With new leadership and expanded programming, the platform moves beyond the runway into something more immersive. The shows will take place from May 25 through May 31, 2026, at the Mondrian South Beach.
MIAMI, FLORIDA —There’s always been a certain heat to Miami Swim Week® – The Shows; it’s a medley that captures the unique combination of ocean air, the flash of a camera, and the promise of what’s about to step onto the runway. This season, however, will feel different. Just months after the unexpected passing of its founder, Moh Ducis, the event is making a comeback at Mondrian South Beach Miami, not only as a spectacle but also as a turning point.
Ducis launched Miami Swim Week® – The Shows in 2020, following the earlier founding of DC Swim Week in Washington, D.C. in 2015. He also led Black Knight Events, an event design and production company he established in 2014 before relocating to Miami.
What began as a local platform for swim and resort wear will now carry a deeper weight: honoring a legacy while stepping into something undeniably bigger and global.
“In planning the 2026 shows, we are focusing on honoring Moh Ducis in an authentic & humble way,” said newly appointed CEO Sean Rashid. “He was a person who never craved attention and stayed away from the limelight.”
Rashid’s connection to Ducis also runs deeper than his current role. As a mentor and advisor from its very start, he witnessed firsthand the work that went into building the foundation of Miami Swim Week® – The Shows, and that experience informs how he approaches its next chapter.
SMART SWIMSUITS
“There was a clear moment when I realized that his vision was bigger than any one person—it was something that needed to continue and grow,” he said.
With this in mind, a short film will be streamed, bringing Ducis’ story to life in an emotional and immersive way, as the screening will be accompanied by a live violinist who will open the evening’s runway presentations.
At the same time, the event is stepping into a new level of scale. This season will feature nearly 50 designers from the UK, Colombia, Holland, Italy, Brazil, Australia, China, and beyond.
MARS THE LABEL
“Miami is uniquely positioned as a global crossroads of culture, fashion, and lifestyle. Its diverse international community and vibrant creative energy make it a natural hub for bringing the world together,” he said.
This global perspective is also reshaping the category itself. Swimwear is no longer confined to the beach, as it’s evolving into something more fluid and intersecting with resort and ready-to-wear pieces. Collections are increasingly designed to move across settings, reflecting how people are actually dressing and traveling nowadays.
LILA NIKOLE
“The swimwear category has been changing the industry by embracing slow fashion, offering pieces that can transition seamlessly from the beach throughout the day and all year-round,” said Miami Swim Week® – The Shows’ Fashion Event Director, Elizabeth Claros. “We achieve balance and individuality by starting with the designers’ unique visions and expressing them through compelling storytelling.”
The same shift can be seen in how the shows are being produced. This year, the largest LED screen ever used at a fashion show in the United States will be introduced, alongside expanded lighting, sound, and immersive elements.
“The decision was driven by a desire to elevate storytelling and create a more immersive show experience,” he said.
Yet, beyond the scale and production, there’s a more personal undercurrent driving the week forward.
“Since his passing, there’s been a deep emotional shift within the team—one rooted in loss, but also in purpose,” explained Rashid. “Creatively, that energy has evolved into something more intentional and driven. There’s a shared commitment to honor Moh’s vision by pushing boundaries while staying true to the values he built, which has brought a renewed sense of unity and focus to everything we do.”
The addition of SwimFit and Wellness Club programming, industry panels, and a direct-to-buyer experience at the Casa Hammock Showroom, located within the Mondrian Tower Suites, will reflect a broader shift in how fashion weeks are experienced, with fewer standalone events and more spaces for connection and conversation. As audiences seek deeper engagement, the format itself is evolving to meet these expectations.
“This initiative is highly significant for the event’s future, as it fosters stronger relationships with retail buyers and creates new opportunities for meaningful engagement and brands’ business growth,” said Claros.
By the time the week comes to a close, the goal is something that lasts beyond the shows themselves.
“With the addition of live performances, it’s about creating a fully immersive experience where fashion and entertainment come together, leaving a lasting emotional impact long after the shows end,” stated Rashid.
In a season shaped by both loss and momentum, Miami Swim Week is stepping into its next chapter since it’s one that feels less like a continuation and more like a reset.
“I want attendees to leave feeling inspired, energized, and deeply connected—to the creativity, culture, and global community that defines Miami Swim Week® – The Shows,” he expressed.
