Markus Bell unveils prototype of convertible bikini

Bell, a former medical doctor and self-taught fashion designer, has filed patents for the Hawaikini in all countries in the European Union (patent granted) and in the United States (patent pending).

He is seeking investors to fund the production and distribution of the unique garment which he will market to women and teenagers who want to make a fashion-forward statement on the beach, at the resort, on board a cruise ship, or other places where women might need to make the switch from beachwear without being inconvenienced.

The snap-on spandex apron and halter straps transform the simple swimsuit top into a fashion piece that can be worn on the street, in restaurants, and other places where a swimsuit alone is restricted or not appropriate.

“When fully assembled, the Hawaikini top gives a little more coverage than a regular bikini, and can be worn with any summer pants or a skirt as an interesting halter-style top,” said Bell, a self-educated designer of women’s wear.

“The Hawaikini allows wearers to make a quick change after leaving the pool or beach by adding the apron that covers the mid-section, yet still retains a relaxed, resort wear style.” His target market is women ages 18-45.

Bell’s journey into fashion is far from typical. He holds a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Heidelberg and earned a medical degree from Lomonosov Moscow State University. It was while he was in medical school that he became interested in fashion design after wandering into a women’s fashion boutique, which awakened his creative side.

He studied medicine by day, visited boutiques on the weekends, and, in his words, “sketched feverishly in the evenings.” Hundreds of sketches of women’s fashions over the next few years followed; in 2010 he left medicine and founded his Markus Bell label, which makes and sells dresses in Germany.

Markus Bell