Editor in Chief Cassandra Wallace journey to Miami Swim Week – SwimSet Show.
Walking in Miami Swim Week was a dream of mine. I reached out to as many swim designers I could find who had previously had their line showcased in Miami Swim Week. I told them I was doing a photo shoot for the World Class Bikini Models Magazine and my dream was to walk in Miami Swim Week and I would love to wear their line in the photoshoot and feature them in the magazine. I didn’t think I would hear back from anyone, but surprisingly two designers agreed to send me bikinis to wear for the photoshoot. I then did a bunch of research and found a photographer in Los Angeles, James Santiago who has been the photographer for many Sports Illustrated photoshoots and lined up a shoot. The designers who sent me their bikinis were Bandeau NY and We Party Swim Wear.
Connecting and talking to We Party Swim Wear’s designer, Bryan Zagury he recommend that I participate in the Miss Bikini US competition because a perk of the contest was that the contestants got to walk in the opening show for Miami Swim Week the SwimSet Show. I took his advice and became Miss Bikini WA Fitness.
My experience at the SwimSet Show was as follows, a bright and early morning consisting of hair and makeup starting at 4am which meant I had to be up out of bed by 3:45am. My hair and makeup was done by Yadira Amador and her amazing team. I have always wanted to try a certain hairstyle out but figured my hair was not long or thick enough to try it out. Yadira worked her magic and with my extensions was able to pull off a fierce look and the one I had wanted to try out.
The show had 14 designers participating in it. Fittings consisted of a ballroom filled with 14 stations, one for each designer. Each model was to pick a bikini and try it on and then go walk in front of Dawn Rochelle Warner (show producer) and Lindsay Skinner (reginal pageant director) they then would make the determination if the bikini was a good style fit, color fit, and overall good look for that particular model. Additionally, each model had to consider which designer was in what order in the show to allow enough time to change bikinis in between designers. This was a little chaotic with so many models. Some models had to try on bikinis 4 or 5 times before they found one that was approved. Luckily for me, my past pageant experience and my bikini modeling experience came in handy and I knew exactly the cut and colors that worked best for my skin complexion and body type and I was able to get my bikini’s on the first try.
The designers I walked for in the show were Hot Hawaii, Hidden Talent, Luna Swimwear, We Party Swimwear, Sydney Sue Swim, and Chix It.
The show took place on the third floor pool of the Miami Hilton Cabana. The stage was beautiful. The sunset and ocean was in the background and the stage was elevated and next to the pool. Some of the designers were in attendance and some were not. The nice perk was that ALL the designers allowed the models to keep the bikini’s they walked in during the show. I especially love this because it sets the stage for future collaborations and marketing for the designer.
Red is my favorite color and I was thrilled when the designer of Hot Hawaii picked a red bikini for me to wear. It was a string bikini and the cut fit me perfectly. This designer has a mix of string and triangle bikini tops in the collection along with traditional Hawaiian floral print designs. I enjoyed the visual look of having every other model in a solid and every other model in a floral print.
Next, I walked for Hidden Talent in a green floral print bikini. The top of this bikini was so unique and original that while it took me a minute to figure out how it went on, it was super cute once I figured it out. All of the bikinis in this line truly look original and have a unique flare to them.
Luna’s Swimwear my bikini was a Brazilian cut animal print. I am totally partial to both that cut and that design pattern. This is definitely my new favorite bikini. I felt so fierce and confidence wearing this bikini. This line is handmade with love in Columbia. This is Miami and Colombia’s minimal swim brand.
We Party Swimwear I wore a sea foam two piece that was high wasted and the top reminded me of a low cut sports bra. It’s a different look than I would normally pick but it was fun to showcase something different and I enjoyed the challenge of posing in something new. As the name implies this is meant to be a party and fun line and it most certainly is.
Sydney Sue Swim I wore a hot pink bikini with under boob cut. Not going to lie, totally felt like a Barbie doll with the color and cut. This line specializes in being casual and fun and I think this suit embodied that essence.
Chix It I wore a bikini that was solid white with the words “Chix It” written in black. This line is unique in that it is meant for the bikini to be worn in multiple different ways. One bikini and endless possibility of styles. It was nice to see the different ways the various models switched up this look.
The changing room was a ballroom on the ground level of the hotel. The SwimSet show was on the third floor of the hotel and the models were told not to use the elevators because they would be too slow. The route from the ballroom consisted of a long hallway through the lobby that led outside. Once outside you were next to the bar filled with people and the exit from the lower pool. Which meant that the path was covered in water and very slippery. Next you rounded the corner and then it was up three flights of stairs to the show. Remember I said I walked for seven designers that means I went up three flights of stairs seven times, down three flights of stairs seven times so during a show that lasted a little over an hour I went up 21 flight of stairs and down 21 flights of stairs.
I kept thinking that I was the comic relief for everyone in the bar as they would see this girl in a bikini sprinting in 6 inch stilettos who right as I came into their full view would hit the water patches and power slide to the edge grab the railing and turn the corner. I also laughed when one of the press asked how I always remained so “dewy” looking at the runway. Nope, no dew or oil like models usually use, I was sweaty.
I’m still collaborating with many of the designers and I have photoshoots lined up and modeling opportunities with several of them. The photographers who captured the event I am in contact with and continuing to work on future projects with. World Class Bikini Models Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing write up! Write up by Cassandra Wallace Editor in Chief of World Class Bikini Models Magazine. Derek Tokarzewski Owner of World Class Bikini Models Magazine.
Cassandra Wallace Editor in Chief in Miami Swim Week – SwimSet Show, World Class Bikini Models Magazine, Photo by Gary Hufham, Designer: Luna Swimwear
Cassandra Wallace Editor in Chief in Miami Swim Week – SwimSet Show, World Class Bikini Models Magazine, Photo by Gary Hufham, Designer: Hot Hawaii
Cassandra Wallace Editor in Chief in Miami Swim Week – SwimSet Show, World Class Bikini Models Magazine, Photo by Gary Hufham, Designer: We Party Swimwear
Cassandra Wallace Editor in Chief in Miami Swim Week – SwimSet Show, World Class Bikini Models Magazine, Photo by Gary Hufham, Designer: Hidden Talent
Derek Tokarzewski Owner of World Class Brand Publishing Mr WorldClass 2022 Mr United Nations 2018 Mr USA United Nations 2017 Platform: Empowerment
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