Inside Miami Swim Week 2025 with Art Hearts Fashion: Castings, Runways & More

What started as a quick two-day trip turned into a full seven days of fashion, castings, shows, and spontaneous adventures… and it also ended up becoming my very first ever solo trip!

I’ve always wanted to attend Miami Swim Week, and even more-so, I’ve always dreamed of walking in it. So the day before Miami Swim Week approached, I told myself that this was the year, did my research, printed extra comp cards the night before the first casting, and headed out on an unexpected adventure. One that was open minded, confident, but without high hopes.

So there I was at 6 AM on a Sunday, leaving Tampa and heading south, already in my casting outfit. My first stop was the Art Hearts Fashion casting at Strawberry Moon, where hundreds of models were lined up in the Miami heat. I walked, connected with people, and even taught myself the first lesson of the week: immerse yourself, engage, and make those connections.

From there, things snowballed. More castings, new friends, poolside evenings, and even a private mansion party in Venetian Islands with Elle Swimwear. By Tuesday, the day I was originally supposed to go home, I was already getting invited to shows as a content creator. I extended my hotel stay at YOTEL Miami, knowing I had to make the most of the opportunity.

Swim Week officially kicked off on Wednesday evening with the Art Hearts Fashion launch party at Casadonna, a beautiful waterfront Italian restaurant. And by that day, I also had confirmation I’d been booked to walk in Thursday’s show, day 1 of Miami Swim Week 2025!

Call time on Thursday was at the iconic Eden Roc Miami Beach, where hair, makeup, and fittings turned the day into a whirlwind of energy and glam. Walking for Luxe Isle in the Art Hearts Fashion show in my first Miami Swim Week was a thrill I’ll never forget.

What I loved most, though, was experiencing Art Hearts Fashion from every angle: castings, model, guest, and creator/influencer. I went from strutting the runway to attending a Berry Beachy and Papi Swim gifting suite, brand activations, and shows as media. The pop-ups were buzzing with brands, the energy inside the venue was electric, and the entire week proved that Art Hearts Fashion is more than just runway shows, it’s a whole ecosystem of fashion, networking, and celebration.

Because I can never resist a spontaneous moment, I stayed even longer. On my “last day,” Rauw Alejandro happened to be performing right across the street from my hotel at the Kaseya Center on his Cosa Nuestra World Tour. I got a ticket, got dolled up, walked across the street, and went. It was a trip of many firsts as this also ended up being the first concert I’d ever attended solo and was easily one of the highlights of the trip. From screaming lyrics at the show to attending Rauw’s after-party at LIV, it was the perfect finale to an unforgettable week.

…And that is how I turned what was originally planned to be a two-day trip into seven. I left with new experiences, new friends, new connections, and a stronger sense of myself. If there’s one thing I learned, it’s this: closed mouths don’t get fed. If you want something, you have to put yourself out there, take the risk, and say yes to the opportunities that come your way… even if that means doing it alone.

So, to anyone thinking about chasing a dream or taking a solo leap, DO IT. Believe in yourself, take the trip, go to the casting, buy the ticket. You’ll thank yourself later!