Miami Swim Week Kicks Off In Time For Summer

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MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) – Thursday night was the first official runway show of Swim Week Miami, now in its 11th year.

This is the first time Swim Week opened without its original sponsor, IMG- Mercedes Benz.

Still the shows go on and designer Liliana Montoya, whose sexy swimsuits have filled the pages of Sports Illustrated Magazine, launched her "Mermaids in Atlantis" line for Summer 2016 at the Funkshion Fashion tent on 21st and Collins Avenue on Miami Beach.

"'Mermaids of Atlantis' is about celebrating color, style and being here in Miami. We are so proud and honored to be here and bring this to life." said Montoya.

Hours Before the show started, the models were painted, pampered and even flash tattooed .

They are temporary "tatts" created by a Miami based company called "Dash of Flash."

Back on the runway, Montoya showed off her line with a bevy of seaworthy seductresses for this important week of fashion.

"This is an opportunity for me to be here, a designer from Columbia to show the fashion world my designs. Everyone is here," she said.

But runway shows aren't the only thing happening in town. There are events everywhere.

At Soho House, Harper's Bazaar Magazine is presenting a pop-up shop all weekend called ShopBazaar – which will show off some of the latest trends in swim.  There are all types of trendy merchandise buyers can purchase on site.

"We're doing a pop up shop, so it's a way guests can see the great stuff we have in our magazine. We have all the best designers, and great items that are hard to find. We bring it here to Miami," said Megan Reynolds, shopping editor for ShopBazaar.com.

For more information on the events surrounding Swim Week go to swimweekcalendar.com.