From Four Decades to First Steps

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From FOUR Decades
to FIRST Steps

By Ginger Harris

THIS YEAR’S PARAISO MIAMI SWIM WEEK’S RUNWAY MELDED LEGACY WITH FRESH AMBITION.

The energy backstage at Paraiso Miami Swim Week crackles with a unique tension—the kind that emerges when four decades of refined expertise shares the same space as first-time jitters. This season, the Miami swimsuit showcase became a study in contrasts, with SHAN celebrating an extraordinary 40-year milestone while Salty Mermaid, a brand that’s been on the beach since 2017, made its runway debut, proving that in fashion, experience and fresh perspective can create equally compelling magic.

For Chantal Levesque, founder of SHAN, this year’s show represented something profound—a celebration of longevity in an industry notorious for its fickleness. “Reaching 40 years is a tremendous milestone and celebrating it at Paraiso Swim Week felt incredibly special,” Levesque says. The Canadian designer, who presented her very first show in Montreal back in 1986, has witnessed the evolution of an entire industry from the inside out.

“I absolutely remember our very first show—it was in Montreal in 1986. At the time, everything was brand new to me. It was incredibly exciting, but also a little intimidating,” she recalls. That initial presentation was a far cry from today’s sophisticated productions. “We didn’t have a predominant theme in the way we do now—it was more about the designs themselves than creating a story or atmosphere.”

Fast-forward nearly four decades, and SHAN’s shows have transformed into immersive experiences where “every element—set design, music, lighting, styling—is carefully curated to reflect the emotion and message behind each collection.” This year’s theme paid tribute to “the core values that have defined SHAN since day one—femininity, elegance, perfect fit, comfort and effortless beauty.”

The evolution from those humble beginnings to today’s polished presentations hasn’t diminished Levesque’s enthusiasm. “After four decades, we’ve developed a finely tuned creative process,” she admits, “but when it comes to the runway and presenting our work in front of an audience, that excitement never fades.”

Meanwhile, just a few runway slots away, Sarah Jon Porreca-Swenson was experiencing those first-time butterflies Levesque remembers so well. For the Salty Mermaid founder, Paraiso represented a dream realized—and the nerves were real. “It is our first show. Oh my gosh, there is so much to say. We are so excited right now. A little nervous, I’m not gonna lie. But the energy and the vibe, you can feel it in the air, right?”

Porreca-Swenson’s debut collection centered around what she calls the “Mob Wife” aesthetic—a concept that speaks to the multifaceted nature of modern women. “Every woman, we are so many cats, right? We’re the boss babes, we’re the moms, we’re the gardeners, we’re the dog moms, the cat moms—like everything, right? So I think there’s an inner mob wife in all of us that we really want to sometimes showcase.”

The theme translated into a collection that celebrated female power and diversity. “There’s a diversity of so many different types of women on the runway and we all have that inner mob life,” she explains. Her opening look embodied this philosophy—”wings and the ethos of a very Victoria’s Secret type of show. So we created it: Salty Mermaid style.”

For Levesque, watching newcomers like Salty Mermaid take their first steps on the Paraiso runway brings back memories while highlighting how much the industry has evolved. “The evolution has been truly remarkable. Year after year, our shows have become more sophisticated, more expressive and more in tune with our brand’s DNA.”

What both designers share is an understanding of Paraiso’s unique position in the fashion calendar. “Paraiso Swim Week has become a key part of our calendar and creative journey,” Levesque notes. “It’s one of the most significant global platforms for swim and resort wear.” For Porreca-Swenson, the platform offered validation for a year of planning. “As soon as one show ends, you think about the next show and what you’re gonna do and what you’re gonna see on the runway.”

The contrast between SHAN’s refined aesthetic and Salty Mermaid’s bold newcomer energy perfectly encapsulated this year’s Paraiso spirit. While Levesque favors “soft neutrals—off-whites, subtle grays and muted tones” and describes her opening look as “bold yet refined, and effortlessly chic,” Porreca-Swenson embraces a more theatrical approach, creating pieces designed for “families who still want to look cool and vibe on Instagram.”

Both designers, however, share a deep appreciation for swimwear’s emotional resonance. “Swimwear, for me, is more than a garment—it’s a feeling. It represents freedom, escape and joy,” Levesque explains. For Porreca-Swenson, it’s about empowerment and self-expression, allowing women to showcase their multifaceted personalities.

As the lights dimmed and models took their final walks, Paraiso Swim Week 2025 proved that fashion’s future lies not in choosing between heritage and innovation, but in celebrating both. Whether marking four decades of excellence or taking those crucial first steps, the runway remains a place where dreams transform into reality—one perfectly timed stride at a time.