FOUNDER’S TAKE NO.2
NATALIJA DEDIC STOJANOVIC | MIAMI BEACH | 9.4.24
My Dream of Building a Community
The last two weeks of September have been a whirlwind, starting in London and sweeping right into Milan. Officially, I was there for meetings — both with up-and-coming labels and established brands — but really, the pulse of Milan Fashion Week was impossible to resist. London has its own charm, blending history with the new, but Milan? There’s something in the air, a kind of electric buzz that fuels your creativity in ways you can’t quite articulate. That, and a bit of culinary discovery in Notting Hill at a little spot called Los Mochis — an unlikely but perfect fusion of Japanese and Mexican flavors. Those prawn kushiyaki tacos were nothing short of life-changing while chatting brand strategy with a client.
Being in Milan, immersed in its 66 years of fashion week history, took me back to my earliest days at Miami Swim Week. It was 2009, and I was backstage at the Setai, running the show for NYC’s original club kid, Richie Rich. Hanging out with his team and Pamela Anderson was surreal — she stole the spotlight, strutting down the runway in her iconic Baywatch red swimsuit. That moment was monumental for me. Not just because of the spectacle, but because it opened my mind to the importance of swimwear, its place in fashion history and my mission to connect talent from all over the world and all walks of life. We’ve cultivated an inclusive space where fashion isn’t reserved for the select few but something everyone can experience.
Natalija Dedic Stojanovic and Karla Martinez de Salas, the Editor in Chief of Vogue Mexico, at PARAISO Miami Swim Week.
Over the past two decades, we’ve built something far greater than just one week of shows, presentations, and endless parties in Miami. Swimwear has become a powerful means of self-expression, body positivity, and a celebration of diversity. Partnering in 2022 with Vogue Mexico and Latin America to showcase an exciting fusion of Latin flair and beach culture was just one of the transformative steps. Having Editor-in-Chief Karla Martinez de Salas join me for a panel at Soho Beach House to discuss Miami’s rise as a fashion capital, has allowed us not only to bridge cultures but also highlight the city’s unique ability to unite diverse influences.
Growing up in culturally diverse Yugoslavia I was steeped in a system that valued community and mutual support. Those early lessons shaped how I see the world and, inevitably, how I approach fashion. When we started Miami Swim Week, it wasn’t just about fashion — it was about creating a space where people could come together, feel empowered, and feel like they belonged. Fast forward to today, and that same spirit drives us forward. As we look ahead to 2025, it’s hard not to be excited-and the possibilities for what comes next are endless.
