The once prestigious Miami Swim Week has been branded ‘trashy’ by industry insiders after a series of racy runway looks divided critics earlier this month.
One source slammed the annual event this week when speaking to The Daily Telegraph.
‘There’s no doubt designs have been getting racier and racier each year, but the images coming out of Miami Swim this week are boarding on comical,’ 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 was once considered the world’s biggest swimwear show and used to be quite prestigious.’
The publication reports that a number of Aussie models and brands were snubbed from the event this year.
Miami Swim Week has been branded ‘trashy’ by industry insiders after outrageous ‘duct tape bikini’ trend leaving models to walk the runway almost naked divided the fashion world: ‘It’s almost comical’. Pictured is a model on the runway at the Black Tape Project show on July 7
‘There’s no way anyone is going to wear those designs and two it’s made a mockery of the event which was once considered the world’s biggest swimwear show and used to be quite prestigious,’ an insider said
Insiders have reportedly called the Swim Week ‘trashy,’ ‘indecent’ and ‘offensive’.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Miami Swim Week for comment, in relation to this article.
It comes after one outrageous show at the once prestigious fashion event made headlines.
The presentation by the Black Tape Project on July 7 pushed the boundaries beyond anything seen before, with models walking down the runway completely nude except for strategically placed strips of body tape.
A number of Aussie models and brands were reportedly snubbed from the event this year. However, Aussie model Lucciana Beynon strutted her stuff down the catwalk at Swim Week for Ema Savahi (Lucciana is pictured)
The Black Tape Project is the brainchild of Cuban-American creative Joel Alvarez, who overcame poverty to become one of his country’s most provocative designers.
While the very revealing designs drew praise from attendees and the wider fashion world, the runway show was criticised for the models’ lack of body diversity.
‘I’m confused. Wasn’t Victoria’s Secret’s runway shows cancelled because of the unobtainable body shapes among models?’ one critic wrote.
‘How come this fashion show can take place? Can’t understand the fashion world.’
A runway presentation by the Black Tape Project caused a stir at Miami Swim Week on July 7
The catwalk show pushed the boundaries beyond anything seen before, with models walking down the runway completely nude except for strategically placed strips of body tape
After photos of the catwalk presentation went viral on social media, one Instagram user said it was a ‘great show’ but asked, ‘Where’s the variety of bodies?’
Another remarked: ‘All the models look the same.’
Despite criticism of the lack of plus-size models, many fashionistas supported the envelope-pushing show, with one simply commenting: ‘SPEECHLESS.’
Another added: ‘Everyone’s jaw MUST be on the floor!’ A third said: ‘What a show.’
While the very revealing designs drew praise from attendees and the wider fashion world, the runway show has been criticised for the models’ lack of body diversity
After photos of the catwalk presentation went viral on social media, one Instagram user said it was a ‘great show’ but asked, ‘Where’s the variety of bodies?’
The Black Tape Project is the brainchild of Cuban-American creative Joel Alvarez (centre), who overcame poverty to become one of his country’s most provocative designers
Alvarez sells rolls of his signature body tape in a variety of colours on his website.
The most basic black hue starts at $9.99 a roll, while the more vibrant options – including metallic golds, blues, and pinks – cost up to $29.99 each.
But Alvarez does not limit his art form to just runway models.
He was previously invited to Vienna to tape legendary supercars – the Ferrari 488 Spider and Lamborghini Urus – at the Gumball 3000 street rally.
Despite criticism of the lack of plus-size models, many fashionistas supported the envelope-pushing show, with one simply commenting: ‘SPEECHLESS’
Alvarez sells rolls of his signature body tape in a variety of colours on his website. A black roll starts at $9.99 a roll, while the more vibrant options cost up to $29.99 each