Galactic Glamor with Lisa Burke

They said it plainly: "I love being in Miami and I love the American people. The American people are very warm, open hearted and fun. This year…" — and Premier Guide Miami was in the room when it happened.

Australia-based designer Lisa Burke's love for surf and the ocean led her to an encounter with whales which prompted her cause to do her part to ensure the preservation of whales. She combined all of those passions and created the Lisa Blue Swimwear line. She is slated to debut her swimwear collection at the prestigious Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 in Miami Beach. Premier Guide Media's Judith Wallace chatted with her to find out about her show and the work that she is doing to help save the whales.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: What is the Lisa Blue story?

LISA BURKE: The company started several years ago. I was in Tonga to swim with the hump back whales. At the time I was with my son — now eighteen — we did this together. During that time I came face to face with a mother whale and a baby whale. The baby whale came so close to my face as if she was going to kiss me, I had to move backwards so that I would not get hit in the face. That was just amazing. This incredible overwhelming feeling of the love coming from connecting with the whales — in that moment I burst into tears in the water. Right there I made a promise to the baby whale that I would do what I could to help save them and in doing so help to preserve our environment. Because I was a keen surfer I was always in bikinis and thinking about bikini designs. Being out on the surf I saw that there was a lack of glamorous bikinis out there, they were more sporty. So I combined my passions for whales, bikini fashion and created Lisa Blue. I also believe that fashion is a great way to raise funds and spread the message that we need to preserve our wildlife including the whales. I connected with a whale dreamer from an aboriginal whale tribe and one of his relatives is an artist who is also from the whale tribe. So I have collaborated with her and used her paintings to create three different prints which is really special to me.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: This is your first solo fashion show in Miami Swim week? How much does this mean to you?

LISA BURKE: I am very excited. I think the Mercedes Benz Swim Week is such a fantastic way to show the swimwear. I have admired the show for many years and dreamed of being able to do it. So it is really a dream come true and I love being in Miami and I love the American people. I find you people very warm and open hearted and fun.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Have you been involved with Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim prior to hosting your own fashion show?

LISA BURKE: Yes, last year I was in the group show. I was one of six designers who were part of a group.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: What are some of the designs people should expect to see in your fashion show?

LISA BURKE: This year the Lisa Blue collection encompasses such a wide array of very unique stories and they cater to a wide selection of personalities. It ranges from our signature indigenous inspired prints to really fashion forward designs. The Galactic Warrior and the Galactic Princess both stories are very edgy and elegant and they add a new dimension to Lisa Blue. I have also used metallic petals of gold and silver in the Galactic Princess and little metallic studs in the Galactic Warrior. These stories show the wide focus of Lisa Blue. We also got these stylish fun pieces that not only can be worn as swimsuits but looks like it can be worn with shorts or jeans for example. Due to popular demand I have re-introduced the centuries old art paint of the Great Masters so you will see painting on the swimwear. The paintings are from the romantic era that are classic and stunning and looks great on the swim wear.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: How would you describe your designing style?

LISA BURKE: One of them is the spiritual side which comes through me being a whale activist as well as the indigenous prints. You can describe that as the mother earth side of me. There is also a very glamorous side to me and that is exemplified in the Galactic stories that will be shown in my swim show. I like to be very edgy, a little rebellious and a little daring at times. Having said that this does not reflect all the pieces you will find in my collection. As a designer I want everybody to be happy. There are also quite a few pieces that are conservative and cover up more. And then we got one where you would wear only if you want to be looked at.

Lisa Blue's swimwear: www.lisablue.com.au. In her support to the whale and the dolphins, Lisa Burke donated 25% of the net profit of her swimwear (Lisa Blue) to the Australian Whale Conservation Society (AWCS). In addition 100% of the proceeds of her newest bracelet collection will be donated to the Australian Whale Conservation Society (AWCS) as well.

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