Tastemaker: Alexis Honce

It’s bikini season! While that sounds like a threat to some of us who haven’t been to the gym in months, Toronto-based stylist Alexis Honce is here to help. When she’s not styling magazine editorials, outfitting celebrities, or filming TV fashion segments this summer, Honce will be helping women across the country find the perfect bathing suit for their body type in a special partnership with Kellogg’s Special K. We talked to Honce about her best tips for picking swimwear to suit different body types, her favourite swimwear brands this season, and her favourite places in Toronto to take in some rays…

Tell us a bit about yourself. What should people know?
I am a fashion stylist and expert based in Toronto. I love the city and take in as much of the activities that I can. I also have a pup named Mufasa who is my sidekick around town. I style magazine editorials, celebrities, and TV fashion segments as part of my job and I am very excited that I partnered with Kellogg’s Special K this summer to bring my style tips to women across the country on finding the perfect bathing suit for your body type. One of the best parts of my jobs is when I get to work with real women of all shapes and sizes and help them find their own unique style.

What are some the best ways a woman with a curvy figure look her sexiest during swimsuit season?
Curvy women look great in flattering one-piece bathing suits. Keep the neckline open with a plunging V neckline and look for styles that have support. An underwire and molded cups help give “the girls” support but also slim the torso and define the waist making you appear slimmer.

What’s your advice for women with smaller chests who wish to look a bit curvier in a swimsuit?
The goal when picking a swimsuit for women with smaller chests is to find bathing suits that add volume to the chest area with ruffles or padding. Anything to help “the girls” look a little bigger and balance the hips. I recommend a 2-piece bathing suit so you can get the right fit on the top and bottom. Also, play with prints and bright colors on the top while keeping the solid darker colors on the bottom. This will draw the eye up and enhance the bust.

What are some of your favourite swimwear labels and why?
I love Miracle Suit. It has Lycra in the suit and helps shape your body and enhance your curves. They come in a multitude of colours and cuts so I know everyone can find one that they love. I always buy these for my clients and for TV segments.

What are some of the summer 2014 swimsuit trends you’re currently obsessed with?
I love that one-piece bathing suits are back! Also mixing and matching is currently the “it” thing to do on the beach or by the pool. If you wear a two-piece don’t buy a matching suit! Have fun shopping and buy a few different tops and bottoms that you can pair together.

Any particular swimsuit you know you’ll rock the most this season and why?
I love a new brand called Nomad of the Sun. It’s a Canadian company, which is great, and the bathing suits are gorgeous. The designer hand beads some pieces so if you love having a unique swimsuit this is your go-to.

Where are your favourite spots to rock a swimsuit in Toronto?
The Thompson rooftop pool is gorgeous in the summer. Also, I like to head to the island and lay on the beaches there. You feel like you get away from the city and its only a short ferry ride away.

And what about on vacation? Where do you go when you need to find bikini season elsewhere?
Last year I went to Puerto Rico and this year I am heading to Colombia and the Almalfi Coast. Both places have amazing swim and surf spots so I am going to purchase a few more bikinis for my trips over the summer.

What products are always in your beauty bag?
I love Kiehl’s face wash, Marc Anthony’s Moroccan Oil hairspray, and MAC’s Ruby Woo lipstick. I use all of these products pretty much every day and they are my beauty trademark.

Let’s get social for a mo’. How can people stay up-to-date with your busy life?
I update Instagram daily and Twitter. You can also keep up to date with my blog at alexishonce.com.