Events

Miami Swim Week: A Week of Fashion Extravaganza by the Beach

Published

3 years ago

July 16, 2023

Noah Torres

Dive into the Hottest Trends and Unforgettable Moments at Miami Swim Week 2023: A Celebration of Swimwear, Sustainability, and Style!

July 4th – 9th, 2023

Imagine it’s the middle of the summer in the streets of Miami Beach and you are standing in front of the SLS Hotel, a grand white Art Deco building, with beautiful high-end cars rounded in the front and masses of people lined up to get inside. You can see the flashing lights in the background and hear the music blasting of what seems to be the biggest pool party of the year but can’t see anything beyond the long lines past the entry. What’s all the buzz, you ask?

This summer season the fashion industry hosted one of their hottest, most thrilling, and exciting events they have to offer the world in swimwear. With models on the catwalk and some of the most beautiful swimwear garments there is to be found displayed on the runway, this year’s “Miami Swim Week” was everything and more! Running for a little over seven full days, packed with runway shows, fashion industry panels, influencer brunches, soirees, and after parties, this year’s Miami Swim Week served and teased the audience with a taste of what’s new and what’s trending in today’s current fashion.

Championing this year’s Miami Swim Week were two major group organizations known in the fashion industry for bringing the most vitalizing and invigorating experiences to the public – the Art Hearts Fashion founded in 2010 by Erik Rosete and Miami Swim Week: The Shows founded by former technical designer and businessman Moh Ducis. Meanwhile both events provided fashion activations surrounding themselves around a new world for swimwear, the experience of each were unique on their own, piquing enough interest and curiosity to want to buy, share, and be a part of the revolutionizing world of fashion!

To start off, Miami Swim Week: The Shows hosted their events at the dazzling and glamorous SLS South Beach Hotel, home to the Japanese restaurant “Katsuya” by Master Sushi Chef Katsuya. Located in the middle of South Beach and within walking distance of many shops and attractions such as Lincoln Road and Espanola Way, “Miami Swim Week: The Shows” brought over 50 public and industry events showcasing the work of over 100 designers in the fashion world.

This year to kick-off “Miami Swim Week: The Shows”, the opening night was dedicated to benefit the “Little Lighthouse Foundation,” donating 100% of their proceed to children in need. The opening show featured the illustrious designer Ema Koja of Ema Savahl Couture, followed by collections of Amarotto Swimwear who presented a piece called “Renacer” which in Spanish means “to be born again”. According to Amarotto Swimwear’s social media, “Every piece of ‘Renacer” is handcrafted with the Macramé technique, using high quality materials, [that were] carefully designed and made by Colombian artisans.” The sponsors of that night were Titos Vodka and KOPU Water, a sustainable luxury bottled water that complimented “Miami Swim Week: The Shows” overall main focus: inclusivity and sustainability.

A special someone, who is no stranger to the Fashion Industry Runway and also this year’s Host and Style Ambassador to “Miami Swim Week: The Shows,” was Hollywood Style Guru, Derek Warburton. This fashion icon who is still continuously claiming his rightful place in the middle of the fashion scene was recently featured in GQ Magazine for “the democratization of makeup across gender lines” and British Vogue for his partnership between “Derek Fabulous x FACE Stockholm.” Derek Warburton gave us all a taste and an embodiment of what a full-blown masterpiece looks like when nurtured and curated with authenticity.

When Robyn Newmark (of New You Media) queried about what was new and trending, Warburton’s Instagram post noted that seeing the Macramés resurgence on the runway was that “Everyone’s feeling really natural, you know? Everything is kind of going away from the voluptuous-overdone, to really a more ‘natural feel’ because it’s feeling much more authentic. I’m finding that authenticity, wearing your authenticity kind of on your sleeve, really was working, and I saw a lot of that. I been seeing a lot of that everywhere.”

If anyone inspires authenticity and genuine courage as a mentor and muse who invokes action through the mastery of his own personal and professional development, it would be Derek Warburton himself. He is truly a giant gift that keeps on giving and I am honored to have met him this year at the Sports Illustrated Show part of Miami Swim Week: The Shows hosted at the W Hotel in South Beach, Florida.

Just a short trip about a mile north from the W Hotel on Collins Avenue, you could see a long line of all high-end top-of-the-line cars jamming to get into the lustrous, well renowned, and luxurious Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel. That same day, “Miami Swim Week” powered by Art Hearts Fashion was hosting their very own most-anticipated show of the week, the Black Tape Project with Designer Joel Alvarez, who now goes by the name Drakhan Blackhart. This was an after-party runway show featuring a new genre of body art where models had nothing on but black duct tape. Words are not enough to share with you the feeling of exhilaration one experienced as each model walked down the runway with merely a few studs of small thin black duct tapes on their bodies in place of bikinis. The suspense could be felt in the air as each model strut the runway piquing enough curiosity to leave the rest to the imagination! Coming from an untrained fashionista-eye, to put it simply in words to describe what one saw was “body, volume, and elegance.” Not only was Drakhan Blackhart found on the runway amongst the crowd of models emerging on the stage, but you could also find him from time to time, hand-applying studs on some of the models transforming their swimwear before our very own eyes to a bigger and a more grandiose style of vision than ever before. As a first generation Cuban-American, Drakhan Blackhart’s personal life story is an inspiration not only to those within the fashion industry, but across the globe as he continues to expand and grow his inspiration across the world. Notable world renown artists he has worked with incude Maluma, Rick Ross, Afrojack. Blackhart has showcased some of his work at places such as EDC Vegas and Ultra Miami.

Kicking off Miami Swim Week powered by Art Hearts Fashion, the Fontainebleau Chateau Main Lobby was transformed into a runway stage used to debut Miami’s most favorite street graffiti artist, Alec Monopoly and global celebrity and hospitality mogul Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s exclusive and limited capsule edition of swimwear, resort and street wear called “ALEC x NOBU.” Emerging from the top of the grand “Stairs to Nowhere” staircase, you could see each model presenting the 30 different custom-designed runway looks with some featuring Alec’s signature logo and cartoon sushi art to represent a bit of what brought them both together. The party continued over at the Bleau Bar, where Alec took over the DJ booth with everyone gathering around to enjoy the music and dance for the rest of the night. A notable member of the community, owner and partner of “Papi Steak” Restaurant David “Papi” Einhorn, was found side by side with Alec Monopoly on the DJ booth while drawing in the crowd tighter and tighter.

Packed with back-to-back events which attracted some of the industry’s favorite designers, content creators, celebrities, and influencers, each and every night had something special to offer everyone including those who may be new to the whole world of fashion.

Branding in harmony with today’s current global demands, sustainability has been something that has been at the forefront of this year’s Miami Swim Week and to accentuate on that were swimwear fashion brands and collections from Coralee Swimwear, Liliana Montoya, Calibri Swimwear and Lovechell Swimwear at Miami Swim Week powered by Art Hearts Fashion. Alongside these sustainable swimwear fashion brands were some of the industry’s globally recognized beauty brands that sponsored the events by Art Hearts Fashion, including Vegan companies such as their official tanning partner, Tanologist and their official hair styling brand, Unite Hair. Other top sponsors include Billion Dollar Brows as their official makeup partner, and others such as Native SPA, Fade Masters of Miami, Empress 1904 Gin, Feel Great Be Great Lifestyle, Dr. Martens, The Friday People, and P&F Flower Farms and Rio Roses who produced and presented the flower arrangement installations.

Bringing together both veteran and emerging designers to the runway, a diverse collection was presented to the audience in different styles suitable to people of different shapes and sizes. In particular, while at Miami Swim Week: The Shows hosted at the SLS Hotel, one could find the founder of Love for Upcycle, photographer and designer Jose Alexzander, showcasing the top 12 best works of design students worldwide. Each of the design pieces were required to have 95 percent upcycled material “maintaining the sustainability ethics guiding all of Love for Upcycle fabrications”. Furthermore, serving as an incubator for emerging designers, another remarkable collection found on the runway of the event was the first ever South Asian-founded sustainable swimwear fashion brand Swana The Label by Australian Designer Swarnaa Rajalingam, known for “helping Brown Women connect with their bodies and culture.”

Many more notable swim brands presented their designs on the runway, such as Maaji (who was celebrating their 20th year anniversary) and Liberty & Justice who featured P Diddy’s twin daughters, Jessie and D’Lila Combs, also known as the Comb Twins. To mention a few more famous designers and brands present at “Miami Swim Week: The Shows” were Alvin Valley, Nicole Miller and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit who presented their exclusive collection at the W Hotel. A notable member of the community spotted present at the Sports Illustrated Show was Chef Brad Kilgore, Director of MaryGold’s Brasserie, Arlo Hotels, Pizza Freak Company, and The Concours Club.

With so much more to mention, simply said, this year’s “Miami Swim Week” was extraordinary over-the-top and awe inspiring for anyone who attended the shows. Scattered all across South Beach, one could discover different curated pop-ups and industry events, including wellness and fitness activation in venues including The Deck at Island Garden, the National Hotel, Nautilus by Arlo, Showfields, and Hyde Beach. From event to event, one runway show to the next, one after party after another at places like LIV Night Club, Club E11even and one thing is for sure: one week is not enough to experience all the fun the fashion industry has to bring to the public.

If you weren’t there, you only saw what was online and that unfortunately is the end of that story until the next year comes along. The moral of the story is: “be there or be square,” and being square is just not trending anymore. Or is it?

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Calibri Swimwear Designers and model close the runway for Calibri Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Designer Liliana Montoya and models close the runway for Liliana Montoya during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: A model walks the runway wearing Coralee Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Coralee Designer and models close the runway for Coralee Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Coralee Designer and models close the runway for Coralee Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Coralee Designer and models close the runway for Coralee Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Coralee Designer and models close the runway for Coralee Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Coralee Designer and models close the runway for Coralee Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Coralee Designer and models close the runway for Coralee Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Coralee Designer and models close the runway for Coralee Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Coralee Designer and models close the runway for Coralee Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Calibri Swimwear Designers and model close the runway for Calibri Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Calibri Swimwear Designers and model close the runway for Calibri Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Calibri Swimwear Designers and model close the runway for Calibri Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Designer Liliana Montoya and models close the runway for Liliana Montoya during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: A model walks the runway wearing Lovechell Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: A model walks the runway wearing Lovechell Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: A model walks the runway wearing Lovechell Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: A model walks the runway wearing Lovechell Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: A model walks the runway wearing Lovechell Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: A model walks the runway wearing Lovechell Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: A model walks the runway wearing Lovechell Swimwear during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
Maaji Show (Photo by Thomas Concordia/Getty Images for Miami Swim Week - The Shows)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 09: Designer Alex Abraham walks the runway wearing Bikini Beach Australia during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 09, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 09: Designer Alex Abraham walks the runway wearing Bikini Beach Australia during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 09, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
Black Tape Project At Miami Swim Week Powered By Art Hearts Fashion (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: A model walks the runway wearing Black Tape Project during Miami Swim Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 07, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Designer Liliana Montoya and models close the runway for Liliana Montoya during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Designer Liliana Montoya and models close the runway for Liliana Montoya during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Designer Liliana Montoya and models close the runway for Liliana Montoya during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Designer Liliana Montoya and models close the runway for Liliana Montoya during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Designer Liliana Montoya and models close the runway for Liliana Montoya during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Designer Liliana Montoya and models close the runway for Liliana Montoya during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Designer Liliana Montoya and models close the runway for Liliana Montoya during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Designer Liliana Montoya and models close the runway for Liliana Montoya during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Designer Liliana Montoya and models close the runway for Liliana Montoya during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Designer Liliana Montoya and models close the runway for Liliana Montoya during Miami Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at Fontainebleau Hotel on July 08, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)

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The Wharf Fort Lauderdale Is Going Full Halloween, and We Want In!

Published

21 hours ago

October 14, 2026

McKaela Lulic

Horror movie villains on Friday, disco skeletons on Saturday, and two nights of Halloween chaos we absolutely cannot miss.

October 14, 2026

Okay, Fort Lauderdale, Halloween weekend is looking GOOD.

The Wharf Fort Lauderdale is giving us not one, but TWO completely different Halloween parties this year, and honestly, choosing between them feels unfair. One night we’re running from horror movie villains, and the next we’re dancing under disco balls with skeletons. What more could we possibly want?

Whether you’re the type who lives for a good scare or just wants an excuse to wear something outrageous and dance all night, The Wharf has plans for you.

And yes, we’re already thinking about costumes.

Friday, October 30: Slasher Drive-In

Remember when horror movies were all about creepy drive-in theaters, questionable decisions, and someone inevitably running in the wrong direction?

Well, The Wharf is bringing that energy back with Slasher Drive-In, an old-school horror-inspired Halloween party that sounds equal parts terrifying and ridiculously fun.

The venue is transforming into a vintage-style drive-in movie theater, complete with a throwback concession stand serving movie-night snacks.

Cute, right?

Except there’s one tiny problem.

Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Ghostface, and Leatherface are all on the guest list.

Yes, the horror icons themselves will be roaming around the venue throughout the night, so maybe think twice before wandering off alone.

We love a good Halloween theme, but this one sounds like you’re stepping straight into your favorite slasher movie. Except instead of screaming at the characters on screen, you might actually be the one doing the screaming.

And honestly? We’re kind of into it.

Saturday, October 31: ‘Til Death Do Us Party

Now THIS is our kind of afterlife.

On Halloween night, The Wharf is trading horror movie scares for a full-blown disco takeover with ‘Til Death Do Us Party, where Studio 54 meets the great beyond.

Think glitter, mirror balls, disco skeletons, fabulous costumes, and a dance floor that refuses to rest in peace.

It’s spooky, it’s glamorous, and it’s giving us every reason to break out the sequins.

There will also be a costume contest, plenty of photo opportunities, and a special menu of $12 Halloween cocktails, because what’s a disco in the afterlife without a little something spooky to sip?

We’re picturing outrageous outfits, sparkly accessories, and a whole lot of dancing. If you’ve been saving a dramatic Halloween look for the perfect occasion, this might be it.

And can we just appreciate a Halloween party that doesn’t make us choose between looking fabulous and embracing the spooky season?

So, Which Night Are We Going?

Here’s the thing. We genuinely cannot decide.

Friday is for horror movie lovers who want to hang out with the villains they’ve spent years being terrified of.

Saturday is for the disco queens, costume enthusiasts, and anyone who believes Halloween should involve a little glitter and a lot of dancing.

Our solution? Both. Obviously.

Halloween only comes around once a year, and The Wharf Fort Lauderdale is making a pretty convincing case for clearing the entire weekend.

So call your friends, start planning those costumes, and prepare for two nights that sound way too fun to stay home for.

Because whether you’re running from Ghostface or dancing with the dead, one thing’s for sure: Fort Lauderdale isn’t going to be boring this Halloween.

The Halloween Weekend Details

Where: The Wharf Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Friday, October 30: Slasher Drive-In, featuring horror movie characters, drive-in theater vibes, and movie-night snacks.

Saturday, October 31: ‘Til Death Do Us Party, featuring a Halloween disco, costume contest, photo ops, and $12 specialty cocktails.

The vibe: A little spooky, a little fabulous, and absolutely worth getting dressed up for.

Events

Regatta Grove Is Getting Spooky, and Fangtasia Might Be Our Favorite Halloween Plan Yet!

Published

21 hours ago

October 14, 2026

McKaela Lulic

Vampire vibes, waterfront cocktails, and two nights of Halloween fun on Biscayne Bay? We’re so in.

Okay, Miami, THIS is the kind of Halloween we’re talking about.

Picture this: you’re sipping a cocktail by the water, the sun is setting over Biscayne Bay, there’s a breeze coming off the water, and suddenly your favorite waterfront hangout has entered its vampire era.

Welcome to Fangtasia at Regatta Grove, where Halloween meets Miami’s favorite kind of night out.

Taking over Regatta Grove on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, Fangtasia is bringing a darker, moodier twist to the waterfront spot we already love. And honestly, vampires and cocktails by the bay? We’re listening.

There’s something about Regatta Grove that makes an ordinary night feel like a mini vacation. The waterfront views, the open air, the tropical atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you show up for a drink and somehow lose track of time.

Now imagine all of that with a spooky Halloween twist.

Fangtasia is bringing the Halloween spirit to Coconut Grove without losing the laid-back coastal charm that makes Regatta Grove so much fun in the first place.

Think mysterious waterfront vibes, wicked cocktails, and the perfect excuse to embrace your dark side for the evening.

And can we talk about how good a vampire-inspired Halloween party sounds against a Miami sunset?

We’re already obsessed with the idea.

Listen, we love a haunted house. We love a good Halloween party. But there’s something especially appealing about celebrating spooky season with a cocktail in hand and Biscayne Bay as your backdrop.

No need to choose between your favorite Miami waterfront hangout and getting into the Halloween spirit. Fangtasia is giving us both.

Whether you’re going all out with your costume or just looking for somewhere fun to spend Halloween weekend, this is the kind of plan that’s easy to get excited about.

And with two nights to choose from, there’s really no excuse not to get a little fang-tastic.

If your Halloween group chat is still full of “What are we doing?” messages, consider this your answer.

Regatta Grove is already one of those places we love finding an excuse to visit, and throwing a vampire-inspired celebration into the mix just makes it better.

Grab your favorite people, embrace the spooky season, and make your way to Coconut Grove for a Halloween weekend with a little bite.

Because really, who wouldn’t want to spend Halloween sipping cocktails by the bay?

Fangtasia at Regatta Grove

Where: Regatta Grove, Coconut Grove, Miami

When: Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 2026

The Vibe: Moody waterfront Halloween fun, wicked cocktails, and a vampire-inspired twist on a Miami favorite.

Our take? Halloween by the water with a little vampire energy sounds like a pretty perfect night to us.

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Zéya 100k

Published

3 weeks ago

September 26, 2026

McKaela Lulic

The Miami born app celebrated a major milestone with a seriously fun South Florida party, but 100,000 downloads are only part of what’s next.

September 26, 2026

Zéya had plenty to celebrate, and they definitely knew how to throw a party.

The Miami-born swapping app recently marked 100,000 downloads, and SFL Insider joined the celebration for a night that felt much more like a fun Miami get-together than a typical tech event.

The atmosphere was lively, social, and genuinely welcoming, which actually made a lot of sense once we learned more about what Zéya is trying to build. This isn’t supposed to be another faceless marketplace where you post something and hope a stranger buys it. Zéya wants swapping to feel social, easy and connected to your community.

And after spending the evening celebrating with the people behind it, that part of the concept clicked.

Because we all have stuff.

The dress you wore once. The bag you loved until you didn’t. The camera you were definitely going to learn how to use. The random purchase that seemed necessary at the time and has barely moved since.

Zéya’s question is pretty simple: Why keep buying more when someone nearby might want exactly what you already have?

Even better, the app is now getting ready to move beyond swapping just things.

Services are coming too.

And that could make Zéya a whole lot more interesting.

– Creative Director & Strategist: Kateryna Brovkova — @kate.directs – Event Photo & Video Coverage: Yoisker Palmi — @yoiskr7 – Zéya Team: Zéya — @zeya_app – Sounds by: Lacré Studios — @studioslacre

Swipe. Match. Swap.

The easiest way to describe Zéya is old school bartering with a very modern makeover.

You browse what’s available nearby, see something you want and connect with the person who has it.

Then you offer something of your own.

Swipe. Match. Swap.

If the values don’t quite line up, Zéya allows an optional cash top-up to help make the trade work. And now, you don’t necessarily have to swap at all.

Zéya’s new cash-only option is officially live, meaning users can purchase an item directly when they find something they want. That’s a pretty significant shift for an app that started with swapping at its core. You can still trade, add cash to balance out a swap, or now skip the trade altogether and simply buy.

In other words, Zéya is starting to look less like a traditional bartering app and more like a flexible local marketplace where you decide how you want to make the deal.

100,000 Downloads Is a Pretty Big Deal

Zéya has now officially surpassed 100,000 downloads across iOS and Android, an exciting milestone for a company that started right here in Miami.

Founder and CEO Mehdi Taifi sees that number as something bigger than just downloads.

“One hundred thousand downloads is exciting because it shows that swapping can become a real habit, not a last resort,” Taifi said.

That idea stuck with me.

We’re so used to thinking buy when we want something new. Zēya is trying to get us to think swap first.

Earlier this year, the company also closed a $2.45 million strategic growth round led by Storage Innovations LLC, helping support its next stage of development.

Judging by the energy at the celebration, Zéya certainly isn’t treating 100K like a finish line.

– Zéya Team: Zéya — @zeya_app – Founder: Mehdi Taifi — @medimeds – Event Photo & Video Coverage: Yoisker Palmi — @yoiskr7

Zēya 4.0 Makes the Whole Thing Easier

The company has also rolled out Zéya 4.0, designed to make getting from “I want that” to actually completing a swap much faster.

One of my favorite additions is the AI Listing Assistant, mostly because writing listings is probably the least exciting part of selling anything online.

Take a photo, upload it, and the app can generate the item name, description, and category in seconds.

Done.

The update also adds chat before making an offer, group chat, and a visual balance meter that makes it easier to see whether a proposed swap feels fair.

Zéya has expanded its categories too, including Baby & Toddler and Sports & Outdoors.

So that barely used handbag has value.

But so do the golf clubs in the garage.

And Now Zēya Is Moving Beyond Stuff

This might be my favorite part of what’s coming next.

Zéya is adding services.

That changes the whole idea of what you can bring to a swap.

Maybe you don’t have a designer bag to trade, but you’re an amazing photographer.

Maybe you tutor.

Maybe you’re a personal trainer, stylist, graphic designer, pet sitter or the magical person who actually knows how to organize a closet.

Your skills have value too.

The full details of how services will work are still to come, but opening Zēya to services takes it beyond simple bartering. It becomes more about exchanging value, whether that value happens to be sitting in your closet or comes from something you know how to do.

And suddenly the possibilities get much bigger.

It All Feels Very Miami

Maybe that’s another reason I enjoyed the celebration so much.

Zéya feels very Miami.

It’s social. It’s stylish. It’s a little entrepreneurial. And it revolves around discovering something you want without necessarily paying full price for it.

We can absolutely get behind that.

The party reflected that same energy. People were mingling, talking about the app and celebrating what is clearly a big moment for the team, but it never felt overly corporate or stuffy. It felt like a community celebrating something that started locally and is beginning to grow.

That seems especially fitting for a company that wants its marketplace to feel like a community too.

Swap, Don’t Shop

There is an obvious sustainability benefit to giving perfectly good things another life instead of constantly buying new ones.

But Zéya doesn’t make that feel like a lecture.

The appeal is much simpler.

You have things you don’t use. Someone else wants them. And chances are, they have something you want too.

Add AI-assisted listings, local discovery, cash top-ups, cash-only purchases, community features, and soon the ability to exchange services, and it starts looking very different from the bartering most of us remember.

Zéya’s tagline is “Swap Don’t Shop.”

After a fun night celebrating 100,000 downloads and getting a closer look at where the Miami company is headed next, we’re curious to see just how far people are willing to take that idea.

Because if swapping can be this easy and this social, maybe we really don’t need to buy everything new.

CHECK OUT ZEYA HERE