Miami Swim Week is known for spotlighting the latest in resort and swimwear, but this season’s most notable trends extended beyond color palettes and silhouettes. In this piece, broadcast producer and freelance writer Deborah Gordon examines how sustainability, wellness, philanthropy, and global collaboration emerged as defining themes of the week, shaping conversations both on and off the runway.
HartiSWIM Creative Director Tessa Hartmann with models backstage after their show. Credit: Daria Valiguras
Every year Miami Swim Week showcases the hottest looks and trends in resort and swimwear and this year's edition did not disappoint with 5 jam-packed days of summertime silhouettes, activations, events and parties to satisfy every aficionado. Plus, unlike most fashion weeks, many of these exciting experiences and shows are open to the public, which makes for a very busy time in Miami. The Week is also a great revenue generator with visitors coming from near and far to find out what's new, what's happening and what's trending in the industry.
Each season there are many swimwear trends that stand out like color and texture, for instance this year handmade and painted styles proved popular, but the running trends that seemed to permeate throughout the shows and events is caring: Caring not only that the looks were appealing and presented in a fun and theatrical way, but also caring about the environment through sustainable swimwear; caring about wellness for the skin and body through elevated lounges that not only pampered, but educated about sunscreen protection and health; and most importantly, caring about giving back. Each of the three major Miami Swim Week producers hold philanthropic events to raise money for charity.
In addition, there was a caring element about Swim Week's role and niche in the world. In addition to the Latin American countries that are often represented at Miami Swim Week, this year marked an unprecedented number of European participants, from British models, to designers, to DJ's. Even well known Scottish singer Tallia Storm hosted her mother's HartiSWIM show. Plus, for the first time ITA, the renowned Italian agency, hosted their own runway show, which was one of the most eagerly anticipated. And later this month, Miami Swim Week The Shows will take its show on the road for the first time in collaboration with Ibiza Swim Week.
The Italian Riviera Meets Miami
The first-time collaboration between the Italian Trade Agency ITA and Miami Swim Week brought forth "The Italian Riviera Meets Miami', a collective of 23 different designers showing the best of Italian culture and swimwear. The stunning show opened with lifelike video images of sparkly moving blue waters that served as a gorgeous backdrop for a duo dancing beautifully to a song about Portofino and setting the tone. What followed was a Swim Week highlight: exquisite designs derived from beautiful materials worn by both men and women, vibrantly colored swimsuits alongside flowy caftans and sets. Garments you'd want to wear in Cinque Terre, a Miami playa or anywhere in between.
After the show we spoke with Alessio Nanni, the Head of ITA's Fashion & Beauty Division, who shared his excitement about the collaboration and its importance in the swimwear landscape. "Miami Swim Week is the epicenter of the resort and swimwear industry, and we bring all the designers here and to the Cabana Show to increase visibility and do business with the American market," said Nanni.
"When we worked with our stylist on image and branding choices, we wanted to differentiate because our heritage is a little bit different," said Nanni. "Like I said in my runway opening speech, Italian elegance and the vibrant energy of Florida, is the perfect combination for me."
Model walks the Italian Riviera Show runway.
Sustainable Swimwear
Though there was no big color that stood out more than in prior years, the emphasis on hand painting was clearly something that was vibrant and fresh and gave designers like HartiSWIM an unmistakable, signature look. This sustainable British brand that prides itself in ocean conservation awareness, transforms original artwork by Sascha "Harti" Hartmann into wearable art.
Another trend that's in keeping with the industry's eco-conscious sensibility is the prevalence of handmade swimwear that also lends itself to being extremely unique. Plus, being made in small batches using recycled materials contributes to a consistently sustainable and eco-friendly vibe.
Agua Bendita, one of the major brands in the handmade swimwear space, added a new twist during Swim Week by setting up a swim cart (think food truck) in the middle of Collins Ave., and handing out free swimwear to an excited crowd.
Models backstage at HartiSWIM show. Credit: Daria Valiguras
Skin Care and Self Care
Swimwear and wellness is becoming so integrated, and it makes so much sense. Who among us hasn't automatically felt calmer, better, dare I say more "well" after being on a beach, cruise, or just having walked along Miami wearing beautiful, silky lounge/swimwear. And, the industry has thoroughly embraced it by offering myriad wellness components during Swim Week,
including saunas, hot, cold and infrared therapies.
Miami Swim Week The Shows offered daily yoga, meditation and Pilates; a Longevity Lounge at The Moore in the Design District, and a Nobu beauty & wellness lounge. Attention was also paid to the type of food that was available around the activations. GrubHub hosted a station and could have offered any type of easy fried finger foods, but they chose to serve healthy sushi and sashimi dishes by nami nori including spicy tuna, yellowtail with scallion, and salmon & avocado, that were not only delicious but also healthy, and in keeping with how we want to eat in the summer.
Presenting sponsor Neutrogena hosted a lounge which not only offered opportunities for respite, relaxation and free sunscreen, but also hosted an educational Q&A with skin care experts who highlighted the synergy between swimwear and skin care and stressed the importance of protecting your skin in the sun when wearing all the fabulous styles of the season.
"Our motto has always been that the best sunscreen is the one that you want to wear every day," said Neutrogena's Jenni Évora. "Sunscreen is important, not only for the face, but for your entire body and we have a wealth of products within our portfolio that have a variety of SPF levels, a variety of formats."
Neutrogena experts discussing skin health; Some of the products given out at lounge; Tallia Storm in the Neutrogena Lounge wearing Harti Swim with designer Tessa Hartmann.
Philanthropy
Miami Swim Week The Shows' philanthropic night featured the designs of Ema Savahl and benefited The Little Lighthouse Foundation, which supports Miami families and children in need. Some of the kids actually walked in the show alongside seasoned models, which enhanced the special evening.
Paraiso Miami Swim Week created the Swimwear Icons Hall Of Fame (SIHOF) awards to honor influential industry figures, and raise funds for skin cancer research, and Art Hearts Fashion regularly supports myriad causes, and will host a show in support of cancer research later this year.
Designer Ema Savahl (center) and models at benefit fashion show.
Takeaway
Typical trends come and go but some of the innovative ideas brought to this season's Swim Week runways seem to be here to stay. Uniquely beautiful and sustainable swimwear, mindfulness about health & sun-related skincare, and caring about our environment and other people, should never go out of style.
