What began as Fashion Week of the Americas has evolved into Miami Fashion Week&mdash;a global stage spotlighting Latin American and Latina designers.

L&rsquo;HISTOIRE explores fashion history moments you should know, from what actors wore on a red carpet to celebrities who made cameos on the runway. Some are unsung, and some are better known. Each is part of the fabric of today&rsquo;s fashion world, be it barrier breakers or culture makers.
Before Miami became synonymous with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/most-famous-swimwear-models-in-fashion-history-elle-macpherson-kate-upton-emily-ratajkowski" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swim Week</a> and influencer trips and campaigns, it was quietly shaping a different kind of fashion story: one rooted in cultural pride. Miami Fashion Week began in the late 1990s as an experiment: could Miami serve as the bridge between Latin American creativity and the global fashion stage?
Beth Sobol, a model-turned-producer, founded the event in 1998 under the name Fashion Week of the Americas. Her mission was to carve out space for Latin American and Caribbean designers in a U.S. industry that often overlooked them. Held in Miami&mdash;a city that felt both distinctly American and deeply Latin&mdash;the week quickly became a crossroads of cultures. Designers from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and beyond brought their collections to Florida, introducing audiences to the color, texture, and narrative-driven sensibilities that define Latin fashion.

Nicole Miller Show at Miami Fashion Week. Getty Images.

The American Beverly Hill Swimwear Showcase at Miami Fashion Week. Getty Images.

Stussy Runway at Miami Fashion Week. Getty Images.

Americas Sitka Semsch Showcase at Miami Fashion Week. Getty Images.

Apple Bottoms Runway at Miami Fashion Week. Getty Images.

American 'Arianne' Showcase at Miami Fashion Week. Getty Images.

By the early 2000s, the event had grown beyond its regional origins. Yet its DNA remained rooted in the same mission: giving Latina designers and Latin-rooted brands a legitimate, international platform. Miami&rsquo;s unique geography made it the perfect hub.&nbsp;
In 2015, a new era began. The Fashion Shows, LLC acquired Miami Fashion Week and relaunched it the following year with Antonio Banderas as Honorary President. The reboot emphasized resort and cruise collections, aligning perfectly with Miami&rsquo;s climate and clientele while maintaining the week&rsquo;s original focus on Latin talent.&nbsp;
Since then, Miami Fashion Week has only doubled down on its identity. Each season, its runways highlight emerging Latin designers, Latina-led brands, and collaborations that celebrate cultural diversity. Today, as the fashion calendar continues to expand, Miami stands as the heart of Latin American style.

L'HISTOIRE: The History of Miami Fashion Week

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