After a string of provocative runway ensembles split reviewers earlier this month, the once-prestigious Miami Swim Week has been dubbed “trashy” by industry insiders.
This week, a source who spoke to The Daily Telegraph criticized the yearly occasion.
‘There’s no denying that designs have been growing more and more risqué every year, but the photographs coming out of Miami Swim this week are bordering on ridiculous,’ the insider said.
“One, there’s no way anyone is going to wear those designs, and two, it’s made a mockery of the event, which used to be quite prestigious and was once thought to be the world’s biggest swimwear show.”
According to the publication, a few Australian models and brands were passed over for the event this year.
The Swim Week has apparently been described as “trashy,” “indecent,” and “offensive” by insiders.
Miami Swim Week has been contacted by Daily Mail Australia for comment regarding this report.
It happens after one outlandish fashion presentation at the formerly renowned event made the news.
The Black Tape Project’s presentation on July 7 stretched the boundaries further than had ever been done before, with models going down the runway completely bare save for a few carefully placed strands of body tape.
Joel Alvarez, a Cuban-American artist who overcame poverty to become one of his nation’s most striking designers, is the creator of the Black Tape Project.
Although visitors and the larger fashion community praised the extremely revealing outfits, the runway show received criticism for the models’ lack of diversity in body types.
“I’m perplexed. The runway displays for Victoria’s Secret were canceled because the models had unattainable body types. One reviewer wrote.
“How is it possible that this fashion display can occur? Can’t comprehend the fashion industry.
One Instagram user said that the catwalk presentation was a “great show,” but questioned where the variety of bodies was after seeing the trending catwalk photographs on social media.
Another person said, “All the models look alike.”
Many fashionistas supported the avant-garde presentation despite complaints that there weren’t enough plus-size models, with one simply writing: “SPEECHLESS.”
“Everyone’s jaw MUST be on the floor,” said another. Another said, “What a show.”
On his website, Alvarez offers rolls of his recognizable body tape in a range of hues.
The least expensive black color is $9.99 a roll, however, the more colorful options, such as metallic golds, blues, and pinks, can cost as much as $29.99 each.
Alvarez does not confine his artistic medium to just runway models, though.
He had previously been invited to Vienna to film the Gumball 3000 street rally and the iconic supercars Lamborghini Urus and Ferrari 488 Spider.
