Meet Buki Ade, The BFYNE Swimsuit Designer Who Empowered All Black Models During Miami Swim Week
In a unique collaboration with Models of Color, designer Buki Ade displayed diversity during Miami Swim Week. Black women of all shades, sizes, and nationalities, graced the Paraiso Miami Beach runway flaunting an assortment of elegantly designed BFyne Swimwear.
Ade is a pioneer as she was the first designer to have an all-Black model runway during Miami Swim Week.
“I wanted to give us that platform because we are not well represented,” Ade told BET.
BFyne is a contemporary swimwear and resort-wear brand where body positivity is a foundational principle. According to Ade, BFyne will continue to cast models of varying shapes, sizes, and ethnicities to strut their designs down the catwalk.
Her garments intentionally lift key areas and accentuate curves with style and quality.
“Perfection is the goal,” said Ade. “BFyne’s designs are the result of a painstaking research process. Every pattern, print, and snip have been meticulously thought out to ensure a fun, functional, and flattering experience for you.”
Drawing inspiration from her Nigerian roots, Ade showcased 21 vibrant designs from one-piece suits, matching sets, dresses, and coverups. Whether loose and flowy or skintight with cutouts, Ade aspires to empower women in her hand-sewn pieces.
“I want women to feel empowered,” said Ade. “Powerful, bold, [and] represented because [BFyne] was designed with a woman of color in mind.”
Since her teenage years, Ade has pushed creative boundaries with her designs. It is common in Nigerian cultures to produce custom outfits for special occasions. To date, she’s designed patterns and swimsuits for over ten collections.
In 2019, Ade opened the flagship BFyne store in Miami. Although her styles have been worn by stars such as Beyoncé, Tiwa Savage, and Taraji P. Henson, Ade believes anyone can be a BFyne woman.
“[BFyne] compliments the modern-day woman--the confident woman, the fashionable woman, the go-getter,” said Ade.