Swimsuit

Inside Miami Swim Week 2023: Day One

SI Swimsuit festivities were in full swing at the W Hotel South Beach on Friday.

Cara O’Bleness

SI Swimsuit panel

SI Swimsuit “How She Built It” panel event at brunch.

The week we’ve all been waiting for is in full swing. SI Swimsuit’s Miami Swim Week events kicked off yesterday with a VIP dinner for talent at the W Hotel South Beach.

Since Friday’s main event didn’t take place until the evening, the morning and afternoon of July 7 were packed with fun-filled activities. An outdoor brunch was held at 10 a.m., featuring a panel of incredible female founders who spoke about how they built their businesses. Nicole Williams English, a rookie in the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue and founder of Nia Lynn; MJ Carlson, founder of Electric Picks; Becca Ingle, founder of Lain Snow; Dani Austin, founder of Divi; and Courtney Shields, DIBS founder, were the featured participants. The discussion was moderated by Nicole Vasquez, cofounder and chief people officer at Deskpass.

Meanwhile, VIP guests enjoyed a brunch featuring fresh fruit salad, homemade granola with organic berries and yogurt, scrambled eggs, banana bread French toast and more.

After brunch, guests headed to the SI Swimsuit Barbie Dreamhouse in a poolside bungalow to enjoy various activations throughout the afternoon. There were plenty of photo ops on site, while guests enjoyed a gifting display and piercings from Electric Picks, as well as free Divi hair products and scalp massages.

Ellie Thumann

Ellie Thumann at The Little Words Project activation.

The Little Words Project allowed attendees to create their own custom bracelets, and Royce & Rocket showed off their elevated luggage essentials.

And, of course, no Barbie Dreamhouse would be complete without makeup and skincare products. On the second floor of the bungalow, Grande Cosmetics, DIBS Beauty and Mario Badescu were all on hand offering makeovers and freebies.

Swimwear brands Nia Lynn, Lain Snow, Vendela Wear and Left on Friday were also on site showcasing their latest offerings outside. Amino Lean was also present outside at the wet bar for refreshments throughout the afternoon.

SI Swimsuit talent, including brand veterans Camille Kostek and Brooks Nader, as well as rookies Sixtine and Ellie Thumann, were all in attendance and participated in a fun, interactive interview opportunity with the publication as they played Jenga and asked one another questions.

Sixtine

Sixtine outside of the SI Swimsuit Barbie Dreamhouse.

The models began preparing for the main event in the early evening with show rehearsals at 5:30 p.m. After getting glammed up in hair and makeup, talent walked a red carpet and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show for Miami Swim Week officially kicked off poolside at 9:30 p.m. 

Post runway show, an exclusive after-party was held at the W Hotel, where models and VIP guests enjoyed private tables and bottle service.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!

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Cara O’Bleness
CARA O’BLENESS

Cara O’Bleness is a writer and editor on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Prior to joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, O’Bleness loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University’s School of Journalism.

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