8 Highlights from Miami Swim Week 2019 | Baazar

From Baazar

As if Miami in July isn't hot enough, each year the hottest swim brands flock to the Florida city to showcase the latest in swimwear trends. From buzzy new brands to fresh swimsuit styles and a philanthropic show giving back to kids across South Florida, this year's Miami Swim Week definitely had the range—and all the vacation essentials to go with it. Catch up on the highlights and must-know trends from the week ahead.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit' Celebrates Diversity in Swim

During a week of many spray tans and blond bombshells, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit's runway served as a breath of fresh air. The show, which was opened by Halima Aden wearing a Cynthia Rowley burkini, featured models of all ages, races, sizes, and backgrounds.

Aside from being both inclusive and diverse, the runway served as a huge opportunity for up-and-coming models. The show had an open casting call, and models from this year's Swimsuit Issue mentored the contestants throughout the process. In the end, 16 new models were selected to walk alongside the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models.

Trend to Know: High-Cut Suits

Ultra-high, '80s-inspired cuts continued to reign as the biggest swimwear trend. The throwback look appeared in both bikini and one-piece forms—with brands like Revival and SageSwim going for even higher, exaggerated versions of the suit.

Style Saves Raises Money for Kids Across Florida

For the ninth year in a row, Style Saves, a Miami-based nonprofit helping to provide clothing to underprivileged students, hosted its Swim Week show fundraising for its annual back-to-school initiative project. Hosted at The Setai by Rocky Barnes and Style Saves founder Rachael Russell Saiger, the runway show featured collections by four swim brands: Kai Lani, Maheli Heli, Macaed, and Abruzzo Swim—and many appearances by the cutest mini models.

The sold-out event and silent auction helped raise money for Style Saves' August back-to-school event, which will provide 7,500 students the opportunity to "shop" for uniforms, backpacks, school
supplies, shoes, and accessories in a department store-style setup. Even if you didn't attend the event, you can still sponsor a student's back-to-school wardrobe at stylesaves.org.

Trend to Know: Long-Sleeve Suits

Ideal for those who want to save on SPF, long-sleeve swimsuits had a moment—from one-pieces at Acacia to bikinis at Nookie Beach to an off-the-shoulder option from Devon Windsor's swimwear debut.