Wet & Wild Runway Show

Wet & Wild was a high-energy fashion show celebrating body positivity, Y2K style, and the freedom of owning your body in swimwear. Produced by Body Haven at Columbia College Chicago in collaboration with She Who Stuns, the show pushed back against the restrictive beauty standards popularized by early 2000s media—from America’s Next Top Model to the era of “cocaine skinny.” Instead, the runway celebrated real bodies in all forms, featuring models ranging from size 2XS to 4XL. With bold swimwear, playful energy, and unapologetic confidence, Wet & Wild turned the runway into a statement of joy, visibility, and self-love. The event drew nearly 250 attendees, proving that audiences are ready for fashion that reflects the diversity of real bodies.

Close-up of a person's face with visible freckles, with their hair styled in braids and adorned with colorful butterfly and flower hair clips, and wearing sparkling earrings.
A colorful children's indoor play area with a ball pit filled with various colored balls, inflatable beach balls, shiny silver balls, a pink inflatable flamingo, a blue inflatable narwhal, and metallic streamers and decorations.
Two women sitting on the floor in front of a tropical-themed beach background with inflatable palm trees, beach balls, and tiki torches. One woman is blowing into a party horn, and the other is wearing headphones and sipping from a mug. The scene is
Display board with various photographs of people, including silhouettes, posed portraits, and candid shots, some with red backgrounds and others in natural settings.
A woman in a satin dress stands on a stage under red lighting, holding a jacket in her left hand, with chairs and a large screen behind her.
Shadow of two children playing with balloon arches, on a wall with a projected colorful background, next to a balloon decoration on the right side.
Close-up of a person's face with short curly hair, adorned with small heart-shaped and star-shaped glitter on their cheek, and wearing makeup with a white winged eyeliner, wearing a small hoop earring
A person making drinks at a tiki bar setup with colorful decorations in a city indoor space.
Two women with colorful clothing and accessories browsing a fashion display with a mannequin dressed in a vibrant, patterned outfit. The scene takes place in an art gallery or exhibition space with large windows and artwork displayed.
A woman looking at a display of photographs and texts on a concrete pillar at an art gallery or exhibition, with a colorful mural in the background and other visitors present.
Close-up side profile of a woman's face with wet, platinum blonde hair adorned with pearl beads, against a black background.
A woman with pink hair sitting at a cluttered table, looking focused on her makeup or craft supplies. The table has various art materials, bottles, and accessories, with other people and clothing racks in the background.
Women gathered around a woman getting her face painted, with others watching and smiling in an indoor setting.
A woman with curly hair smiling, wearing a blue bikini top and white pants, indoors with colorful floral decorations in the background.
Young woman in colorful crochet bikini top, patterned shorts, and jewelry stands in a brightly lit room.
A woman with curly hair, smiling, posing with her arms raised above her head, wearing a floral corset top and a shiny brown skirt.
A young woman walks on a runway in a pastel-colored, fairy-inspired dress with sheer fabric, pink ribbons, and metallic accents, at an indoor fashion show decorated with balloons and pink hanging flowers.
A woman with curly brown hair wearing a hot pink lace strapless dress, multiple bracelets, and hoop earrings, standing in front of colorful balloons and floral decorations.
A woman with vibrant pink and purple afro hair walking on a runway, wearing sunglasses decorated with flowers, a shiny tank top, and a shiny white skirt, holding a small purse, with a seated audience in the background.
A woman wearing a strapless navy dress and shiny cowboy boots standing in front of a colorful balloon and flower backdrop.
A young woman with blonde hair performing a dance or pose in front of an audience, wearing a revealing black dress, in a dimly lit room with blue lighting.
A woman posing confidently at an indoor event, wearing a strapless top with a colorful, abstract pattern and a denim mini-skirt. She has curly hair, colorful earrings, and a necklace, with balloons and attendees in the background.
A woman with a voluminous curly afro hairstyle wears large green leaf-shaped earrings, a colorful off-shoulder top, and a bright orange lace skirt, walking on a runway or stage with an audience in the background.
A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a colorful halter top and a red skirt, posing with one arm raised and hand on her head, in a dimly lit setting with a blurred floral background.
Two women standing back-to-back, smiling, in colorful outfits at a festive event with floral decorations in the background.
Woman walking on runway wearing colorful, patterned dress and large earrings at a fashion show.
Woman in a colorful layered dress with ruffles raises her arms on stage during a performance, with two women in patterned dresses in the background.
Group of women, some with tattoos, dressed in colorful clothing at a celebration or party.
A group of women in colorful dresses walking down a runway at a fashion show, with a floral and balloon arch behind them.