Miami Swim Week is back - and this year it's earned praise for its inclusivity. Photo / Getty Images
Miami Swim Week is back - and this year it's earned praise for its inclusivity. Photo / Getty Images
After missing out on Miami Swim Week last year, the annual swimwear showcase is back and it's truly a reason to rejoice.
In previous years the catwalk has been criticised for having a lack of diversity – but this year's event has been praised for being "inclusive", with runway shows featuring women of diverse body types, ages and races.
The Sport Illustrated show, held at the luxury Mondrian Hotel over the weekend included plus-sized models, mums and the "oldest/shortest Sports Illustrated rookie ever" – 57-year-old model Kathy Jacobs.
Jacobs took to Instagram after the show to tell followers it is "never too late" after walking in a yellow two-piece on Saturday as well as a nude bikini.
"This is what runway domination at 57 years old and 5'2" [157cm] tall looks like on the surface," she wrote.
"What you don't see are the years of hundreds of rejections, discipline, heartbreak and balls to the wall perseverance behind what it took to be in this short video!"
Plus-size model Amanda Kay also walked in the infamous show, wearing a show-stopping pink one-piece, and fellow body positive advocate Natalie Gage took to the runway in a pink, off-the-shoulder bikini.
Body positive ambassador and plus-size model Amanda Kay appeared in the 2021 Sports Illustrated runway show at Miami Swim Week. Photo / Getty Images
Women were quick to praise the show, with "body confidence" influencer Alex Light, taking to social media to share what "this type of representation means for so many".
"Imagine if we had all grown up seeing images more like this from the catwalk?" she wrote.
Women of all shapes flaunted their figures. Photo / Getty Images
"Women of different shapes and sizes, not just one type of beauty that was highly unattainable for most women.
"I hazard a guess that body image would not be as bad as it is right now. Don't you?"
She stated that although the show wasn't "perfect" it was a sign the fashion industry was "getting there – slowly but surely".
Social media lit up in support. Photo / Getty Images
Comments on her post lit up, with many sharing the joy at seeing "curves" at the event.
"It would have changed the GAME for body image," one agreed.
"I love this," another wrote.
"Makes me sad that this isn't the 'norm' and it bloody well should be, they look flippin' awesome," someone else added.
Similar messages were shared on the Sports Illustrated Swim Instagram account, with many thanking the long-running magazine brand for "young women everywhere".
Fans loved seeing real curves at the event. Photo / Getty Images
Other brands have followed suit, with global e-tailer PrettyLittleThing featuring 28 models "of all shapes, sizes and walks of life" as part of the brand's commitment to be "truly committed to inclusivity".
Global e-tailer PrettyLittleThing featured 28 models 'of all shapes, sizes and walks of life' in the show. Photo / Getty Images
19-year-old former gymnast Anna Sarol went down the runway in her wheelchair. Photo / Getty Images
The show included transgender stars, pregnant models, disability activists, plus-size models as well as influencers and socialites wearing swimwear designs available in sizes 4-30.
Australian model Gabby Epstein walked in the show wearing an orange bikini with matching strappy heels.
Fitness influencer Bruna Lima – who is eight months pregnant – walked in the budget brand's runway show minus her shoes alongside 19-year-old Anna Sarol, who went down the runway in her wheelchair.
In 2015, the former gymnast fell on the uneven bars, which left her paralysed from the waist down.
Transgender star Tokyo Stylez, known for styling Cardi B's hair, and RuPaul's Drag Race star Gia Gunn also walked for the show.
Fashion fans praised the event for 'changing the game' for body image. Photo / Getty Images
Aussie label Honey Birdette also had two queens from the iconic TV show on its runway, with Violet Chachki and Aquaria wearing the label's provocative designs.
"I always get asked, 'Who's your demographic?' but I don't believe in demographics anymore," brand founder Eloise Monaghan said.
Honey Birdette's 2021 swim collection features styles in red, black, leopard and neon, with gold medallions and contoured cut-outs.
The designs have also been constructed using Italian eco fabric made from recycled materials and plastics recovered from the Mediterranean Sea.
Kylie Jenner, Cardi B and Paris Hilton are all fans of Honey Birdette, which was this month bought by Playboy's parent company PLBY Group for $445 million.
