Gran Canaria Swim Week closes its most high-profile edition yet, consolidating its position as the global swimwear fashion event

2025-11-20

GCSW has led the fashion conversation with more than 1.75 million impacts on social media, representing a 33.3% increase compared to the previous edition.

Karolina Kurkova, Cindy Kimberly, Vicky Martín Berrocal, María Pedraza, Franco Masini, Alba Díaz, and Caetana Botelho are among the personalities who attended the event.

The main editors of fashion, mainstream, swimwear-specialized, and industry media — both national and international — followed the shows each day.

In this edition, Dan Ward has won the Award for Best Collection. Meanwhile, Elena Morales received the Award for Best Sustainable Collection; and Mare far Niente, the Award for Best Emerging Collection.

Gran Canaria, November 6, 2025.– Gran Canaria Swim Week 2025 concludes with audience figures exceeding those of the previous edition, with 1.75 million social media impacts — a 33.3% increase over 2024. These results demonstrate the success of the strategies implemented in recent years, focused on the internationalization and professionalization of the only runway in Europe specialized in swimwear.

Forty-four designers — including international, mainland Spain, and Canary Islands firms — completed a swimwear calendar marked by craftsmanship, design quality, and a commitment to sustainability.

With a full and diverse program, alongside a selection of models of national and international relevance such as Karolina Kurkova, Cindy Kimberly, Irene Esser, Angela Ponce, Desirée Cordero, Lidia Santos, and Lorena Durán, the casting became a true celebration of fashion and of life. A unique selection of talent radiating beauty, freshness, and joy of living, shaping this successful edition. Every face, every body, and every style came together to form a diverse and fascinating mosaic — a faithful reflection of the evolution and richness of current fashion.

Increase in social media engagement compared to the previous edition
During runway week, the event’s official website received more than 23,000 visits, with Spain as the main country of origin, followed by China, Italy, the United States, Singapore, Germany, and the United Kingdom, among others. On social media, the official account of the runway achieved 1.75 million impacts, representing a 33.3% increase over 2024. In addition to these impacts, GCSW was streamed through the official profiles of the invited influencers.

Extensive media and influencer coverage
The success of this new edition of Gran Canaria Swim Week was also evident in the media coverage. The runway welcomed the main fashion and lifestyle outlets — such as Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and ELLE — and industry media specialized in swimwear, as well as leading news agencies.

Furthermore, a group of journalists from major media in Denmark, Portugal, and Italy traveled to Gran Canaria, increasing the international visibility and resonance of the event.

Celebrities, influencers, and opinion leaders also attended, sharing their experiences at Gran Canaria Swim Week with their digital communities. Among them were the designer Vicky Martín Berrocal, her daughter Alba Díaz, the actress María Pedraza, the actor Franco Masini, the Portuguese influencer Caetana Botelho, and other national digital creators such as Paula Viana from The Backstage Talks, Marta Camin, and Marina Muñoz.

GCSW 2025 Awards
As for the traditional awards presented on the final day of the runway, the Award for Best Collection went to the brand Dan Ward. Sponsored by FundGrube, the prize includes €3,000 and was presented by Deepak Chhabria, director of the company.

The Award for Best Sustainable Collection was granted to Elena Morales, a Gran Canaria-born designer who showcased a collection clearly demonstrating her commitment to sustainability and environmental protection through the use of responsible materials and ecological practices. This award was granted by White Milan with the support of the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce and includes a booth at the White Milan Fair (June 2026) and a travel grant valued at €1,500.

Lastly, Mare far Niente won the Award for Best Emerging Collection. Sponsored by the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce, the prize is endowed with €1,500.

The Awards Jury was composed of prominent national and international fashion leaders, whose experience and careers reinforce the professional nature, international exposure, and global recognition of the event. Members included Pepa Bueno, Executive Director of the Association of Spanish Fashion Designers; Modesto Lomba, President of the Association of Spanish Fashion Designers; Simona Severini, Director of White Milano; Scott Lipinski, CEO of the International Fashion Committee; Melanie Bauer, representative of the buyers for this edition; Araceli Díaz, representative of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria; Grisel Fernández, international advisor to the Chamber of Commerce; and Esther García Capdevila, Director of ESMA Events and Creative Director of Gran Canaria Swim Week.

Sponsors and partners
Iberia Express has become the official airline of Gran Canaria Swim Week this year, reaffirming its support for events that contribute to the island’s international image, positioning it as a meeting point for the fashion industry and an excellent destination for major events.

Audi Canarias once again joined Gran Canaria Swim Week 2025 as the official vehicle of the edition, strengthening a collaboration that highlights the connection between fashion, design, and innovation. Throughout the week, the brand was present in the main event areas, facilitating transportation for guests and participants and adding its hallmark of distinction to the overall experience. Without a doubt, an alliance that reinforces the shared commitment to continue promoting Gran Canaria on the international stage.

In total, the runway featured the participation of sixteen sponsoring brands that have shown their unwavering support for the fashion industry through their involvement in this edition. In addition to Iberia Express and Audi, the list includes ExpoMeloneras, Pasito Blanco, RTVE, Oribe, Rowenta, Mahou 5 Estrellas, Fund Grube, Perchel Beach Club, Helamore, The Mint Company, Grupo Galarza-Cadiex, Blat Vodka, Fever Tree, Fonteide, and Munchitos.

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