Miami Swim Week, the largest swimwear fashion week in the world, took place from June 8th to 11th this year. The event, which started back in 1982 as the Swim Show for wholesale buyers of swim and resort wear, has grown into a vibrant fashion community week with various production companies presenting fashion shows and trade shows for the swim and resort wear apparel industry.
This year, Miami Swim Week saw some notable celebrity models gracing the runways. Katharina Mazepa, known for her appearance on “The Real Housewives of Miami,” walked for Chloe Rose Swim, while Jennifer Terry, a model from the Kim Kardashian Skims campaign, also strutted her stuff for Chloe Rose Swim.
One of the key figures at Miami Swim Week was producer Celia Evans, who has been the only black female event producer at the event for 13 years. Throughout her career, Evans has worked with renowned brands such as Roberto Cavalli, Forever 21, Lacoste, and Sean John. She has also been instrumental in promoting inclusivity and diversity within the fashion industry, organizing the first Trans Swim Fashion Show in 2019 and the first fully plus-size show. Additionally, she has championed sustainability by featuring eco-friendly collections on the runway.
Another groundbreaking moment at Miami Swim Week was the debut of the first Adaptive Fashion Swim Show. Keisha Grieves, diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, showcased her collection of adaptive clothing that aims to make getting dressed more accessible for people with disabilities. This innovative garment has gained recognition and was featured on the Today Show and Forbes.
Sustainability also took center stage at the event, with brands like Beau Swim presenting their collection made from ECONYL, a fabric created from ocean waste and plastic water bottles. They also pledged to donate a portion of their sales to the ROLE Foundation, an organization educating businesses on sustainability. Another brand, Origin Of Oceans, committed to donating to The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization dedicated to removing plastic from the world’s oceans.
In terms of male designers in the swimwear industry, Vasaro from Los Angeles showcased his patented swimwear designs, while VEVE Swim from Las Vegas targeted a college-aged female demographic.
Among the featured designers was Keva J, an African American/Jamaican designer known for her tropical looks. Keva J has styled celebrities such as the Real Housewives of Atlanta and musical artists like Cardi B.
A notable battle at Miami Swim Week was the “Battle of The Tape” between two body tape performers: Andrei Stamate, a former student of the Black Tape Project. Both artists competed to dominate this unique style of performance art.
Celia Evans, a prominent figure in Miami Swim Week, explained that the event was moved to June this year to align with the schedules of other fashion organizations, such as Paraiso and Ocean Drive Magazine. The new June dates have been recognized by Fashion Group International, CFDA, Business of Fashion, and Women’s Wear Daily Magazine.
Miami Swim Week continues to grow and evolve, becoming more decentralized since IMG and Mercedes Benz ended their partnership in 2015. As it enters its next phase, Miami Swim Week remains a dynamic platform for the swim and resort wear industry to showcase their creativity and innovation.