Guaranteed sunshine, glorious beaches, breath-taking swimming pools, uber-elegant fashion and beautiful models … does that sound too amazing to be true? Well, I have news for you, amazing is a gross understatement! Arguably the most glamorous designer swimwear and resort wear fashion event on the globe takes place each summer, most befittingly, bang in the centre of the capital of beach culture, Miami Florida. Hotels on the sunset strip and the sands of South Beach turn into glammed-up tented runways where gorgeous models display the most exquisite itsy bitsy bits-of-nothing, elegant kimonos, wraps and other delicious holiday-inspired fashion for a sun-soaked week in July.

Apart from the showcasing of all this design talent, there’s also a generous sprinkling of other supporting events: shopping, wellness and fitness feature hugely on the agenda too. This offers the perfect opportunity for buyers and the trade to meet and mingle with their favourite designers and models, all in a totally blissful series of settings – beachside or poolside! The public also gets their fair share of all the fun and games – the streets are filled with stylishness and retail opportunities in amongst all the hustle and bustle. It goes without saying that there are copious amounts of parties too, most notably the famous Botanical Beach Babes after-party at Hyde Beach at the SLS Hotel South Beach. (Now, unfortunately, I can’t guarantee you a ticket to THAT event!)
This year a whopping 100 plus designers having flown in from 70 different countries present their Summer 2023 collections. Over 50 live shows are taking place over the course of the week and innumerable pop-up and sales events will support the in-person shows. Highlights this year include the extraordinary Southern Hemisphere brand BeachCult from Cape Town, South Africa, and brand new collections by Bikinilista, Tiare Hawaii, Onalaja and many more.

We’ve made a little taster selection of some of our favourite brands on offer. Be our VIP guest, sit back and enjoy the all glamour and excitement, the beauty and extravagance, the fun and exhilaration of this spectacular set of shows.

 

BEACHCULT

(https://www.instagram.com/beachcultct)

BeachCult is Cape Town designer Janna Hedley’s brainchild. For Miami Swim Week she collaborated with wallpaper designer Cara Saven to produce a range based on the unique indigenous plants and animals endemic to the Cape region of South Africa. Charming, glamorous and inimitable, this collection evokes a opulent Garden Of Eden, an uber-exotic paradise with its vivacious colours and bold motifs. Warm, rich earth tones like terracotta and cocoa are juxtaposed with cool seaside shades like azure, emerald and sand to create a palette that charms with its contrasts and extraordinary attention to every design detail.

This collection showcases BeachCult’s signature favourites: easy-to-wear shapes like their Ibiza dress and Havana bikini. Fabulous new silhouettes are introduced too, like the glamorous Apollo kimono and its matching slimline palazzo trousers. The stunning new Venus dress is another one to place very high on the must-have list!

BeachCult prides itself on fully sustainable credentials, with an eye on mindful and ethical production from start to finish. All production takes place locally, aiming to minimise the carbon footprint and provide employment to local communities. Sizzling summer looks have never looked more authentic and elegant, and have never felt more gloriously guilt-free.

 

IVY SWIMWEAR

(https://www.instagram.com/ivyswimwear)

Founded in 2015 by a female Canadian entrepreneur, IVY Swimwear is now based in New York. The brand continues to produce stunning lace and textured fabric one-off pieces. We love the nude-and-black, super elegant bikinis, but our hands-down favourite has to be the zebra two-piece!

 

BODHI MIAMI

(https://www.instagram.com/bodhimiamiofficial)

A very local brand – in fact, Bodhi Miami is located in the very heart of stunning Miami – Bodhi Miami derives their inspiration from beach cultures all over the world – from Brazil to Bali and India. Their signature soft fabrics, clean lines, body-hugging contours, classic design and super flattering cuts are lovely to behold yet again in the 2023 shows.

 

ENDRINA BROOKS

(https://www.instagram.com/endrinaswimwear)

Known for creating swimwear for women who want to feel confident, elegant, feminine and a little sexy, Endrina Brooks’ pieces keep doing exactly that. Vibrant and bold, the patterned bikinis and one-pieces (our favourites!) are on the cutting edge of style. These pieces will most certainly make you stand out on the beach or on the cruise!

 

BRASILIA SWIM

(https://www.instagram.com/brasiliaswim)

This brand, located in Santa Cruz California, hand-makes their exquisite, quality ‘postage stamp’-size bikinis Brazilian-style … in their homeland of Brazil! These pieces are evidently inspired by the exotic jungles, the beautiful people and vibrant colours of Brazil. They pride themselves on their sustainability credentials, using eco-fabrics that will degrade within 3 years.

 

PLAYASOL

(https://www.instagram.com/playasolswim)

This feminine, high-end, luxury brand of swim and resort wear known for their use of beading, stone designs and beading, fringing and frills produced some thrills at the shows. Vibrant, bold and exotic, this is a brand you only wear if you want to stand out from the crowd!

 

BY CASSANDRE

(https://www.instagram.com/bycassandre)

This Canadian brand is known for its timeless pieces. Their swimwear is hand-made in Montreal and Brazil, using the highest quality fabric from Italy and Brazil to produce very shapely pieces that will last in seawater.

 

KRIS JACKSON

(https://www.instagram.com/krisjacksonstyle)

This Jamaican luxury swimwear brand pulls no punches when it comes to bold shapes and vibrant colours! Shapely style lines hug and contour the body while strategic cut-outs reveal just enough … This is a brand for those who adore the sun, who frequent exotic shores and want to be seen in something very striking indeed.

 

BANANA MOON

(https://www.instagram.com/bananamoonofficial)

Established in 1984, Banana Moon is one of the most recognizable swimwear brands in the world. A fusion between European know-how and dedication to the highest quality combined with the Californian sense of style and creativity Banana Moon is being distributed in over 50 countries worldwide.

 

BIKINILISTA

(https://www.instagram.com/bikinilista)

Ooh la la! Belissima! Bikinilista radiates youthfulness, vibrancy and zest, and effortlessly captures the essence of a summer beach luxury lifestyle. Bikinilista’s stunning styles in chic colourways and patterns adorn beaches from Ibiza to the French Riviera.

 

HAITIAN DOLL BY JO BELLA

(https://www.instagram.com/haitiandollby_jobella)

Jo Bella, the creative director of Haitian Doll, arrived in New York from Haiti as a teenager and started modelling. She translates her love for clothes and make-up into her own collections, of which the inimitable Haitian Doll is one. Striking, flattering and eye-catching, these creations are uber-vibrant and joyful!

 

OTHER AWESOME BRANDS! Too many to mention …

also got our vote of confidence!