Swimwear Fashion Shows Break Stereotypes and Embrace All Facets of Female Beauty

Body-positive models conquer the runways of Paris, Milan, and New York. But in Miami, a story is also unfolding: there’s a Miami Swim Week that, for many years now, celebrates female beauty in all forms and delights the audience with its diversity.

Just 15-20 years ago, only slender girls with “model-like” figures appeared on the catwalks. For swimsuit shows, they even selected the most curvaceous models. Meanwhile, nobody took into account that the figures of real women are often quite different from those of models

Beach Fashion Week is traditionally held in July at various venues around the city and brings together dozens of designers from all over the world. The first thing that strikes the eye when looking at photos from the shows is the diversity of models.

With each passing year, fashion shows reveal new facets of female beauty. The runway showcases both slender and plus-size models, women with distinctive features, pregnant women, and even mothers holding breastfeeding infants.

The shows at Miami Swim Week often convey a powerful social message, and designers seize the chance to address relevant issues. For instance, in 2018, model Mara Martin made headlines when she walked the runway with her five-month-old daughter in her arms. The mom posed for the camera while breastfeeding her baby. To protect the child from the noise, the girl wore special headphones that blocked out the sound.

In 2019, a plus-size model Ashley Alexiss became the star of one of the shows. The girl wears size 16 clothes and is 5′4″ tall, but this did not prevent her from achieving success in the modeling field. Ashley is an ambassador of several lingerie brands and has even developed her own line of clothes for plus-size women. “I know there’s no perfect body, but my body is perfect for me, and that’s enough,” declares the girl.

Professional dancer Christie Valdiserri, who has alopecia areata, also participated in the fashion show that year. She did a courageous act and removed her wig during the show. Christie wanted to inspire people who also experienced hair loss with her example.

Brazilian model Bruna Lima took the spotlight in 2021 by walking the runway while pregnant. “It felt great to embrace my 8-month bump and show that pregnant bodies are beautiful too. I can’t wait to show my daughter someday that she walked Miami Swim Week with me!” the girl shared.

One of Sweden’s most famous models, Vendela Kirsebom, made a sensation at the traditional Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Show. This year, Vendela celebrated two milestones: her 56th birthday and her more than 40-year career in the fashion industry.

Vendela was accompanied by retired deputy dean Nina Cash, 56.

Michaela McGrady and Hunter McGrady.

62-year-old model Carol Alt

Anna Sarol, 19-year-old, is a former gymnast.

Paralympian Brenna Huckaby.

Beauty is not about body measurements or a perfect face. Each person is beautiful in their own way, and we are pleased that women around the world embrace their appearance and reject outdated standards and stereotypes.