5 Things You Missed at Miami Swim Week: Sports Illustrated’s Inclusive Swimwear Show and More

Brandi Fowler 15 July 2019 Fab Life 0

Cheers to the first Destination Fab trip to Miami Swim Week!

When I was invited to attend and cover the swimwear shows at W South Beach and beyond in Miami over the weekend, I didn’t know what to expect. As soon as I strolled into my luxe oceanfront studio at W South Beach, though, I knew I was in for a treat.

The weekend marked one of my fave trips to Miami, and it was packed with shows that gave me major fashion inspo, brand beach party pop-ups with plenty of freebies, Sports Illustrated events, a dreamy Chopard dinner, and so much more. (Top Photo Credit: Romain Maurice/Getty Images for Badgley Mishka)

The best part about Miami Swim Week is that you don’t have to be a fashion insider or working in fashion or media to have a good time and experience some of the shows (although it helps). Many events and shows, like the Sports Illustrated and Badgley Mischka shows – two of my faves – were open to the public, for example.

Miami Swim Weekers were also privy to pop-ups with free swag and comped cocktails, and could easily register to attend more private shows, via Fashion Week Online’s scheduler, and get the lowdown on pop-ups on Paraiso Miami Beach’s Swim Week Calendar.

Take a peek at the five things you missed at Miami Swim Week!

1. The Badgley Mischka Show

MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 13: A model walks the runway during Badgley Mishka Swimwear 2020 Collection Runway Show – Paraiso Miami Beach at The W Hotel South Beach on July 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Badgley Mishka)

There are fashion shows, and then there shows that make you want to stand up and applaud nearly every moment a model hits the runway. The Badgley Mischka swimwear show at W South Beach was that moment for me. Much like the brand’s clothing and shoe collections, the swimwear designs were sleek, high fashion, and exuded an undeniable class.

I loved the structure of the suits, the pops of bright neon colors, and the statement-making coverups and headwraps. The best thing about the experience? We took in the show front row and got a close-up view of bikinis and one-piece suits as the models strutted down the long white catwalk, which was in the middle of the WET pool.

2. The Chopard Cocktail Reception and Paraiso Welcome Dinner

This dinner was one of the highlights of our Miami Swim Week experience. As we strolled into Paraiso Miami Beach Thursday night, we hit the Chopard candy bar, which was topped with goodies and a navy Chopard purse guests had the opportunity to win. Upstairs, the dinner of our dreams awaited. Although it was covered, the weather was perfect, with no rain or crazy steamy temps in sight. After strolling up the stairs we headed straight to the bar, grabbing cocktails in gold glasses during cocktail hour, and heading to our seats at candle-topped white tables.

When dinner – hosted by hosted by Chopard and Cultured Magazine – began, a Chopard rep thanked guests for attending and waiters brought out a family style dinner, with watermelon tomato salad, hamachi sashimi, roasted filet mignon, scottish salmon and pomme puree hitting the tables. It was an evening of wining and dining, mixing and mingling, and made for the perfect kick off to start the weekend. Each guest took home a Chopard gift bag stuffed with a Chopard beach towel and other goodies.

3. The Inclusive Sports Illustrated Show

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA – JULY 14: Halima Aden walks the runway during the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show During Miami Swim Week At W South Beach – Runway at WET poolside lounge at W South Beach on July 14, 2019 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated)

I’ve seen quite a few fashion shows at this point, but none as diverse or inclusive as the Sports Illustrated Show at W South Beach. Halima Aden, who made history this year as the first woman to wear a burkini in the mag’s swimsuit issue, was on hand in a metallic floral custom burkini that covered her from head to toe. I chatted with Aden ahead of the show, who told me, she believes beauty comes from the inside.

“It’s important that I’m representing a different type of beauty,” she said. “It took me a long time to even say that, like I feel beautiful. I say feel not look because it really needs to come from the inside. That sounds kind of cliche, but it’s true. You’ve got to radiate and feel good about yourself and who you are. Then when you shine on the inside it just radiates through.”

There were also several plus size models strutting their stuff down the catwalk, and even a model in a wheelchair – Djaniel Carter whom MJ Day, editor of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue pushed down it.

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA – JULY 14: Djaniel Carter and MJ Day walk the runway during the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show During Miami Swim Week At W South Beach – Runway at WET poolside lounge at W South Beach on July 14, 2019 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated)

According to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s Instagram, Carter, a professional dancer, “sustained traumatic injuries to both of her legs and has been battling an underlying medical condition that has yet to be diagnosed.” They added, “Despite the fact that she has a weakened ability to walk and stand, she has not let that stop her from pursuing her dreams.”

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA – JULY 14: Kathy Jacobs walks the runway during the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show During Miami Swim Week At W South Beach – Runway at WET poolside lounge at W South Beach on July 14, 2019 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated)

Kathy Jacobs, 55, also got roaring applause when she hit the runway, as did Christie Valdiserri, who has alopecia and walked down the runway in a bikini in a blonde wig.

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA – JULY 14: Christie Valdiserri walks the runway during the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show During Miami Swim Week At W South Beach – Runway at WET poolside lounge at W South Beach on July 14, 2019 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated)

4. The Pop-Ups

There were so many pop-ups around the city that it was impossible to make it to them all. One of my favorites was the Cia.Maritima Swimwear Sunset Beach Soiree at W South Beach, where guests were treated to signature pineapple mojitos, aperol spritz, rose’, and more. Guests also had the opportunity to take home one to three goodies, included studded Schutz sandals, colorful cover-ups, mini Sol Brazilian Bum Bum Creams and more. To win, all they had to do was grab a fruit-infused popsicle, which had the goodies labeled on the popsicle sticks.

Outside of the W South Beach grounds, there were also a ton of free events that were open to the public like Destination: Ipsy Beauty, which was filled with Instagrammable installations and pop-ups, Beauty and the Beats’ Sunset Soiree, Nu Wave Swim’s runway shows, wellness activations, cocktail parties, and more.

5. Hanging Out at W South Beach With Sports Illustrated

We had a blast kicking back at W South Beach and attending Sports Illustrated’s VIP events. We started one morning with a workout class with Kate Bock, hit the beach for a Peroni Beach Party, and left our poolside seats to grab free cocktails at the Legends Hospitality Lounge.

Friday, we partied at the W South Beach x Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Kick-Off Party, and Sunday, we ended our trip at Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Runway Show at the onsite Wall nightclub.

Needless to say, we had an incredible time. Until next year, Miami Swim Week! On to the next Destination Fab Adventure.

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