be prepared for slow traffic once you get about 40 miles from Myrtle Beach; the two lane roads are packed with tourists all summer.

Sitting amid the 60 miles of beaches that make up the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach has been a popular place to live and to visit since the early 1900s. The birthplace of Sports Illustrated Magazine, the beach is now home to approximately 22,759 people.

Murrells Inlet

Noted by locals as the place to go for its laidback bars and waterfront entertainment, the strip is the indie hang out for ages 25 and up.

Surfside Beach

Grab your long board and some beach towels for this popular place to surf and to relax amid the waves. It’s only 10 miles from Myrtle Beach. The break from the bustle and traffic makes this friendly locale worth looking into.

Pawley’s Island

Just 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach, Pawley’s Island is host to a plethora of kitschy boutiques and serene waterfront. It’s perfect for families and for those seeking a quiet retreat for shopping and lounging.

Where to Stay:

For a quaint place to kick up your heels, take a rest at Serendipity Inn on Myrtle Beach. A three-minute walk from the shore, this Spanish-influenced inn has a prime location at surprisingly low rates ($89 for a single room in peak season). A swimming pool and a scrumptious home-cooked breakfast (which was breakfast casserole, fresh fruit, coffee cake and muffins when I stayed) with owners Phill and Kay Mullins give this beachy hideaway a romantic-yet-relaxed aura.

A higher end option right on the beach is The Breakers Resort Myrtle Beach. Indulge in a Passion to Thailand treatment at the recently constructed Cinzia Spa after a long day in the sun or have the resort book you a tee time at one of the dozen or so award-winning golf courses in the area. Then lounge by the pool or the beach, just a few feet away from your ocean-view room. Kids can let their imaginations run wild at the Pirate Ship on site.

If you’re drawn to golf and shopping as much as you are the beach, dine and slumber in a condo or in a villa at Barefoot Resort and Golf. Located in North Myrtle Beach on Barefoot Landing, you’re just a short walk away from four golf courses, House of Blues Myrtle Beach and over 150 shops. Grab a few friends and rent a four-bedroom luxury villa right beside the water. Prices start at $199- when you divide it by eight it’s a real steal!

To read more about Myrtle Beach check out South Magazine’s August September Issue!

Check out the August/September issue out now to read all about it!

Essi’s Dance Studio

Since 1975 Ebi Ilami has been teaching Savannah the elegant technique of ballroom dancing, cultivating a large stake in the area’s professional ballroom community. 912.927.2920   www.essisdancestudio.com

Synergistic Bodies

Belly dance like the stars. Here the motto is, “Getting fit while having fun.” 912.660.7300

The Savannah Dance Club

Eat and West Coast Swing, Tango, Cha Cha, Shag, and Bop. 912.398.8784

Abeni Cultural Arts and Performing Dance Studio

March to the beat of a different drum. Abeni specializes in African and modern techniques and choreography. 912.272.2797

Salsa Savannah at Tantra Lounge

Grab a partner and groove to Latin beats with Salsa Savannah at Tantra Lounge. Lessons are on Tuesdays. 912.231.0888

In homage to iconic American rock ‘n’ roll artists, this season’s hottest swimwear features designs that are a little more edgy than ruffles and polka dots. Longtime Savannah resident Nicole Hanriot is now the creative mind behind Tavik’s Summer 2010 collection, which includes Poison-inspired faded faux denim swimsuits and “Red, White and Crue,” a collection of suits inspired by none other than Motley Crue.

Do your Southern roots have any influence over your personal and design styles?

Yeah, definitely. I was born in Texas and lived in Georgia for half my life, so I think that all of that influences my designs and prints, which is nice because a lot of designers out here grew up in Southern California.

How is West Coast style different from East Coast style?

West Coast style is a little more fashion-forward. I’ve seen a lot of trends start here and make their way over to the East Coast. I definitely like both of the different styles.

What drew you into the world of fashion?

I went to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in L.A. I studied product development there, and my final project was on swimwear. I got assigned to that, and I absolutely loved it. I decided to try out my own line, and I’ve been at Tavik for the past year. And I love it.

What do you love about designing swimwear?

I’ve always loved the beach. Growing up in Savannah, we would go to Hilton Head in the summer and Destin, Florida. I’ve just always been a beach girl and loved living in my bikini in the summer.

Why did you choose to attend FIDM?

I chose FIDM because it’s definitely a West Coast school. There are campuses all over from L.A. to Orange County, and it was just a really fun campus to go to. I went up and lived in L.A. my first year. It was a fun experience straight out of high school.

How did you score internships at Volcom and E! Entertainment?

I worked at Volcom’s flagship store, which was in L.A., and met a lot of the corporate people. I decided to move back down to Orange County where their corporate office was and try to get an internship in sales. And so I did that for about a year. Then for my final year, I got an internship at E! working as a stylist assistant to Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Depandi. My best friend was working there, and she got my in touch with the right people and I got an internship there for about a year.

How did you come to join Tavik?

I approached them last year with a business plan to license their name to a women’s swimwear collection. So I pitched them an idea and now I have a two-year contract with them to do all of their women’s swimwear. I’m looking to expand that into a full women’s clothing collection as well.

What kinds of things are in store for the women’s line?

There will be a lot of knits, T-shirts, leggings, dresses, leather jackets and denim.

What inspired you to incorporate rock ‘n’ roll elements with feminine style into your Summer 2010 swimwear collection?

I wanted to do something a little more edgy because our spring line was more girly. I wanted to do red, white and blue denim. I saw a lot of trends in that, and I thought it would be fun to name all the suits after ’80s hair bands. I thought the suits kind of fit with that.

Did the bands Poison and Motley Crue have a big influence on you growing up?

No, I didn’t really get into that until I was in high school. But I definitely enjoy that music.

What are your biggest inspirations when it comes to designing swimwear?

I get a lot of inspiration from Australian magazines and designers. They’re very fashion forward; they use lots of bright colors and that’s something that I really like to do. I get a lot of inspiration from the leading magazines and the newest trends on the runway. I might incorporate a dress that I like into a swimwear design, or something like that.

Do you have any advice for people looking to break into the world of fashion?

If you have something you really want to do, if you set your mind to it, you can make it happen.