Swim’s Power Night at the Bass

SIHOF: Inside the blue carpet gala that redefined swimwear as culture.

It was a night to remember. The blue carpet rolled out in front of the Bass Museum like a tide of glamour, setting the tone for a celebration that redefined what swimwear means in fashion, culture, and beyond.

PARAISO Miami Swim Week—the world’s largest swimwear and resortwear event—leveled up with the debut of SIHOF (Swimwear Industry Hall of Fame), a gala-meets-legacy moment honoring the trailblazers who transformed bikinis into billion-dollar statements and body confidence into cultural currency.

As the South Beach sun melted into the skyline, guests in chic gowns and effortless glam poured into the city’s artistic heart. The night, co-hosted by model and TV personality Camille Kostek, Editor-in Chief-of Vogue Mexico & Latin America’s Karla Martinez de Salas, and Ocean Drive Editor-in-Chief Paige Mastrandrea, felt less like a typical fashion event and more like a sun-kissed coronation. Imagine a gala with SPF — where fashion, music, photography, tech, and unapologetic creativity collided.

Jocelyn Corona and Karla Martines at SIHOF
Influencers and designers:Tash Oakley and Devin Brugman taking selfie
Ellie Thumann at SIHOF Gala
Isabela-Grutman Karen Lima,Thais Martins at the SIHOF gala

Behind a deep blue velvet curtain, guests found their seats at sleek tables, already buzzing from air-kissed greetings, photobooth flashes, and glow-forward beauty treats from Sofia Vergara’s Toty, launched with SIHOF as part of their “Sun Safe & Confident” initiative.

Then the lights dimmed, and Caroline Vreeland—yes, that Vreeland—stepped onto the minimalist stage in a white feather dress, channeling vintage glamour. Her electrifying rendition of Nina Simone’s “Bang Bang” cast a spell on the room. From Karolina Kurkova to Lauren Chan and MJ Day, the audience was captivated.

Lorena Duran and Jocelyn Corona

The awards followed—not just applause, but overdue recognition.

SIHOF’s inaugural honorees weren’t just icons; they were women whose vision, grit, and grace reshaped the swimwear story:

MJ Day, Editor-in-Chief of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, awarded Media Icon for fearlessly torching outdated beauty standards and championing radical inclusivity.

Jamie Nelson, celebrity photographer and visual disruptor, took home Photography Icon for redefining how we see swimwear and sensuality through her lens.

And a surprise nod along with the Media Icon award went to Megan Thee Stallion, whose unapologetic style and swimwear collab proved that the bikini is still a personal power move.

Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman recive SIHOF New Media Icon award

Devin Brugman & Natasha Oakley, the dynamic duo behind Monday Swimwear, were crowned New Media Icons for blazing the influencer-to-brand trail.

Amahlia Stevens, founder of Vitamin A, received Sustainability Icon for making eco-swimwear covetable long before it was trending. Joined by her two daughters, she reminded everyone that you can have it all—you just need to start somewhere.

At the heart of it all was Founder Natalija Dedic Stojanovic, whose commitment and bold vision gave SIHOF the cultural footing it deserves:

“As someone who has spent over a decade immersed in this space, I felt there was a lack of recognition for the people whose creativity, innovation, and influence helped turn swim into a global cultural force. SIHOF is here to change that—by celebrating the legacy-makers, spotlighting today’s trailblazers, and preserving swimwear history in a meaningful, modern way.”

The evening drew a dazzling mix of celebrity and influencer power—Megan Thee Stallion, Lauren Chan, Isabela Grutman, Karolina Kurkova, Natasha Oakley, Devin Brugman, Nicole Williams English, Kiki Barth, Claire Holt, Ellie Thumann, Katie Austin, Jena Sims, Vita Sidorkina, and more—all gathered under one roof to celebrate swimwear’s cultural takeover.

The SIHOF event officially opened PARAISO’s 21st edition, launching five days of runway fire. From Osree and Leslie Amon to Oceanus to Luli Fama—alongside afterparties, brand activations, and events with Devon Windsor, Montce, Aqua Bendita and more—$70M+ economic ripple effect for Miami Beach.

This city has long been the swimwear capital of the world. Now it has a Hall of Fame to match.

Forget old-school awards. SIHOF is the future of swimwear legacy—sun-drenched, unapologetic, and dripping in elegance, cultural impact, and modern mythology.

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