Skin Is In: Sensuality Meets Seduction at Miami Swim Week 2025

Designers, influencers, and bronzed bodies turn the city into a living runway.

As swimwear designers and bikini models from around the world landed in Miami for the annual Swim Week Shows May 28 through June 1, the temperature rose to a feverish level both on and off the runways.  Forget the art scene of Art Basel; Miami Swim Week is a visual feast of bronzed bodies, bold couture, and unapologetic sensuality. Across the city, luxury venues transformed into immersive fashion stages, where beauty, design, and hedonism collided in spectacular style.  Miami Swim Week truly ignites an already hot city!

The Global Capital of Swimwear

Miami Swim Week is no mere fashion event—it’s the global signature week of the swim and resort-wear industry. The official trade show at the Miami Beach Convention Center drew industry insiders from around the globe, but the real magic happened in the dazzling array of runway showcases unfolding across some of South Beach’s most iconic locations.

From the sunset-kissed pool deck of the Mondrian South Beach, where Miami Swim Week – The Shows erected a long catwalk over water, to the cool tent Paraiso positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and the Bass Museum, fashion infiltrated every sexy corner of the city. Art Hearts Fashion took over the historic Eden Roc Hotel, while others set their stages in museums, nightclubs, and private waterfront homes. Parties, naturally, were as commonplace as the palm trees— high-pitched, nonstop, and well-attended by barely dressed fashionistas and influencers.  Miami Swim Week has become one big ‘skinfest” in the Magic City of Miami.

Couture Fantasy: Ema Savahl

The week opened with a celestial spectacle by Albanian couture designer Ema Savahl, whose much-anticipated runway show has become a crown jewel of Swim Week. Presented by Miami Swim Week – The Shows, in partnership with The Little Lighthouse Foundation, the evening combined fashion, philanthropy, and fantasy under the stars.

Ema Savahl’s Couture Swimwear 2025 collection, “In Goddesses We Trust”, was a transformative journey into divine femininity. Inspired by sacred symbolism and goddess archetypes, each look was a canvas of neurographic motifs—hand-painted with metallic golds, silvers, and coppers—evoking rebirth and radiance. Barefoot models floated down the runway like goddesses in sensual silhouettes, corseted bodysuits, and shimmering fabrics, crowned with sculptural floral headpieces worthy of celestial queens by Iryna Shulzhenko while DJ Eli Love’s ethereal soundscape stirred the soul.  The presentation backdrop was a phoenix-inspired visual installation by artist Alejandro Campolo befitting the Ema Savahl theme. In all, Ema’s designs are not just a form of creative expression, but a means to transformation for herself and all female goddesses.

Leading the show was Albanian beauty and influencer Tika Camaj, following in the footsteps of Ema’s cousin Cindy Marina, former Miss Universe Albania. Fun fact: Ema Savahl was the official swimwear designer for the Miss Universe Pageant in 2020. This year’s show reaffirmed the label’s place at the intersection of artistry and allure, already adored by celebrities and influencers worldwide.

Melissa Odabash: 25 Years of Effortless Elegance

In a moment of chic reflection, designer Melissa Odabash marked 25 years in fashion with a refined salon-style presentation at the Bass Museum of Art. Limited to an exclusive 150 guests, the evening featured private gallery tours, curated cocktails, and a runway that radiated the designer’s signature jet-set aesthetic.

Former supermodel and Real Housewives of New York alum Kelly Bensimon graced the runway, showcasing pieces from Odabash’s sophisticated new lineup, including swimwear, breezy beach dresses, and the globally-inspired Après-Plage collection drawn from the vibrant hues of Marrakech.

Paraiso: The Epicenter of Swim Culture

At the heart of the Swim Week action, Paraiso Miami Beach brought together an electric mix of brands and designers under one expansive tent. The atmosphere was festive, with live music performances and buzzy collaborations.

Highlights included Cupshe’s 10th anniversary showcase of womenswear, menswear and kidswear, Leslie Amon’s scintillating debut of “The After Sun” collection, inspired by sultry summer nights while Oh Polly turned up the heat with “Club Tropics,” and Azulu Colombia’s “Anatomy of a Bloom” looked ahead to Resort ‘26 with floral fluidity.

Art Hearts Fashion: Edgy and Elevated

At the Eden Roc Hotel, Art Hearts Fashion delivered a dramatic, black-lacquered runway that doubled as a mirror—reflecting not just the models, but the bold creativity of designers like Pia Bolte, Ca Rio Ca, Cirone Swimlingerie, and Diva Couture. Both men’s and women’s collections shimmered under spotlights, fusing athleticism with high-glam energy.

Maaji at Temple House: Immersive Fantasy

In a sacred space turned surreal playground, Maaji debuted its Resort ‘26 collection inside the Temple House, an architecturally iconic venue reimagined as a mermaid dreamscape for the night. The show, dubbed “Maaji Mermaidland,” launched the “Cherry Coke x Maaji” collaboration, the first in a vibrant trilogy that will include Sprite and Coca-Cola themed collections through 2026. It was whimsy meets innovation, with fantasy woven into every thread.

Sports Illustrated: Real Women, Real Power

No Miami Swim Week would be complete without the signature Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Show at the W South Beach. Their legendary poolside runway returned—longer, louder, and more inclusive than ever.

Headliners included entrepreneurial powerhouse Bethenny Frankel, gymnast sensations Olivia Dunne and Jordan Chiles, and social media darling Alix Earle, who returned for her second SI appearance. Though the packed deck left many without a clear view (perhaps a missed opportunity for live screens), the inclusive, celebratory tone left spirits high, fueled by open bars and pure Miami energy.

Where Style Meets Sun: A Miami Week to Remember

As another dazzling edition of Miami Swim Week came to a close, one truth remained crystal clear—Miami doesn’t just host events, it transforms them. With every golden hour catwalk and champagne-fueled afterparty, the city once again solidified its position as the epicenter of swim and resort style. In Miami, skin is always in—and sensuality, always guaranteed.