The Cabana Game at the Sowden House

A Norma Kamali swim suit, Lilly Dache vintage turban, Christian Louboutin heels and Tito Pedrini ring.  (Iris Schneider / LAT)

This summer, it’s all about shapely coverage, a style that suits a golden age - and a classic backdrop, L.A.’s landmark Sowden House. From left, a black-and-white Gottex swimsuit with boy-cut legs, with Pedro Garcia sandals, Betsey Johnson sunglasses. Stella McCartney’s suit with 1920s-style bloomers and bustier top, worn with Ferragamo wedges and a Tito Pedrini ring. Pool Swimwear’s suit with a belt by M by Madonna for H&M, with Sergio Rossi heels and Chanel bracelets. All other jewelry is vintage, from The Way We Wore.  (Kirk McKoy / LAT)

A structured polka dot two-piece suit by Betsey Johnson. Paul Smith sunglasses and a Head Covers floral bathing cap finish the retro look.  (Kirk McKoy / LAT)

Chanel’s boucle knit and a vintage Adolfo turban.  (Kirk McKoy / LAT)

Behind the Scenes: Vintage Swim
The landmark Sowden House, built by Lloyd Wright in 1926, was the scenic backdrop for our vintage swimwear shoot, adding even more glamour to retro suits and turbans. Though the week had been gloomy, the cast and crew lucked out that morning, with beautiful skies and warm sun over the Los Feliz location. Models got right into the feeling of the era, basking poolside, Hollywood starlet style.

Hair stylist Jeremy Clark hits the hair with a curling iron and hot rollers to give model Ana Bilic the perfect ’40s coif. Clark used Bedhead’s Hardhead hairspray to set and hold the hair, Bedhead’s Hairstick wax to shape and piece out the hair and, finally, Head Rush Shine Spray to finish. Given all the product, the hair looked remarkably flowing.  (Iris Schneider / LAT)

Breakfast of champions: In between lipstick applications, models Nazri Segaro and Chelsea Freeborn grab bites of breakfast in the Sowden House kitchen.  (Iris Schneider / LAT)

Double duty: Model Blake Towsley helps out behind the scenes by blowing up the inflatable pool toys for the shoot.  (Iris Schneider / LAT)

It’s all in the details: Stylist Melissa Magsaysay, right, removes model Nazri Segaro’s earrings — the perfect curls around her face and the pleats in the turban made the earrings one detail too many. To get a perfect California glow, makeup artist Annie Ing applies Banana Boat SPF 4 spray-on tanning oilto Segaro’s body.  (Iris Schneider / LAT)

Photographer Kirk McKoy discusses the shot at the fabulous front entrance of the Sowden House. Nazri Segaro is wearing a metallic Omo Norma Kamali suit and a vintage Lilly Dache turban.  (Iris Schneider / LAT)

Accessory central: Headgear is essential for the look. Front three rows: turbans and caps by Headcovers. Back left: jewel-tone satin tubans by Prada.  (Iris Schneider / LAT)

You can never have enough summer heels.  (Iris Schneider / LAT)

Nazri Segaro’s hair is set with bendable hot rollers for curls with that retro bounce.  (Iris Schneider / LAT)

Break time: Kirk McKoy settles into the master bath.  (Iris Schneider / LAT)

A strapless Gottex suit shaped like a mini tube dress. With a Prada turban and Chanel bracelets, and vintage jewelry.  (Kirk McKoy / LAT)

A textured black Anne Cole suit with a slight skirt effect at the hem. With Chanel flats and turban by Madonna for H&M, and vintage jewelry.  (Kirk McKoy / LAT)

Model Chelsea Freeborn in vintage earrings and Chanel bangles.  (Kirk McKoy / LAT)

To-die-for Jimmy Choos.  (Kirk McKoy / LAT)

A sweet bandeau one-piece with boy-cut legs. Shoes by Christian Louboutin.  (Kirk McKoy / LAT)