Miami Fashion Week: A Curated Direct-to-Consumer Experience Reflecting South Beach Aesthetics
Originally published on Forbes.com
Miami Fashion Week (MIAFW) has distinguished itself from traditional fashion showcases by merging local talent, Latin American creativity, and globally renowned designers. Executive Director Lourdes Fernandez-Velasco, who has led the event since 2016, describes it as a "nucleus that brings it all together," embodying Miami’s eclectic and vibrant aesthetic and tropical flare.
"Miami is the melting pot of the Americas, and Miami Fashion Week reflects that," Fernandez-Velasco describes. This year’s lineup featured an exciting blend of Latin American designers and international icons such as Philipp Plein, Lafayette 148 NY, and Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, alongside local stars like Yas Gonzalez and Shantall Lacayo. This mix celebrates Miami’s cultural diversity while providing a global platform for its unique voice in fashion.
"The event has been around since 1998," Fernandez-Velasco shares. "When we took over [in 2016], our focus was on elevating and growing it into a more global platform while rebuilding the community aspect, which had been somewhat lost."
"In the beginning, we concentrated on raising awareness and capturing the attention of the media and the world. Since 2016, we’ve worked with the CFDA, sharing our vision—not as competition to New York Fashion Week but as a complement. Miami, while distinctly part of America, offers a unique perspective that complements New York."
She continues, "The CFDA added us to the important dates calendar, which was a huge milestone and gave us a big push. Since then, we’ve worked tirelessly, internationally and locally, to strengthen the fashion community here. Fashion in Miami is very fragmented—everything in Miami is, really—and that includes fashion."
Opening the week, Philipp Plein delivered an electrifying showcase of his Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Known for his bold and boundary-pushing designs, Plein’s collection blended high-fashion streetwear with luxury, featuring vibrant, statement-making pieces that emphasized individuality and self-expression. Following the runway show, an exclusive designer dinner provided an intimate space for Plein and VIP guests to celebrate, further cementing Miami’s role as a creative and cultural hub.
The week continued with an impressive roster of designers, including Gianinna Azar, Claro Couture, SIGAL, and Yenny Bastida. MIAFW also included its signature Summit, a platform for discussing the future of fashion and sustainability.
Unlike other fashion weeks primarily catering to industry insiders, MIAFW embraces Miami’s direct-to-consumer ethos. "The market here is more ‘we see it, we buy it,’" says Fernandez-Velasco. This immediacy resonates with South Beach’s lifestyle, where fashion integrates seamlessly with a culture of luxury and accessibility.
The event’s inclusive structure—featuring emerging local designers and internationally acclaimed brands—embodies Miami’s aspirational yet approachable nature. "It’s a balance of international, local, and Latin American voices," Fernandez-Velasco emphasizes, ensuring the event reflects the city’s multifaceted identity.
Since its relaunch in 2016, MIAFW has evolved from a regional event into a globally recognized fashion platform. Originally founded in 1998, the event’s modern iteration prioritizes elevating Miami’s local talent. Fernandez-Velasco envisions a future where MIAFW primarily showcases Miami-based designers, further solidifying the city’s fashion influence.
A major focus of this evolution is sustainability. "Sustainability is going to continue to grow," she notes, hinting at plans for an annual sustainability summit. Current partnerships with Miami-Dade County and local schools aim to position MIAFW as a catalyst for nurturing the city’s fashion industry.
This year’s Summit featured discussions on sustainability and heritage in modern fashion. Panels like Fashion Forward: Rethinking Fashion for a Sustainable Future included experts such as Vanessa Sanchez (CEO of VerdeVive), Yadira Díaz (Founder of EcoEmpower), and Taryn Hipwell (Founder of Beyond the Label). Another panel, Threads of Tradition: Merging Heritage and Sustainability in Modern Fashion, highlighted cultural artistry and eco-conscious design with speakers like Magali Mendez (Co-Founder of Artisan Collective), Yenny Bastida (Sustainable Fashion Leader), and Sigal Cohen (Textile Artist and Cultural Preservationist).
Every collection displayed embodied Miami’s spirit—from high couture and handcrafted artisan pieces to resort wear and edgy streetwear. "Miami has all these pockets, and we need to be inclusive of all of them," Fernandez-Velasco says. This ethos ensures the event resonates with diverse audiences while fostering community among designers and attendees within the Miami fashion ecosystem.
She explains, "Everything here is very spread out, and the fashion industry is no exception. There are so many people working on their own projects. I feel like we’ve become the nucleus that brings it all together. We’ve reached a point where local government and county institutions are finally paying attention. They’re starting to see that fashion is not just retail. If the right support is provided, Miami deserves to have a thriving fashion industry."
The disparity in Miami’s fashion scene lies in its unique, direct-to-consumer dynamic. The fragmented nature often pushes individuals and brands to operate independently, yet the market thrives on diversity. The city’s fast-paced, affluent lifestyle favors immediacy—people see something, and they buy it. This environment presents challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the need for initiatives that unify the scattered industry while embracing Miami’s distinctive approach to fashion consumption.
As MIAFW gears up for its 2025 edition, Fernandez-Velasco remains optimistic about its trajectory. "We’re working very hard to ensure Miami has a fashion week that reflects its unique identity," she concludes.
Miami Fashion Week is more than a runway—it’s a crossroads where culture, style, and community intersect in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. With a lineup of celebrated designers and a vision rooted in accessibility, sustainability, and innovation, MIAFW continues to define the South Beach aesthetic while championing Miami’s global fashion presence.