The Swimwear Association of Florida will kick off the Cruise 2019 season with its highly anticipated 36th Annual SwimShow, taking place July 14-17, 2018, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The largest and longest-running trade show dedicated to the international swimwear industry, SwimShow features more than 2,500 lines from all swimwear categories as well as resort, beachwear and lifestyle brands. “Every year we strive to make the show better than the year before,” said SwimShow organizer Judy Stein, who incorporates exciting new brands and events each year. “The goal of the show is to marry a sense of fun and success, and that recipe works perfectly year after year.” A highlight of SwimShow 2018 will be the return of The Collection, a high-concept luxury exhibition area featuring a curated selection of emerging and established boutique designer brands. Each year, SwimShow attracts thousands of attendees, including top buyers, manufacturers and influencers, and is the must-attend event of the buying season. Attendees can expect an easy-to-navigate and enjoyable shopping experience and plenty of networking opportunities at special events such as the Swim Lounge Happy Hour. For more information, visit swimshow.com.

Marine Veillon has been appointed as the new managing director of Eurovet Asia. Based in Hong Kong, Eurovet Asia organizes the Interfiliére Shanghai and Interfiliére Hong Kong trade shows. It is a subsidiary of Eurovet, the industry leader in organizing lingerie, swimwear, athleisure and textile trade shows around the globe. Veillon succeeds Delphine Nguyen, who successfully held the position of managing director for nearly a decade. “I am really happy to welcome Marine in the team, and I am confident that her leadership and her recent experience as business development director at Comexposium will be great assets to increase our positions in Asia,” said Eurovet CEO Marie-Laure Bellon. “I thank Delphine for her contribution and her high involvement in our trade fairs for the past seven years and wish her every success in her future career.” Previously, Veillon handled business development and acquisitions in Southeast Asia for Comexposium and was a project manager at Unibail-Rodamco, a major commercial real-estate developer and operator in Europe. For more information, visit eurovet.com/en.

Fourteen top Colombian manufacturers of everything from fabric to swimwear, sportswear, lingerie and accessories exhibited their enticing collections at SwimShow, Curvexpo and MAGIC for Season 2018. In addition to showcasing their products, they want the world to know the importance they place on social responsibility, innovation and sustainability, so they are giving back in a myriad of ways.

Tejidos Gulfer, a leading manufacturer of Colombian fabrics for swimwear, activewear, lingerie, shapewear and more for over 50 years, has established a program called Un Techo Para Mi País (“A Roof for My Country”). Through this program the company donates money to provide housing for the country’s poorest people, and its employees even volunteer to help build the houses. Tejidos Gulfer also provides financial assistance to underprivileged students, and mentors those who wish to start their own businesses. The company exports its fabrics to the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Mishky, the ultra-popular jewelry manufacturer, has a social responsibility program called Mi Mama Para Mi (“My Mom for Me”), in which the company trains low-income women to become skilled artisans so they can work from home while caring for their young children. This multi-beneficial system not only provides women with a skill, self-esteem and a way to make money, it keeps them close to their children so they may provide love, support and parental guidance without the need to pay for childcare.

With 24 years of experience in the shapewear industry and a presence in more than 14 countries, TrueShapers—maker of control garments for women and men—is giving back in a different way. As a recognized industry leader in high-tech control fabrics and innovative ingenuity, the company provides jobs through productivity while sparking business development and competiveness in Colombia.

Sports fabric supplier Lafayette, a 70-year-old company with more than 2,100 employees, focuses on environmental protection, including water conservation, energy optimization and waste management. In addition, they support local families with educational and professional support and services. For more information on Colombian manufacturers, visit procolombia.co.

In direct response to multiple requests from industry buyers and retailers, Sharon Wei is launching a new jewelry collection that’s more durable and lower-priced than her namesake gemstone line, Sharon Wei Designs.

Inspired by nature, di Terra by Sharon Wei is skillfully designed with earth-toned gemstones and freshwater pearls. Most of the necklaces in the collection feature a unique hand-braided silk rope, allowing the wearer to twist, wrap, double, knot or drape the piece in accordance with their own individual preferences and attire. The silk loop closure eliminates the need for a clasp.

Each piece is beautiful, hypoallergenic, durable and resistant to sweat, salt water and tarnishing, which makes them perfect for an active lifestyle. Artistically designed and meticulously crafted, the collection is meant to convey inner peace and tranquility.

As Wei explains, “I wanted to design for the explorer, the yogi, the naturalist, the rock climber, the deep-sea diver; for the one who wants to feel in harmony with nature, and wear something day in and day out, without having to worry about it on their adventures.” The collection retails from $150 to $285. For more information, visit sharonwei.com.

Leonisa is introducing its first swimwear line for men this season. The label has been manufacturing high-quality underwear and shapewear for men for the past 40 years, so swimwear is a natural extension, and one that buyers and retailers have been requesting.

“Since Leonisa does so well with women’s swimwear, and our customers are asking us for men’s swimwear, the time is right to give them what they want,” says Octavio Quintana, vice president North America division.

Leo by Leonisa will feature loose-fitting swim trunks with drawstring waists and side pockets in mid-thigh lengths, in sizes S – XL. Three prints are available, including a paisley/floral print and a flamingo conversation print. A long-sleeved fitted sun-protective shirt in solid black with gray insets and topstitching detail rounds out the compact line.

“Not only will we have something for men, we’ll have the same prints available in boys’ sizes. Sons can match their fathers for eventful swim days,” explains Quintana. For more information, visit leonisa.com.

Two great shows—Swim Collective, featuring swimwear, resortwear, surfwear and accessory brands, and Active Collective, the premier U.S.-based show for fashion activewear—will now combine as one in California for 2018 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Surrounded by affordable hotels and restaurants, the convention center provides an ideal location for exhibitors and attendees alike. The venue has enabled the shows to secure dates for 2018 that are optimal to the industry, and will work to streamline move-in and move-out for exhibitors, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.

“We can better serve our exhibitors and attendees by combining our events in a space that is more suited to our market growth,” says Roy Turner, show director. “We feel that exhibitors and buyers can benefit from the crossover of markets when holding both shows under one roof.”

In addition to the co-location of the California shows, Active Collective—which successfully launched its first New York show this past January—will be adding a summer show date in this market. Both events will be held at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City.

Swim Collective & Active Collective West will take place in Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 11-12, 2018, and Aug. 1-2, 2018. Active Collective East will take place in New York City, Jan. 24-25, 2018, and Aug. 22-23, 2018. For more information, visit collectiveshows.com.

Manhattan Beachwear—one of the largest swimwear manufacturing companies in the U.S., producing such notable labels as Ralph Lauren, Kenneth Cole, Lucky Brand, Trina Turk, Nanette Lepore, Hobie, La Blanca, Maxine of Hollywood, 24th & Ocean and many more—recently announced the appointment of Katie Dawley to the position of senior vice president of global sales for all brands.

“The entire organization, myself included, are very pleased to make this announcement,” said Kevin F. Mahoney, president and CEO of Manhattan Beachwear, based in Cypress, Calif. “Katie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role, and this newly created position fulfills another one of our near and long-term strategic initiatives.”

Dawley has been with Manhattan Beachwear since joining the company in 2010 as corporate sales manager and was promoted last year to vice president of sales for Lauren, Polo and Chaps. Her extensive background and expertise in the areas of sales, merchandising, product development and brand management will greatly assist the company in reaching and developing its international portfolio. For more information, visit mbwswim.com.

SwimShow is celebrating its 35th year, and attendees can expect to find the hottest swimwear brands from around the world during its run at the Miami Beach Convention Center in South Beach, July 22-25. Produced by the Swimwear Association of Florida, SwimShow is the industry’s longest-running swimwear trade show of its kind. Last year, attendance increased by 13 percent and more than 60 countries were represented. The show featured more than 2,500 brands and expanded its offerings into wider categories, incorporating accessories, cover-ups and athleisure onto the trade show floor. In addition, a few new “hot-spots” featured resort and lifestyle brands concentrating on fashion-forward beach-to-bar collections.

One of the most anticipated features of the upcoming show is the return and the expansion of The Collection, a curated area featuring progressive high-end brands and directional, independent designers. “More than ever, companies are looking for a competitive edge, and SwimShow is the key to launching a successful season,” said Judy Stein, SwimShow executive director. “With over 35 years of success, SwimShow keeps re-establishing itself as the leader in swimwear exhibitions worldwide, and continues its commitment to creating the definitive marketplace for buyers and exhibitors of all categories.” For more information and special event details, visit swimshow.com.

The newly launched Sea & Her collection will feature the debut of Trimera Brands’ newest creation—the Wireless Perfect Fit Bra—for Season 2018. The swim bra has a customized sculpted and molded cup, which offers the support of an underwire, but is softer and more comfortable for the wearer.

Sea & Her is a fashion-forward, performance-oriented line targeted toward the 25- to 45-year-old customer. Created by the Montreal, Quebec-based mega-swimwear company, the line expects to fill a void in the market by providing D and DD cups in several styles. Other new silhouettes this season include off-the-shoulder bras, cut-out high-neck bras, cheeky boy shorts, high-waist pants and lots of fun, fashionable one-pieces.

Designed by fashion industry veteran Nova Gallegos, the cruise collection was inspired by Moroccan tapestries, beading and tile work. The collection’s flattering silhouettes will feature gypsy medallion prints, embellished denim, ’70s folk-art-inspired florals, fringe prints, black crinkle velvet and rich sangria shades. Styling details include tassel charms, lace-up, faggoting, smocking, embroidered cut-outs and lattice strapping. For more information, visit seaandherswimwear.com.

Tutublue has added a men’s collection to its sun-protective swimwear range. Made in Los Angeles, the collection created by actress Sarah Buxton is not only stylish, it’s fully functional. Originally inspired to launch the collection after a scare with melanoma, the actress debuted Tutublue on ABC’s “Shark Tank” last year. While she didn’t land a deal on the hit show, she was able to secure a partnership with Sun Protection Zone, and has since expanded the brand into a full collection of UPF50 activewear for men, women and children. The collection features colorful, fashion-forward prints, with cuts and construction designed with active lifestyles in mind. Silhouettes are form-fitting and flattering, and fabrics are selected for functional capabilities such as quick-drying and cooling effects. The men’s collection includes the brand’s signature full-body beach suit, available in four prints, as well as beach leggings, and a variety of mix-and-match tops and rash guards. As an added bonus, the collection’s innovative banded sea snake print may be a deterrent for sharks. For more information, visit tutublue.com.