Contributing Editor Elizabeth Thompson also blogs at The Imperfect Parent.

It's bikinis up, as another fashion week is well underway and some of the hottest summer trends in swimwear are being discovered totally...down-undah!

But -- like me -- did you ever wonder what rocket scientist invented the ever-restrictive and over-revealing bikini?

Actually, it didn't take a rocket scientist t'all -- a French auto engineer, Louis Réard, who was running his mother's lingerie business, named his new two-piece swimsuit for the test site of the atom bomb (the Bikini Islands) in 1946.

Australian Fashion Week -- which was founded in 1996 and claims credit for putting labels like Sass & Bide and Collette Dinnigan -- runs April 26 thru April 30.

And one of the Aussie labels MaraJoara (designers include Leesa Fogarty, Andre Bendavit, Fernando Stambowsky and Hamish Stewart) will launch their 2006 Spring/Summer Collection at Mercedes Australia Fashion Week.

According to several press releases:

"MaraJoara is Australia's hottest new swim label and is names after the ancient Marajoara people of the Amazon region of Marajo Island, at the mouth of the Amazon River. Their women wore Tangas - thin triangular concave ceramic pieces. Some experts say that this proves the bikini came from the jungle long ago."

Well -- being that the jungle is sort of...you know...Africa hot -- this makes total sense to me!

But, what if you aren't in...ahem...a position to wear (let alone afford) a designer bikini?

Cue the Catwalk Queen!

Body Boosting Swimwear:

"Beach weather may not be here just yet, but the time when we are expected to bear all is fast approaching. If your body isn't bikini-ready yet then picking your swimwear carefully can help improve your confidence, as can a killer cover-up."

MySwim.Net boasts about the beach/bar-friendly swimdress:

"Flattering empire waist sundress. Complete with seperate panty (fully lined). Comfortable and flattering, this sundress hides flaws and looks great on the beach or at the bar."

Which led me to surf on over to Newport News and their Spring Getaway Sale (save up to 40%) where I found these "jungle" inspired suits:

Sarong Suit -- Sarong two-piece suit with wood bead trim; sarong skirt with adjustable side shirring, attached panty. Bra top with soft cups, adjustable straps, back hook. Nylon with Lycra control. Hand wash. Imported. $29.00

Bamboo Print Tankini -- Tankini in exotic bamboo print, with ring accent at keyhole neck. High-waist bottom with mid-cut leg for moderate coverage. Nylon/spandex; fully lined. Hand wash. Imported.
was $29.00 now $21.00

Cutaway Swimsuit -- Exotic print one-piece swimsuit with dramatic cutaway sides and back. Shirred bust, halter tie neck, back hook. Nylon with the control of Lycra. Hand wash. Imported. $29.00

So, if you're sunning yourself on the sunny beaches of Australia -- or find yourself hanging out in your own backyard -- herein lies but a few of the hottest looking swimwear this summer.

As for the rest -- especially the MaraJoara line -- we'll just have to wait (in other words, as soon as MaraJoara goes live) and see!

[header image via: Let's Trek Austrialia]