Miami Swim Week 2024: Aesthetics Meets Esthetics

Miami Swim Week has been the destination for swimwear for some time now and is finding a new groove in Vice City. Bikinis and heels are complemented by shirtless physiques and colorful palettes, apart from the all-white motif, synonymous throughout South Beach. This year held events encouraging beach bodies and tan lines, infusing the Miami lifestyle into the garments while highlighting the different offerings that reflect South Beach’s sundrenched aesthetics.

Miami Swim Week The Shows 2024 entered its 10th year with headlined swimwear shows, panel discussions, and events that introduced beauty to men and women alike. Founder and CEO of The Shows, Moh Ducis shared, “We are constantly innovating to create a bridge between wellness, beauty, and fashion. Miami Swim Week® The Shows exists to not just showcase brands, but to help identify the pain points for designers and connect them to the resources, consumers, and support they need to continue to elevate their businesses.”

Guest partook in a 50-minute facial provided by German skincare brand BABOR at the TARA, Ink. Miami Swim Week Oasis at the W South Beach from May 31 to June 2. Besides the Sports Illustrated swimsuit show which is heralded each Swim Week season at the W Hotel, the energy shifted its attention between the star-filled resort feel of the hotel and the tucked-away bungalow of beauty. The night before the runway extravaganza, Peruvian restaurant PASTA hosted a private dinner for media and models, opening its first US location in Wynwood this summer.

These facials were customized to meet each person’s skin’s needs, with hydration, plumpness, and cleansing, radiating a distinct glow for the Swim Week festivities. BABOR debuted its Cleanformance Stress Defense Mushroom Cream, inspired by traditional Chinese medicine.

A conversation around beauty took place down the road at the Gabriel Hotel South Beach, part of the Art Hearts Fashion run of show which included runway shows from men’s swimwear line Hunk, and The Black Tape Project with its conceptualized futurist swimwear designs. Friday, May 31, Snatched Plastic Surgery hosted an intimate panel discussion exploring the symbiotic relationship between body trends and fashion.

Aesthetics collide with esthetics, featuring industry experts such as Founder and CEO Claudia Borges, plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Boulos, Fashion and Beauty Editor Bella magazine Daniela Uribe, swimwear designer Lila Nikole, stylist Kendria Godair, and Art Hearts Fashion Beauty Director April Love, moderated by Miami Fashion influencer and consultant Timur Tugberk.

Primarily held at the SLS South Beach Hotel, set in the Miami Beach heat, The Shows displayed an array of designers hailing from Australia to Africa to France and more, boasting their interpretation of ready-to-wear summer and resort styles. The diverse lineup of designers included Miami-based designer Ema Savahl and Salty Mermaid Swim, who had displays of men’s swimwear complementing many of its bikini sets.

Under the Paraiso tent just outside the W Hotel South Beach, a new name drew its name in the sands of Miami Leslie Amon. After six years of designing a swim line with six pieces, an ironic display of inspiration comes through. The Swiss/Paris-based designer pulls from the idea of – the unseen – a tropical place like Jamaica, which she is still dreaming of visiting.

“My energy is the frustration of living in a city that always rains. I’m always dreaming of going to exotic places and embracing the sun,” designer Leslie Amon notes. “For me, Jamaica represents freedom, even though I’ve never been there. It’s a dream destination for me.”

“I love ready-to-wear. The bikini market is so saturated at the moment that you need to complement your bikini. You can’t only wear a bikini; it’s a full lifestyle. I wanted to create a holiday wardrobe to escape the city. I started with just six swimwear pieces, selling only to my friends. It slowly evolved into ready-to-wear. Transitioning from swimwear to other categories isn’t easy, but bit by bit, we introduced new pieces, and with great partners like Regal, we’ve made it happen.”

Amon has explored her craft in a way that keeps her job fun, far from the straight-faced mugs each lady masked on the runway, letting the clothing become the life of the proverbial party. “I’ve been designing for six years, but this was my first show in the US. We got a sponsorship offer, and I thought, ‘Why not?’ It was an opportunity. It was a bit stressful because we’re a tiny team, but I like challenges, and I’ll do more shows.”

On the runway, a beaded dress, the colors of the Jamaican flag, and materials and designs, like the leopard print silky cargo pants and shirt-combo, all reflected the resort living that she envisions, not only for herself but her customers as well. Although Amon has not found herself in the warmer climate, she is warming up the idea of infusing menswear into her sartorial language.

Leslie Amon has a deep appreciation that is evolving interest in the tropics. “I resonate with the inspiration behind my collection a lot. The leaves, the fallout, everything. The beaded dress was a risk, but it held up. We’re not going to do the back in beads because you can’t sit in it. If you really want to be that girl, you just don’t sit,” she jokingly describes.

“I would love to do menswear,” declares Amon. “The fit has to be perfect, but I think there’s room to play with a bit of funkiness. There’s a lack of cool menswear swim brands, and I see that as an opportunity. For me, creating is about finding freedom and expression. My husband, a designer, only wears black Uniqlo. But I love seeing prints on guys. Embroidery and colors bring something special, and I want to extend that into menswear.”

“I aim to create the perfect fit and coolness in menswear. There’s no perfect menswear swimwear brand yet, and I want to fill that gap. It’s about finding that perfect fit and adding a bit of funkiness.”

On June 1, Fashion Group International South Florida [FGI] collaborated with Art Hearts Fashion for the global Communiqué presentation at The Gates Hotel. The panel was led by Art Hearts Fashion CEO and Founder Erik Rosete, delving into emerging styles and trends beyond 2024.

Sharpie Creative Markers made an appearance partnering with the iconic lifestyle brand ACACIA for their first-ever runway show at the Shopping Miami Beach Complex, 1111 Lincoln Road. ACACIA debuted their Resort 2025 Collection, blending innovative design with sustainability. Showcasing the evolving luxury swim industry, Sharpie included a live community mural for guests to express their creativity using its signature markers.

Sharpie also supported the annual Swim Up Cycle Challenge, in collaboration with Istituto Marangoni, Miami School of Fashion and Design. This initiative celebrated Miami Swim Week’s 20th anniversary with fashion students designing art-inspired apparel and accessories using new Sharpie Creative Markers.

The challenge invited young and budding designers to craft swimwear from donated deadstock fabrics, with five finalists showcasing their creations on the runway. The winner is due to receive mentorship, a cash prize, and a collection of Sharpie® Creative Markers, with the competition judged by a panel including Gina Lazaro of Sharpie®, Ivy Heilman of Anthropologie, Keili Leahy of Urban Outfitters, Madison Rexroat of Elle Magazine.

Miami Swim Week 2024 was a blend of beauty, fashion, and creativity, reflecting the dynamic spirit of South Beach while fostering innovation and sustainability in the swimwear industry. Continuing to be a premier destination for swimwear, Miami Swim Week is blending the vibrant Miami lifestyle with innovative swimwear ideas and fashion.