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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Liam Buckler

Miami Swim Week slammed for lack of body diversity amid VERY risqué 'Black Tape' swimwear

Miami Swim Week 2023 has been slammed for a lack of body diversity - with social media fans claiming "all the models look the same."

The show, which runs from July 4-12, shows off the best swimwear this year but the event has come in for criticism after having a "lack of diversity" among the models.

Criticism has also been levelled at the runway show with many believing it should not take place in 2023.

Victoria's Secret's runway shows were cancelled in 2018 amid a number of controversies surrounding the contentious event.

One social media user commented: “I’m confused. Wasn’t Victoria’s Secret’s runway shows cancelled because of the unobtainable body shapes among models?

The models walking down the Black Tape Project (Getty Images for Art Hearts Fash)
Many users asked "where's the variety of bodies?" (Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)

"How come this fashion show can take place? Can’t understand the fashion world.”

Another said "all the models look the same" and one Instagram wrote "great show but where's the variety of bodies?".

During "The Black Tape" project, designs were aimed at showing off tiny swimwear which showed women walking down the runway in a design comprised of a single strip across the bottom of their bodies.

Critics have asked whether the show should still be happening (Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
Models are hired to show off the new swimwear (Getty Images)

Joel Alvarez, the man behind The Black Tape Project, revealed on Instagram he personally hand-applied an array of studs to a number of the designs during Miami Swim Week.

But after thousands of images from the event were splashed online, many have attracted criticism after social media users noticed a lack of "body diversity."

According to the Miami Swim Week's website, "model castings only happen a couple of weeks before shows, i.e, in early July. However, casting announcements may happen several weeks before."

Thousands of users have commented on the bizarre pictures (Getty Images)
Models are covered up with just the tiniest bits of tape (Getty Images)

The event comes after Victoria's Secret Fashion show was cancelled in 2019 amid a number of controversies surrounding the event.

The parent company's former chief marketing officer Edward Razek was accused of creating a “culture of misogyny, bullying and harassment.” He denied the accusations.

However, following a four-year hiatus, the controversial show is set to return later this year.

Designer, Joel Alvarez and models (Getty Images)

Timothy Johnson, the company's chief financial officer, said last year the brand is looking to revamp the former annual show.

He told Hollywood Reporter: “We’re going to continue to lean into the marketing spend to invest in the business, both at top-of-funnel and also to support the new version of our fashion show, which is to come later this year,” he said.

(Getty Images for Art Hearts Fash)
(Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)

A Victoria’s Secret & Co. spokesperson said that the brand is “always innovating and ideating in all spheres of the business to continue to put our customer at the centre of all we do and reinforce our commitment to championing women’s voices and their unique perspectives.”

The company added: "As we’ve previously shared, our new brand projection and mission will continue to be our guiding principle.

"This will lead us into new spaces like reclaiming one of our best marketing and entertainment properties to date and turning it on its head to reflect who we are today. We’re excited to share more later this year.”

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