Press Releases

Students and Graduates from Miami International University of Art & Design Dive Into Fashion Swim Week - 25 Students to Showcase their Swim Wear and Resort Collections

- 25 Students to Showcase their Swim Wear and Resort Collections 

[Miami, FL June 24, 2015] – Fashion students and recent graduates from Miami International University of Art & Design will exhibit their skills and creativity with a swim wear and resort collection runway show. Part of this year’s Fashion Swim Week, the show will take place under the Funkshion Fashion Tent on 21st and Collins in Miami Beach on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 1pm. 

This marks the first year that Miami International University of Art & Design has partnered with Funkshion Swim Week to provide a career-starting platform for up-and-coming designers. To earn the honor of showing their collections, the 25 designers competed against fellow students and graduates and were selected based on their finished garment. 

A number of the designers changed careers to pursue their passion for fashion including French born, Virginie Fallon Romier who after working in finance most of her career and raising three teenage sons decided to take a chance on her passion and is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design. For her swimwear collection, Virginie started her process with research and trend forecasts and was quickly drawn to neon colors and vinyl as a reflection of Miami Beach and the music conferences that take place in the Spring. “The visceral trend immediately reminded me of Ultra Music Festival, the Music Conference and the many pool parties in Miami Beach – all perfect for elaborate swimwear,” says Virginie Fallon Romier. 

Ximena Lopez also changed gears after obtaining an Associate of Arts in Business Administration to pursue her passion. Born in Peru, Lopez comes from an artistic family and always doubted her own creativity. After working in business, she realized that the business side of the world was not her true passion or calling. With a business degree in hand, she decided to shift career paths and pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design. For her Swim Week design, she pushed herself way outside her comfort zone by designing menswear. Her vision for this design was to create a high-tech, futuristic active wear garment that was suitable for swimming. 

Several students were asked to design more than one garment for the show including Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design student Stephanie Castanon whose collection includes both women and menswear. Her menswear look consists of a bright floral design, which then color-blocks into a black and white floral print with stripe detailing, all printed on silk fabrics. She uses silk organza to add a sheer element that also serves to provide breathability to the garment for the summer heat. Her woman’s wear swimsuit consists of a two-piece mesh-neoprene and ultra mesh that imitates the sheer organza used in the menswear piece. The cover up is made of reversible sequins that changes from bright, iridescent colors, to black upon brushing your hand through it. 

“We are so proud of the swim wear and resort collections our students have created and are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase their creativity, skills and talents in our very own show for Swim Week this year,” says Charlene Parsons, director of Fashion programs at Miami International University of Art & Design.  

 Images available upon request. To request accommodations in connection with this event, contact the Fashion Department in advance at 305.428-5839.

Miami International University of Art & Design is one of The Art Institutes, a system of private, non-profit schools throughout the United States. Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. Miami International University of Art & Design, 1501 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33132-1418 © 2019. The Arts Institutes international LLC. All rights reserved.