BIPOLAR NAKED Where Style is Exposed April Issue
Gene Allen Exposed Trayvon Martin: A Tale of Two Histories
Top 5 Sexiest Beaches in the World
Peyton Manning: A Study in Elegance and 1
Class
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MEET THE FAMILY
LaRae Wilson, an Indiana native who currently resides in Los Angeles, is the creative spirit behind fashion label, Bipolar Gear. Bipolar: having or marked by two mutually repellent forces or diametrically opposed natures or views. Bipolar Gear is the evolving, expression of individuality combining two extremes at the same time. Established in December of 2008, Bipolar Gear Designer LaRae Wilson’s passion for creating 2
groundbreaking colorful and eccentric men’s and women’s wear by creating pieces that make you feel sexy and young. This is a second career for LaRae, who has been in the education field for over 15 years. Inspired by the colors of her students clothing, she began a journey in the everchanging world of fashion. She describes her vision as, “me, my sewing machine, and my imagination”. Fashion is innovation at its finest, it is ever changing
and everlasting, as is this collection. Filled with the wardrobe of a confident woman seeking individuality and uniqueness of expression. LaRae took the mainstream indecisive woman and provided her with the combination of comfort, style, and a fresh look. “Our mission is to provide stylish comfortable clothing, while encouraging dialogue and promoting self- expression”.
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CONTRIBUTORS Jasmine Jones Fashion Photographer
NikĂŠ Lovett Fashion Correspondent
Deon Lucas Fashion Correspondent
Marlin Barnes Editorial Correspondent
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CONTENTS
Features Page 6
Trayvon Martin: A Tale of Two Histories Page 10
Bipolar Pictorial Page 22
Peyton Manning Page 30
Gene Allen Exposed Page 34
Soul Food, Seafood and Pies...OH MY! Page 40
Future of Fashion Page 42
Fashion on the Real Page 48
Top 5 Sexiest Beaches in the World
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Trayvon Martin: A Tale of Two Histories BY Marlin Barnes
As children we are all taught to avoid dialogue with strangers. Our parents understood that in a peaceful, civilized society there too dwells the element of evil and incivility. Every year the story of Adam Walsh, son of former “Americas Most Wanted� host, John Walsh, was played as a reminder to children of the perils of strangers and the benefits of obedience to our parents warnings. I grew up in the 80’s, before the age of video reached full bloom. My children, thanks to the internet, more provocative programming on television and general social evolution are more educated to these perils. They understand murder and kidnapping and predators far greater than I did as a kid through my limited
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lens of the world. This understanding, led Trayvon Martin to flee from what he perceived as an obvious predator. As little kids we were also taught about Emmett Till and Kunta Kenta and Civil Rights. African American parents dutifully expounded on the tragic history of our people in America. They also proclaimed the multiple triumphs of perseverance by King, Wells and DuBois. They also wanted us to find hope and example in the former tragedies. They sought to clarify our situation in the current social landscape and further our resolve to not let this most despicable era of American history repeat itself. However, other parents and communities desired and
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continue to perpetuate those disgusting tragedies and unfounded stigmas onto their children concerning African Americans. They teach them to view the exploitations and inequalities suffered by Blacks in America as “their own fault” and refuse to acknowledge the foul true history of slavery, Jim Crow, judicial manipulation and social malfeasants that has put the African in America at a great disadvantage. They even go so far as to justify any failures in scholastic and financial competition with African Americans as “undeserved pandering by a liberal agenda” or the sole results of affirmative action laws.
unwillingness of white men to justly exist or fairly compete with men of any other races and religion, all the while, justifying any injustice it perpetrates as ‘God’s will” or necessary action due to “imminent threats”.
So we have Trayvon Martin as one of the latest if not the most heralded victim of this American culture of hate. The seventeen year old kid with an age appropriate hoodie sweater upon his person defined as the age old adage of a black thug, by the tiresome racist teachings exhibited by the actions of George Zimmerman. Such history is in its living state a culture, the culture, in which countless Whites are bred and untold Both parent groups have in common one thing: Blacks are bloodied. The history that was clearly the struggles with perception and truth continue. described in the 46 emergency calls Zimmerman made to the Sanford Police So it is to everyone his right to judge the Department over the course of 12 months. All upbringing and social influence on George these conversations labeling alleged perpetrators Zimmerman. He is a self-appointed, as black will exhort swift response because the neighborhood watch leader who saw Trayvon property of the allege victims were white. It is Martin as the epitome of that racial dogma so this racial instigation that Zimmerman exposed elegantly legislated and perpetuated in when he categorized Martin as “appearing to be boardrooms, backrooms and bedrooms. It is that on drugs” and “up to no good”. It is this living racist American history that is at the core of all American culture that, despite official warning American history, taught as a precursor to trials from a police dispatcher and the neighborhood to come by Blacks, yet rarely uttered by many crime watch handbook to not pursue Martin Whites. that drove him away from his vehicle uttering a racist slur to confront and then murder this This education of truth and justice and the child. But more disrespectful is the justification education of prejudice and denial collided on February 26. This fateful collision is the collision of such pre-emptive action Zimmerman claims that is all too prevalent in America. I marvel at as ‘self defense”. Much like the justification of pre-emptive lynching of scores of Blacks in how American history documentaries and American history because they allegedly “raped politicians eagerly exploit the brief history of a white woman” or ‘didn’t know their place”. malice of the German Nazi in relation to the Jewish people, yet all but ignore the long, Zimmerman is not alone in his thinking. In fact egregious history of the evils of their native one could say he is justified. He is a free man to sons. The truth of America is that it is a country this day, justified by a clumsy Florida self – whose history is not predicated on independence defense law that disregarded the unlikely and equality, but of the savagery and
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work by avis
murder of Mr. Martin, progressive and truth possibility of a real threat being validated by a thinking Anglo-Americans have aligned grown man with a loaded gun who instigated an themselves with the justice cause as did their altercation with a teen (heard pleading on mothers and fathers who took Freedom rides in emergency calls for his life) armed with an ice the 60’s and their forefathers who risked life and tea can and a bag of Skittles candy. A law, which limb and wealth to write the Declaration of to date, has allowed over 60 deaths and 40 Independence. They too have donned hoodies injured to go without review. He is justified by in solidarity with an injustice that may not those before him that murdered Black men personal affect them, yet tears at the inner fiber boastfully, yet walked free and he justified by his of their civil humanity and the since of true neighbor and the interpretation of this history of liberty. broad sweeping racial stereotypes that because A new history is to be written in America of a rash of burglars allegedly perpetrated by Blacks, Zimmerman was “fed up and wouldn’t concerning her citizenry. A new history inspired take it anymore”. Until Zimmerman is brought by the heart-felt loss of innocence and the repented apologies for her overt transgressions. to justice, this history of race and denial will The current history must be thoughtfully continue to splinter the trees of truth sprouting explained and plainly criticized for its failings. If across the American landscape. the Truth is not preached and Reconciliation This history of hate will continue to embolden not debated, American’s history of racial hatred groups like the Taliban and New Black Panther will continue to eat away any validity of her Party for theirs is a rightful interpretation of better intentions and further embolden the call America true nature of global prejudices and for her inevitable destruction. interference in the affairs of nations of color throughout the world coupled with the continued institutional racism that leaves American people of color less educated and underrepresented. There will be more 911’s, because there still remains the blood lust of war against countries of color like Iran as it were in Iraq, Somalia and Vietnam being echoed by right wing statesmen seeking election. While white countries like Russia unjustly warring against the Georgians, the Germans against the Polish and Israel against the Palestinians, goes unchecked or supported. Not only is this history an affront to the dignity and security of people of color, but it is a detriment to the true nature and values of most of white America itself. At its core is a humane class of folks. In subsequent days since the
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nette Lepore
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Model Ayla Clothes By: Bipolar Gear
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PEYTON MANNING: A STUDY IN ELEGANCE AND CLASS BY MARLIN BARNES
For thirteen years, Indianapolis Star sports writer, Bob Kravitz, exhorted to the fateful Colts
fans not to take Peyton Manning for granted. Manning, the Southern bred, gentlemen of NFL lineage with the nasal Bayou diction put the city of Indianapolis and its’ sports culture on the global stage. For thirteen years on the field, Manning directed the Colts to eight division titles, two conference titles and a Super Bowl victory on the way to collecting a Super Bowl MVP and a league record four NFL MVP awards. Though nicknamed “Commercial Boy” by longtime friend and former Colts center, Jeff Saturday in relationship to the plethora of endorsements and commercials Manning has appeared in, Manning did most of his talking on the field. And when it came into question of giving a player a 100 million dollar contract, Manning responded in kind with a record breaking 49 touchdown passes, despite sitting out a few fourth quarters and the finally game. In the subsequent years, he led his team to two Super Bowl appearances for one of the smallest marketed teams in all of sports. What goes unnoticed is not just his willingness to take the highest salary as to not marginalize the gains of other players in collective bargaining, but his act of good faith in the
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Colts organization and loyalty to teammates that he also renegotiated those lucrative contracts in an effort to keep and reward team continuity. The popularity of the NFL as the number one viewed sport in America, as well as the record breaking decade of the Indianapolis Colts franchise of the 2000’s, gave the city of Indianapolis billions of untold dollars in global advertisement and recognition culminating in a rare Super Bowl hosted by the cold weathered, mid-size city two months ago. The city responded in kind and many NFL insiders and international sport writers have called it the “best Super Bowl experience ever”. But even the finest of our idols has a tragedy to endure. Those tragedies are not always aligned with the heroic and dangerous arenas in which our idols may fight, campaign or pass his way to victory, but lurk unbeknownst to him in the essence of his gentler nature. Sampson was weakened by his blind love, so Manning too was left wanton by his unwavering loyalty. On March 7 of this year, Colts owner Jim Irsay, a lifelong friend became Manning’s proverbial Delilah, thirsty to sap him of his strength and legacy, while leaving him at his weakest point to be prey to the wicked. But, good guys don’t always finish last whether in the biblical stories or the annuals of life, especially those with laser rocket arms. After two weeks of a free agency the media dubbed the ‘Manning Sweepstakes”, Peyton turned in his horseshoe for a saddle and rode off to a new testament with the Denver Broncos. It doesn’t hurt that this adventure will pay him 95 million of five years. This is a just chapter awaiting the gunslinger from New Orleans. Not so much because of his talent, but because of his character. I have meet Manning on a few occasions. Once, when he asked my then fiancée to dance, once after a game and the other at a downtown
Indianapolis bar, where he bought me a beer, allowed me to chat him up about football and sign my hat. I can testify that the passionate, yet poised demeanor of this man is the real deal. Influenced by a strong upbringing and his southern roots, Manning exemplifies what the world expects of its superstars. Whether it’s his PeyBack foundation for charity, the children’s hospital that bears his name or he and brother, Eli getting a jet full of food and water hastily into their native New Orleans after Katrina, yet before former President Bush could even coordinated relief efforts, Manning is the definition of class and elegance. As, he was forced from his perch atop the Indianapolis Colts roster, he didn’t lament about how he had turned a basketball haven into a football mecca or how the same team that he helped win 10 or more games for an NFL record nine years went 2-14 to secure his departure or even how without him half of America wouldn’t know where Indy was let alone go to a Super Bowl hosted there. No, Peyton Manning hugged Irsay, ensured the Hoosier state that this would always be his home and life work and thanked them for all they had done to enrich his life. If this writer had to sum up his opinion of the transcending value that Peyton Manning has bestowed upon him it would be this: On my screensaver I have a collection of my heroes flash across the screen. They include Malcolm X, Angie Davis, Barack Obama and Barbara Jordan. All are Black- as I am, save one. In the middle of all that royalty and rich American history is one odd figure, which is not odd at all. In that collection of heroes and aspirants is Peyton William Manning.
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“Our slogan is if you look good, then you feel good, if you feel good then you will perform good....” ~Gene Allen Jr.
GENE ALLEN JR. EXPOSED By LaRae Wilson
Walking into the unassuming retail store on 2077 Emerson Avenue in Indianapolis, I didn’t know what to expect. I was pleasantly BLOWN AWAY!! The men’s fashions that Gene Allen Jr., has in his location can rival any boutique on Melrose! THE TIE TABLE....my favorite area of the store looks like a piece of art, during my entire time there I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. I was especially excited to find out that he has plans of expanding and building further on his already existing Fashion
Empire. Gene Allen Jr. was, born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated from Broad Ripple High School and later from Indiana State University. Although Gene Allen is relatively young at the ripe age of 33, the mature sensibility of this business man astounded me. Q) How long have you been in the industry? A) I've been in the fashion industry for the last 11 years
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Q) When did you know that you wanted to be in the fashion industry?
Q) What impact do you want to have in the fashion industry?
A) The main impact that I'd like to contribute is how a nice tailored suit shirt and tie can make A) When I didn't want to do anything, or go you look, and feel. Not all the time does looking anywhere unless I was dressed fashionably good make you feel good but when you look and correct. It changed more when some of my feel good it does give somewhat of self college buddies would where some of my confidence and esteem. However it all starts with clothing when they had a special event and how you look. Our slogan is if you look good, they would where my ties and suits. So I then you feel good, if you feel good then you will started selling clothes from the perspective of perform good, perform good equals productivity, my passion for fashion and more so when I saw productivity equals prosperity it all starts with not only was it a passion but a demand for it. how you look, look inside of yourself. Q) What is your biggest accomplishment in the Q)How will you know that your goals have met? industry? A) Really throughout my community it will be A) Having three locations in Indianapolis In. noticed by people, with more positive media and my own men's neck tie line attention on changes that take place in the day to day. Also when people are getting back to Q)What do you love and dislike about your industry? work and more family activities are being offered A) I love the creative side of the fashion and participated in. industry, Q)What makes you Bipolar? I love the expressions of fashion, and how A) What makes me Bipolar in the fashion fashion can make you feel. What I dislike is perspective is just my innovate creativity to put from the business side and that is merely the things together. The sense of desire and ups and down of the bottom line.
BIPOLAR NAKED April Issue Q)What are you currently working on? A) I am currently working on the redesign for the floor plan of our upcoming new facility in Indy, and launching new ties and the biggest to do is the launch project/party of the new line of Bipolar Gear that has been revealed to cities all around the country. Q) What do you love the most about your new project? A) what I love the most about the new project is: how better I can make something in comparison to what I've been successful with in the past years. It's the branding of name the creativity that belongs to you, and that gives an iconic staple in the industry.
Q)Was your project inspired by anything in particular? A) This project is derived from just the personal ambition to do better. To have progression, and productivity is to have passion at what it is that you do. Q)What do you hope to accomplish in this next coming year? A) What I hope to accomplish in the next year is getting my line of ties in several stores other than our company. To open another store in another state and to make things better within our company now. Consistent growth
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“Do you remember FUDGE Bombs from the ice cream truck?”~Juliana Peterson
Soul food, Seafood and PIES..OH MY!!! By: LaRae Wilson
“Girl, I got a new pie tin. I can make 4 little pies at the same time, It is perfect! “ says Julie Peterson owner of R and J’s Soul Food Restaurant in Downey, CA. “Do you remember FUDGE Bombs from the ice cream truck? Why do my chocolate banana pies taste just like a FUDGE Bomb, so much that that is what I am going to call them. You need to get over here and try it,” says Julie. So I DID!!!!! YUMMY...is all I can say. I ate it with my hands!!!
What puts the soul in soul food? That should be "who," actually, because it's family members who put the soul in soul food, passing recipes from one generation to the next, preserving and perpetuating the virtues of simple goodness in an era when mashed potatoes are, God help us, more likely to come pre-made out of a package or whipped up from reconstituted flakes than sourced from Mother Nature's humble tubers, peeled and cooked and mashed in a process that doesn't take much more time but does take more care and results in a
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Not that I have strong feelings about that. The pure definition of soul food is a personal one, as different to each component of the great American melting pot as they are from each other. For me, it's food of the African American culture, for others Italian or Mexican or Norwegian or Lithuanian or whatever was on the table at suppertime. The de facto soul food, though, is AfricanAmerican -- or Southern, since that's where its roots stretch. It celebrates the ability to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, to transcend hardscrabble farmland and wafer-thin wallets to offer bountiful love and nourishment. While the source of the unofficial official designation is lost to the ages, it likely stems from the fact that, whatever your origins, this one tends to fit comfortably as well, soothing and salving and warming on a chilly day. And all of that fine tradition is celebrated at R and J’s Soul Food. The restaurant is a celebration of California native Juliana Peterson, who put the the “J” in R and J’s Soul Food, an interpretation of her cooking by her staff.
And smothered pork chops ($8.99), the gravy providing an extra shot of substance. And the sides, the mainstay of any soul-food restaurant. Two are included with each entree, and they're pretty generous and also pretty tasty, the black-eyed peas cooked just enough (so they weren't mushy), and a sauteed cabbage are my personal favorites. And rice and gravy, a deft segue for the pork chop. Carefully candied yams, kissed with honey. Collards that were, well, collards. And corn bread that was crumbly-moist All of it served in a strip-center spot, a big open space with an open kitchen in the back. R and J’s has a cozy atmosphere that will make you feel at home (and, improbably, "My Name Is Earl" reruns on a big-screen TV). And a beautiful owner who found herself suddenly propelled from a nearly empty dining room into one with most of its tables filled and who simply sped up to deal with it, never losing her smile and pleasant manner. R and J’s Soul Food isn't perfect, but it's as soulful as it gets.....AND YES THE PIES ARE AMAZING!!!!
8852 Rosecrans Ave Downey, CA 90242 And so we have fried chicken ($9.99), the same price for white or dark, a generous quarter moist 562) 408-2960 http://www.rjseaandsoulfood.com and meaty, its skin golden and crackling.
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Z Loft Boutique manages to set itself apart from the others by creating trends and staying ahead of the pack with variety and quality. Deon Lucas
Future of Fashion By Deon Lucas Southern California has a plethora of fashion retail stores in almost every section of Los Angeles County. Between Melrose, Rodeo Dr., the Fashion District, Ventura Blvd, the Beverly Center, and Sunset Junction, there are plenty of vintage, designer, couture, and original clothing both new and used. However, Z. Loft Boutique manages to set itself apart from the others by
creating trends and staying ahead of the pack with variety and quality. Z. Loft Boutique was founded in 2009 in the Gallery Row district of the newly remodeled Downtown Los Angeles. It is run by a small team of international stylists, designers, and sartorialists whose clientele ranges from celebrity
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actors, models, and choreographers, to the average student and worker. The first thing that I noticed about Z. Loft Boutique was its artistic display and layout. It was visually orgasmic when entering the store because every single place I looked was grabbing my attention, not in an overbearing sense. The walls are decked out with art and paintings made by some of the local artists that partake in the monthly Artwalk festival (every 2nd Thursday, www.downtownartwalk.com). There is the ladies department to the left of the store and the men's section on the right and features items such as clothes, shoes, duffle bags, jewelry, purses, hats, accessories, and perfume/colognes, art, vinyl records, small furniture, house wares, and collectibles. Some of the items that I came across were so unique and rare that I had to inquire from the manager about where the merchandise came from. I was told that the stylists and designers who freelance with Z. Loft bring merchandise in from all over the world; most notably London, Paris, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. Z. Loft Boutique also works on consignment, which allows customers and new designers the opportunity to bring in merchandise to sell. The consignment works on a 50/50 basis, meaning that whatever the agreed upon sale price is, the customer receives 50% and Z. Loft Boutique retains 50%. The price range of items in the store can vary. While some of the basic vintage tees start at just $10, there are rare Christian Dior suitcase trunks going for $2,000.00. One of the best things about Z. Loft Boutique is that they also take appointments outside of normal business hours and there is also a personal stylist on hand to assist with any sartorial conundrums. Best part of all, there is always some sort of sale going on, and sometimes the prices are even negotiable. Whether living in Southern Cali or simply visiting, be sure to pay a visit to Z. Loft Boutique. It will definitely be a
memorable shopping experience and you never know what treasures you may find. Z. Loft Boutique 215 W. 6th St. Downtown Los Angeles, CA. 90014 phone #: 213-627-2476
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“It was a great night filled with surprises!!!” I love fashion and Fashion on the Real was a great experience!” ~LaRae Wilson
FASHION ON THE REAL By LaRae Wilson
Fashion On The Real celebrated fashion, music and dance with a collaboration of designers and performers at LA Fashion Week on Sunday, March 19th. The Fall 2012 Fashion On The Real showcased five up and coming designers, for
performances, and welcomed over 500 buyers, media and celebrities to host venue Busby’s in Los Angeles, CA. Here are a few stand out moments from the evening.
Constantly
Iklektik
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Dhakmani
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Wide
Belts
Bella
Briela
Dazzle
Me
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Bipolar
Gear
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TOP 5 SEXIEST BEACHES IN THE WORLD
Sometimes a beach vacation is about relaxing and getting away from it all. Other times, however, you just need a trip to the ocean to check out the amazing people that inhabit it. When you're fending for a little something exotic, and you're ready to pack up and fly away, there's only thing to do: take a trip to these 5 sexiest beaches in the world.
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Sexiest Beaches in the World #5:
Sexiest Beaches in the World #4:
Santorini, Greece
Manly Beach, Sydney
There's just something about the island of Santorini that makes otherwise normal people go wild. This topless beach might be the most quiet on our list of sexy beaches, but it doesn't lack in intensity. With white and blue buildings all around you, perched on hills, and crystal clear water below, the seclusion and serenity of Santorini is the perfect place for honeymooners, travelers and even locals to lay back, take their tops off and get some rays.
This ultimate sexy beach has a sexy name and lives up to it! Though there are dozens of gorgeous beaches lining coasts of Australia, Manly is popular among the athletic set and high-class vacationers. Besides stunning views, soothing sands and blue waters, you can spy the very best of Sydney taking a weekend break here, as it's just 30 minutes from the city's main ferry terminal.
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Sexiest Beaches in the World #3:
Sexiest Beaches in the World #2:
Venice Beach, California
Ibiza, Spain
Though Ibiza's history is filled with relaxed vacationing by flower children, today it remains If you're looking for a sexy beach destination in one of the biggest party destinations in the the United States, there's no where better than world. You can find clubs on every corner in the Golden State. From daisy duke shorts to Ibiza, particularly around the beaches, with health fans exercising in bathing suits, you'll find scantily clad partygoers everywhere - and all this some of the most attractive Americans across the on a beautiful beach. In the summer months, country all in this one spot. With surfing, particularly July and August, when the heat is at skateboarding and other athletic activities across its highest, you can find attractive young things the boardwalk, beautiful healthy people flock running around in bathing suits, or even topless, here. 'til sunrise in the morning.
Sexiest Beaches in the World #1: Ipanema, Rio There's a reason crooners love to take on the song, 'The Girl from Ipanema.' With bronzed skin, large smiles and dangerous curves, the women and men of Ipanema seem almost other worldly. For some prime peoplewatching, take a spot on the beach; you won't want for anything as the kiosks roll around selling bathing suits, sandwiches and suntan lotion. Try not to stare at the women of all shapes and sizes sporting 'fio dental,' dental floss bikinis, and men wearing the tiniest speedos that make this one of the sexiest beaches in the world.
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