The once-prestigious Miami Swim Week was branded ‘trashy’ by industry insiders earlier this month after several racist runway shows divided critics.
A source speaking to The Daily Telegraph this week condemned the annual event.
‘There’s no doubt that the designs are getting racier and racier every year, but this week the Miami swim pics are ridiculously boarding,’ says the insider.
‘One, there’s no way anyone would wear these designs and two it made a mockery of what was once considered the biggest swimwear show in the world and was quite prestigious.’
The publication reported that several Aussie models and brands were excluded from the event this year.
Miami Swim Week has been branded ‘trashy’ by industry insiders, as the ‘duct tape bikini’ trend that left models walking the runway almost naked divided the fashion world: ‘It’s almost ridiculous’. A model is pictured on the runway at the Black Tape Project show on July 7
‘There’s no way anyone would wear these designs and make a mockery of two events that were once considered the biggest swimwear show in the world and were quite prestigious,’ said an insider.
Insiders called Swim Week ‘trashy,’ ‘indecent’ and ‘offensive.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Miami Swim Week for comment, regarding this article.
It comes after an outrageous show made headlines at the once-prestigious fashion event.
The Black Tape Project presentation on July 7 pushed the boundaries of anything seen before, with models walking the runway completely naked except for strategically placed strips of body tape.
A number of Aussie models and brands have reportedly been dropped from the event this year. However, Aussie model Luciana Bannon strutted her stuff as she strutted the catwalk for Ima Savahi at Swim Week (Luciana is pictured).
The Black Tape Project is the brainchild of Cuban-American creative Joel Alvarez, who rose from poverty to become one of his country’s most provocative designers.
While the highly revealing designs won praise from attendees and the wider fashion world, the runway show was criticized for the models’ lack of physical diversity.
‘I am confused. Wasn’t the Victoria’s Secret runway show canceled because of unattainable body shapes among the models?’ A reviewer wrote.
‘How could this be a fashion show? I don’t understand the fashion world.’
A runway presentation of the Black Tape Project sparked Miami Swim Week on July 7
The catwalk show pushed boundaries beyond anything seen before, with models walking the runway completely naked except for strips of strategically placed body tape.
After pictures of the catwalk presentation went viral on social media, one Instagram user said it was a ‘great show’ but asked, ‘Where’s the body diversity?’
Another commented: ‘All models look the same.’
Despite criticism of the lack of plus-size models, many fashionistas supported the envelope-pushing show, with one simply commenting: ‘Speechless.’
Another added: ‘Everyone’s jaws must be on the floor!’ A third said: ‘What a show.’
While the highly revealing designs drew praise from attendees and the wider fashion world, the runway show was criticized for the models’ lack of physical diversity.
After pictures of the catwalk presentation went viral on social media, one Instagram user said it was a ‘great show’ but asked, ‘Where’s the body diversity?’
The Black Tape Project is the brainchild of Cuban-American creative Joel Alvarez (center), who overcame poverty to become one of his country’s most provocative designers.
Alvarez sells rolls of his signature body tape in a variety of colors on his website.
The most basic black hue starts at $9.99 a roll, while more vibrant options — including metallic golds, blues and pinks — cost up to $29.99 each.
But Alvarez doesn’t limit his art form to runway models.
He was previously invited to Vienna to film legendary supercars – the Ferrari 488 Spider and the Lamborghini Urus – at the Gumball 3000 road rally.
Despite criticism of the lack of plus-size models, many fashionistas supported the envelope-pushing show, with one simply commenting: ‘Speechless’
Alvarez sells rolls of his signature body tape in a variety of colors on his website. A black roll starts at $9.99 a roll, while more vibrant options cost up to $29.99 each.