The other side of Miami Swim Week
- Simply.Jash
- Jul 31, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 5, 2019
I can still remember my excitement when I received my first RSVP confirmation to one of the "invite only" events. For anyone that doesn't know, "Miami Swim Week" is a week full of networking, cocktail events and runway shows with the latest swimwear, summer fashion and trends to which the most exclusive ones are by invite only. I don't know if it was "Mercury retrograde", but it didn't go as I was expecting; reality check! So keep reading if you want to know how my first swim week went!
DAY 1
The day was here and I was ready! Imagine this...the dress I ordered online arrived on time, and it fit perfect! I got the most amazing statement earrings and the cutest contrasting top handle bag which I found a couple of days earlier. I started driving down and this is where everything took a 360° turn, it took me an hour to get to South Beach! When I got there, another 20 minutes to find parking. I start walking towards the tent... sweating, makeup melting and hair getting frizzy because of the Miami heat and humidity and I see the really long line to go in. I decided to go to the hostess, I ask her about the runway show, and my biggest fear became a reality... she says "I am sorry but that's over"and she turned around and left. The friends I was planning to meet were gone to another event I didn't have rsvp to, so at this point I wanted to cry. I couldn't believe this is how my first Swim Week event had gone, but that was my reality. I thought "well, there is tomorrow", so even though I was sad, I remained positive and headed home.
What I didn't know, is how Day 2 was about to turn out...
DAY 2
Statement Earrings & Bracelet: Naika
On the second day, Saturday, I decided to go to a cocktail event first to ensure I would be early in the area for the show. I wore a colorful, tropical print maxi dress, and beautiful handmade statement earrings from Joyeria Naika (a Colombian brand) for Artbition. (See image below for the full look)
The cocktail event was at the Shore Club Hotel beach house. They had a DJ, open bar, a swimwear showcase, and live entertainment, plus my friends were there so it was a lot of fun. Everything was going perfect until I left and arrived at the Art Hearts Fashion runway event at Faena Forum. I was so excited to go because they were having five different designers that day. I get there and I see a lot of people standing in front with a "lost" look on their faces. Then someone comes out and explains they had an electrical circuit issue and the building had lost electricity. I started laughing out loud! HAHAHAHA!...I couldn't believe out of all the shows, and all the days this was happening to the show I was trying to go! They said it would take around 30 minutes to fix, therefore they were going to do the registration so when it was fixed, everybody could go in. I am pretty understanding, they were serving water meanwhile, so I decided to stay and wait. The show was supposed to start at 7pm, thankfully was able to kill some time while waiting with a videographer friend taking pictures and a video of my outfit. However, after two hours and a half waiting without any update, seeing some people that obviously were working the show (with carry-ons, bags and badges) leaving, I had enough and decided to leave. What upset me the most was the event organizers not saying anything and making everybody wait for hours, so unprofessional! Hopefully they learn from this event and have a plan "b" or at least communicate with the attendees.
Once again, I headed home all dressed up without seeing a show.
DAY 3
This was the last day of Miami Swim Week for me. What can I tell you, I did not want to go anywhere and wanted to stay in bed! However, thanks to a friend that insisted in me going, I decided to give one last chance to Swim Week and I am so glad I did, because it was the best day and it made up for the other days! Let me tell you about it...
Statement Earrings: Suheima
First I decided to go to the beach so I could get in the water and wash away the Mercury Retrograde bad energy I was having! (If you believe in energy like me, you understand why I did this LOL) ...and I guess it worked!
I arrived at Brickell City Centre and met with my friend Dainys, we went straight into the Giuseppe Zanotti cocktail event at their store, where we met two more friends. They had live DJ Paperwater, an open bar, a great vibe and the showcase of their gorgeous shoe collections. However, it seems as if my friend got the bad retrograde energy, because her dress tore! We ran to Zara but the store was closed already, so she had to leave. The lesson we learned and a tip to you: have a traveling sewing kit in your bag at all times!
After an hour at the cocktail event, the girls and I decided to do the line for the runway show, which was going to happen in the middle of one of Brickell City Center streets that was closed off for the show. It was a bit hectic because the show was about to start, but we managed to get in. Some of the girls sat in the second row, while two other girls and I were standing behind. Here is where things got good!...a lady that was working the event came to the three of us that were standing and told us to follow her, we did and we ended in first row at the Maaji Swimwear show! Take that Mercury retrograde!
Check the video below if you want to see clips of the show.
Statement Earrings: Suheima | Chainbelt: Michael Kors & Amazon
This was my first official show after all the others failed, and let me tell you it was amazing! This was not your typical "model walking down the runway without even a smile". It was upbeat, full of energy and so entertaining! The models danced down the runway with beautiful colorful pieces, gymnasts did acrobats in between and dancers did a fun and sexy choreography.
Needless to say, Day 3 made my Swim Week experience despite all the impediments I encountered the days before. The reason I wanted to share the unpleasant part of my experience, is because all you see in social media is the beautiful pictures and videos of the fashion, the shows and events. I don't think many people show the other side of things that really happen "behind the scenes".
This was definitely a reminder to myself to stay positive, don't give up and try again! Because that's what life's about!
Much Love,
Jash
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