Splash Paris Summer 2027: The Return of Expressive Maximalism

By MARIACRISTINA RIGHI

Walking the aisles at Splash Paris, one message comes through loud and clear: minimalism has loosened its grip. For Summer 2027, swimwear embraces a new kind of maximalism, one rooted not in excess, but in confidence, craftsmanship and expressive design. The collections increasingly blur the boundaries between beachwear, ready-to-wear and couture.

The shift has been building for several seasons. Summer 2026 introduced sculptural silhouettes, luxurious fabrics and refined embellishment, elevating swimwear beyond its traditional role. By the Autumn-Winter 2026/27 lingerie collections at Salon International de la Lingerie, corsetry, historical references and decorative techniques pointed to a renewed appreciation for heritage and ornament.

At Splash, that direction becomes bolder. The Eighties provide the season’s strongest reference, not as nostalgia, but as a celebration of glamour, individuality and unapologetic style. Vivid color, dramatic proportions, metallic surfaces and statement details bring that attitude into a sophisticated new context.

The connection to Gianni Versace is unmistakable. His signature combination of baroque motifs, saturated color, gilded embellishment and fearless glamour feels especially relevant with the current retrospective at Paris’s Musée Maillol. At Splash, those codes emerge in luminous fabrics, striking prints and jewelry-inspired accents that elevate swimwear into statement fashion.

Jean Paul Gaultier offers another powerful reference. His fusion of lingerie and high fashion transformed corsetry into an emblem of empowerment, a legacy that continues in body-conscious silhouettes and sculptural construction. The dramatically high-cut leg is perhaps the clearest example. Recalling the athletic glamour of Jane Fonda, Flashdance and Perfect, it returns with technical fabrics and precision fit, making the silhouette feel fresh rather than retro.

What makes this season compelling is the way designers reinterpret these influences without turning them into costumes. The theatrical spirit of the Eighties is filtered through today’s priorities: comfort, performance and fit.

The result is expressive luxury. Color, embellishment and confident silhouettes replace quiet understatement, reflecting a consumer increasingly drawn to products with personality. Splash Paris makes the direction clear: swimwear has moved beyond the beach to become a powerful form of fashion and personal style.

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