Latest news with #MiamiSwimWeek–TheShows
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Melissa Odabash Celebrates 25 Years at Miami Swim Week
Melissa Odabash Melissa Odabash will celebrate 25 years of her swimwear and resort wear brand with a private showcase presented by Miami Swim Week – The Shows on Friday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m. at The Bass Museum of Art. The anniversary collection will feature her signature swimsuits, bikinis and stylish resort wear that she is known for, while paying tribute to the glamor of 1970s swimwear. 'The anniversary collection is really a celebration of the journey; where we started and how far we've come,' said Odabash. 'I drew inspiration from the early days of the brand, revisiting key silhouettes and prints that defined our identity, but reimagining them with a modern, elevated touch.' Odabash started out as a swimwear model, garnering experience in Paris modeling for major brands before returning to the US to start her own fashion brand in 2000. When she started out, it was a completely different game. 'Honestly, the swimwear and resortwear industry barely existed 25 years ago,' she said. 'It was extremely seasonal; swimwear was something people only thought about in the summer, and very few brands produced it during the winter months.' A model walks the runway at the Melissa Odabash show during the Gran Canaria Swim Week by Moda Calida at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on October 20, 2022 in Las Palmas, Spain. (Photo by Estrop/Gettyimages) Over time, the industry began to evolve. 'More designers started creating collections year-round, and swimwear transitioned from a seasonal product to a lifestyle category,' said Odabash. 'It became about more than just going to the beach; it came to represent an entire way of living. I'm proud to say I was one of the first to truly pioneer that shift and build a brand around it.' In the early 2000s, she had a breakthrough when supermodel Tyra Banks wore one of her swimsuits on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swim. Since then, Heidi Klum, Kendall Jenner, Karen Mulder, Steffi Graf and Rihanna have all worn Odabash's swimwear. When she started out, it was a completely different game. 'Honestly, the swimwear and resortwear industry barely existed 25 years ago,' she said. 'It was extremely seasonal; swimwear was something people only thought about in the summer, and very few brands produced it during the winter months.' Over time, the industry began to evolve. 'More designers started creating collections year-round, and swimwear transitioned from a seasonal product to a lifestyle category,' said Odabash. 'It became about more than just going to the beach; it came to represent an entire way of living. I'm proud to say I was one of the first to truly pioneer that shift and build a brand around it.' LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 5: A model walks the runway at the Melissa Odabash fashion show during Gran Canaria Swim Weeek on October 5, 2024 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo) Despite her celebrity credibility, running a fashion brand is no easy feat. 'I can't believe I'm celebrating 25 years, because there were so many times I wanted to give up,' said Odabash. 'Retail is incredibly tough, and resort wear is one of the hardest segments in the industry. When I started, I was up against about ten major players, huge names like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren. Now, there are thousands of new swimwear brands launching every year, and the market is incredibly saturated.' Staying in the fashion business requires resilience. 'I've been fortunate to consistently rank among the top resort wear brands in major department stores, which is something I'm really proud of,' said Odabash, who sells at Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman and more. 'But it's taken relentless hard work. We've had to navigate massive challenges—from COVID, to Brexit, to adapting to new international regulations and logistics while running a global company from London. Growing is one thing, but staying at the top is an entirely different challenge.' Designing for various body shapes and sizes, Odabash's 25-year anniversary collection will include one-piece swimsuits, bikinis, accessories, beach dresses, resort wear and her signature Après-Plage (meaning 'after the beach' in French) collection, which is a line of upscale dresses, meant to whisk one off for dinner after a day at the beach. It's inspired by the casual glamor of Marrakech, Morocco. GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 6: A model walks the runway during the Melissa Odabash Fashion show during the Gran Canaria Moda Calida Swimwear on October 6, 2023 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo) 'In Europe, people often wear long kaftans on boats or to dinner, it's about creating pieces that seamlessly transition from day to night,' said Odabash. 'I've also brought back a few favorites from the archive, including some beaded pieces, just to have fun and highlight the creative possibilities of swimwear. It's about blending functionality, fashion, and a touch of nostalgia.' Odabash's latest cruise collection pays tribute to her mother, who first introduced her to bikinis in St. Martin. Inspired by the colors, styles and spirit of the Caribbean, the collection is a homage to the golden age of glamorous resort wear in the 1970s. It includes maxi dresses, airy caftans, and detailed, woven cover-ups. 'As a child, I remember my mother coming back from her trips to St. Martin with these beautiful, handcrafted bikinis, nothing like what you could find in the States at the time,' she said. 'Those pieces really shaped my love for sophisticated, uncomplicated beachwear. It's a sense of style that still inspires my designs today.' GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 22: A model walks the runway during the Melissa Odabash Fashion show during the Gran Canaria Moda Calida Swimwear on October 22, 2021 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo) The 1970s were truly an era of glamorous swimwear and resort wear, from gold detailing to bold colors. 'This collection is my tribute to that feeling—the laid-back glamour of the 1970s, when beach fashion was all about understated luxury and confidence,' said Odabash. 'It's inspired by a time when women effortlessly exuded grace, whether they were soaking up the sun by the sea or heading to a seaside lunch.' Travel is a key influence in Odabash's collections—but her greatest sources of inspiration are two places in particular: Florida and Capri. MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 08: Kelly Bensimon is seen wearing Melissa Odabash on December 8, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by) 'Florida holds a special place in my heart because I have a home there—it's where I go to recharge, be close to the ocean, and feel grounded,' said Odabash. 'The light, the colors, and the relaxed vibe all feed into the resort lifestyle my brand is built around.' Capri, an Italian island on the south side of the Gulf of Naples, was a go-to for Odabash when she lived in Rome. 'There's such timeless elegance in its atmosphere, the way people dress, and the attention to detail,' she said. 'It's chic without ever trying too hard. I also deeply admire the quality of Italian craftsmanship, especially their fabrics, which have always influenced my collections.' GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 22: A model walks the runway during the Melissa Odabash Fashion show during the Gran Canaria Moda Calida Swimwear on October 22, 2021 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo) Next up, the brand will open two new stores in Dubai. 'The region has such a strong appreciation for luxury, elegance, and the resort lifestyle, so it feels like the perfect fit for the brand,' she said. Odabash will also continue to grow beyond swim and resort wear, adding more lifestyle pieces that women can wear year-round, which is an expansion of her lounge collection. 'As always, we're committed to sustainability—not just in how we source and produce, but in designing timeless pieces that last, rather than following fleeting trends,' she said. 'It's about growing the brand in a meaningful way, staying connected to our roots while embracing new opportunities around the world.' Follow @melissaodabash on Instagram.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Miami Swim Week – The Shows Focuses on Fashion, Sustainability and Social Impact
Miami Swim Week – The Shows 2025 will take place in Miami Beach from May 28 through June 1 at the Mondrian South Beach. The exhibition features over 50 events spanning more than 20 satellite locations and a lineup of over 150 national and international designers, models and celebrities. The organization is also introducing a new initiative, Miami Swim Week Cares, combining fashion, sustainability and social impact. Among those designers participating this year are Moda Minx, Megan Mea Miami, Lemango, Noblesse Privée, Lascana, Smart Swimsuits, Harti Swim, Mars the Label, Autty Simone, Nur Karaata, Delarose Sisters, Axii Swim, Everlast, Liberty & Justice, Baiah, Normal Culture, Elle Swimwear, Ema Savahl, Amarotto Swimwear, and brand sponsor Renuvion & Australian Gold. More from WWD EXCLUSIVE: Dryer-safe Bra Brand Huug Raises $6 Million Series A Douglas Friedman Teams With Ron Dorff on Beachwear Capsule EXCLUSIVE: Celebrity-approved Swimwear Brand Oséree Launches Menswear Melissa Odabash will present her 25th anniversary collection on May 30 at the Bass Museum. The main event — the runway shows — will start on May 28 and will take place at the Mondrian South Beach over the next five days. Among the numerous events are a launch party at Fabel Miami Rooftop, Next Impact panel discussions at the Bass Museum, Everlast's brand activation, Swim Fit Wellness activation at Nikki Beach, and the 'Summer Love Fashion Show' at Seaspice Miami. The Hammock Resort and Swimwear Trade Show will showcase established and new brands to global buyers. Miami Swim Week – The Shows will host an emerging designer's sustainability competition that supports new talent by providing a platform for designers focused on eco-friendly materials, ethical production and circular fashion. The event will also host cruelty-free and conscious beauty activations. There will also be a Miami Beach Shoreline Cleanup. Another feature will be the opening show benefiting the back-to-school program with The Little Lighthouse Foundation. Miami Swim Week – The Shows will also expand opportunities for foreign designers. 'With Miami Swim Week Cares, we are setting a new standard for fashion events — one that prioritizes sustainability, wellness, and meaningful industry connections. This season we are not just showcasing fashion; we are shaping the future of the industry,' said Moh Ducis, founder and chief executive officer of Miami Swim Week – The Shows. As reported, Paraiso Miami Swim Week, which takes place May 28 through June, will also feature designers, events and programming. This exhibition will feature swimwear brands such as Azulu, Leslie Amon, Luli Fama, Maaji, Dippin Daisy's, Kulani Kinis, Monday Swimwear, Oceanus, Oh Polly Swim, Peixoto, Rielli, Shan, Sigal, among others. There will also be industry networking cocktails and parties and private influencer and media brunches. For the first time, Paraiso Miami Swim Week will recognize pioneers and visionaries in the swimwear industry. As reported earlier this month, Paraiso Miami Swim Week, which has organized the swimwear fashion event for more than 20 years, won a legal ruling in a trademark dispute. The company said that the ruling canceled a trademark registration for Miami Swim Week by DC Swim Week-Miami Swim Week The Shows that allegedly was causing confusion in the market. The law offices of Elysa Galloway and Charlotte Towne Law, known as The Mermaid Lawyer, have initiated a federal lawsuit on behalf of DCSW Group LLC to protect the Miami Swim Week trademark. Best of WWD Every Celebrity Skims Campaign: Donovan Mitchell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Abby Champion and More [PHOTOS] Victoria Beckham's Style Through the Years: From Her Spice Girls Era to Today [PHOTOS] Everything to Know About the 2025 Met Gala: Guest List, Dress Code, Ticket Price and More Details
