Melissa Odabash Marks 25 Years of Luxury Swimwear with a Showstopping Anniversary Runway at Miami Swim Week 2025

On May 31, 2025, Melissa Odabash took center stage at Miami Swim Week® – The Shows with a runway presentation that was as much a tribute as it was a revelation. Celebrating 25 years in the industry, the internationally acclaimed designer unveiled her anniversary collection to a crowd that included longtime devotees, fashion insiders, and industry newcomers alike. And in a moment that brought together pop culture and runway nostalgia, Real Housewives of New York star and supermodel Kelly Bensimon closed the show in a look that paid homage to Odabash’s most iconic designs.

What unfolded on the runway was more than a collection—it was a chronicle. A curated edit of Melissa’s signature pieces, from sharply cut swimsuits to flowing Après-Plage dresses, marked the evolution of a brand that began with a model’s frustration and transformed into a global lifestyle empire.

Melissa Odabash’s journey into design was serendipitous. At just 18, she was discovered poolside and swept off to Paris to begin a modeling career. But it wasn’t long before the swimwear she wore on set inspired her to create something better. Her breakthrough came with a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit feature, when Heidi Klum donned one of her designs—and the momentum hasn’t slowed since.

Over the past two and a half decades, Odabash has built an internationally recognized brand worn by names like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kate Moss, Eva Longoria, and the Kardashian family. Royal families across Europe have also taken note of her more modest and timeless pieces, which balance elegance with comfort.

Still, her design mission remains strikingly democratic:

The anniversary runway offered a visual tour of Odabash’s signature DNA. Swimsuits with refined cuts, sleek hardware, and engineered silhouettes shared the spotlight with breezy cover-ups and her signature Après collection—easy, draped dresses meant to transition stylishly from day to dusk.

For Cruise 2025, Odabash drew deeply from personal memory. The collection pays homage to her mother, who first introduced her to the idea of a bikini during family trips to St. Martin. Shot in the Caribbean, the collection captures the essence of 1970s beach glamour with caftans, maxi dresses, and woven separates that echo sun-drenched luxury.

Odabash’s focus on detail—honed during her early career as a fit model for houses like Prada and Valentino—shines through in each piece.

Though the brand has grown exponentially, with product lines extending to accessories and loungewear, Odabash’s core philosophy hasn’t changed. She designs with movement in mind—pieces that are meant to travel, to breathe, to adapt. Her recent visit to Nashville sparked an unexpected western influence, while her affinity for the Mediterranean continues to inform her refined, coastal aesthetic.

And while the brand’s presence is global—carried by top-tier retailers from Saks and Bergdorf Goodman in the U.S. to Net-a-Porter, Harrods, and Cheval Blanc resorts worldwide—Odabash’s designs remain rooted in a personal sensibility.