Exclusive: Designer Shoshanna Gruss tells us ...

Shoshanna Gruss

Designer Shoshanna Gruss creates clothing for shaplier women like herself.

Born and raised in Manhatttan, the 33-year-old Gruss graduated from the University of California Los Angeles and began working at a lingerie factory to learn about design, fabric sourcing and construction in preparation for a fashion career.

She launched her debut collection, "Shoshanna," in November 1998 at the age of 23, featuring an attention-getting sexy and feminine sundress, thong and bag three-piece set. She has since expanded her contemporary collection to clothing for every season, including swimsuits.

"I found that there were not any wearable, beautiful clothes out there for someone with my body type," Gruss explains. "I could never find a halter dress or strapless top that offered support for women who usually need to wear a bra - that experience inspired me to create the pieces that make up the core of my collection."

Now a Hollywood favorite, her A-list fans include Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Carmen Electra, Kelly Ripa, Sienna Miller, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Celine Dion, Uma Thurman, Debra Messing, Kristin Davis, Heather Graham, Melissa Joan Hart, Venus Williams, Rachel Weisz, Kristin Chenoweth, Melissa Joan Hart and Tori Spelling.

Gruss' dress, sportswear and swimwear collections are carried in more than 250 department and department and specialty stores including Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, Gotham City in Millburn, Pappagallo in Ocean City, SUR LA PLAGE, INC. in Beach Haven and Jesse James in Hoboken.

Here she talks to us about different swimsuit styles, and which might be best for your body type:

Halter bikini - "Halter tops are great for women who want to enhance their curves. This halter top is banded, which lifts up and in, while securely holding you in place."

Tankini cut - "A tankini cut works best for girls who have a boyish figure. It adds curves by cutting right at the hips to make you look fuller. It also can hide problem areas in the mid-section by covering the middle while showing a bit of skin on the sides to balance out your body and look proportional."

One-piece - "The one-piece bathing suits work wonders for women who want to disguise their mid-section. A paisley pattern hides problem areas, while the V-neck halter top gives the suit a sexy edge. The cut also elongates the leg, making you look long and lean."

 

Bandeau bikini - "Bandeau bikinis are one of my favorite styles. Our bandeaus are constructed with corset-like boning to ensure full support for busty women. The top securely clips in the back, just like a bra would. You'll never have to worry about it falling down.

Halter bandeau - "The halter bandeau is great for women who want to show off their shoulders. The bandeau top with wide straps elongates the neck and is more feminine. This style works best for women with a more petite frame."