Brooklyn Riley took to the New York Swim Week (NYSW) runway on July 26, 2025, effortlessly showcasing the season’s hottest swimwear trends. From bold cutouts to a daring cowboy twist, she proved that beachwear is officially entering its high-fashion era.
Ah, New York Swim Week, a joyous riot of sun, sand, and audacious design – and on July 26, 2025, Brooklyn Riley was right there, leading the charge. This isn’t just about skimpy bikinis, you understand; it’s about the evolution of resort wear, about translating poolside lounging into a veritable runway. And Riley, bless her, embodied this shift with a certain je ne sais quoi that was undeniably captivating.
First, that vibrant fuchsia moment. She appeared in a striking, deep fuchsia bikini, its top a simple yet effective triangle cut, allowing the bold color to do most of the talking. But what truly elevated this look? The intricate, cascading pearl-and-chain body harness that draped across her midsection, accentuating the waist and hips with a delicate, almost Gatsby-esque opulence. It’s a styling trick—a clever layering—that turns a basic bikini into a statement. And then, the micro-mini skirt in a complementary fuchsia, fashioned from what appeared to be layered, ruffled fabric creating a playful texture. Paired with those sky-high, nude platform heels—a staple, n’est-ce pas?—it was pure Miami glamour meets European Riviera chic. It reminds me, quite charmingly, of those audacious Versace moments from the early 2000s; daring, yes, but with a refined confidence that makes it utterly modern.
Then, a delightful detour into unexpected textures. Riley also strutted in a hot pink crocheted crop top, a V-neck that echoed the playful, handcrafted vibe we’ve seen creeping from the runways of Milan to the streets of Marrakech. This was paired with that same textured fuchsia mini-skirt, adorned again with the delicate pearl body chain. It’s a testament to how versatility is truly the new luxury; pieces can be mixed, layered, and re-imagined. And frankly, the crochet? C’est magnifique.
But perhaps the most intriguing look—and dare I say, the most American in its audacious spirit—was the denim blue bikini. A classic triangle top, certainly, but the bottoms featured daring, strategic cutouts and delicate, crisscrossing straps that wrapped around her torso. And then… the cowboy hat. A crisp, white cowboy hat. And knee-high, pristine white cowboy boots. Mon Dieu. It’s a statement, isn’t it? A fusion of beach siren and wild West, a nod to the growing influence of Western wear in unexpected contexts. It’s bold, I’ll give it that. Is it wearable for your average beach day? Perhaps not. But for the runway, for making a definitive point about modern fashion’s boundless imagination? Oui. It felt like a subtle wink to Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ era, a playful embrace of country glamour now firmly rooted in high fashion.
Brooklyn Riley, in essence, didn’t just walk the runway at NYSW 2025; she performed. She showed us that swimwear is no longer relegated to the beach bag but can be the centerpiece of a complete, confident, and utterly compelling look. It’s about attitude, always, and she has it in spades.
