Moh Ducis, founder and chief executive officer of Miami Swim Week — The Shows, died Oct. 8 at the age of 46.

Ducis died at the Standard Hotel in Miami. The cause of death is unknown at this point.

Born in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Ducis graduated from the University of Maryland, with a degree in business administration and management, and received an MBA from The George Washington University School of Business. He moved to the U.S. over 23 years ago.

Ducis founded the Miami Swim Week — The Shows, in 2020, and earlier founded DC Swim Week in 2015 in Washington, D.C. Ducis was also the founder and chief executive officer of Black Knight Events, a Washington, D.C.-based event design and production company, which began in 2014, and closed when Ducis moved to Miami.

Miami Swim Week — The Shows features panels around beauty, wellness and lifestyle industries intersecting with traditional swim fashion. The event spotlights fashion shows, parties and industry events, emphasizing inclusivity and sustainability. He also headed NYFW Shows Powered by Miami Swim Week — The Shows.

Ducis was described by people with whom he worked as “a soulful visionary” who believed deeply in giving a platform to emerging talent. “He was profoundly dedicated to the community he built, which celebrated both rising and established designers alike,” said a spokeswoman.

Last year, Ducis told WWD, “We are constantly innovating to create a bridge between wellness, beauty and fashion. Miami Swim Week — The Shows exists to not just showcase brands, but to help identify the pain points for designers and connect them to the resources, consumers and support they need to continue to elevate their businesses.”

A lawsuit between DC Swim Week/Miami Swim Week — The Shows and Paraiso over the rights to use the Miami Swim Week name, as reported in WWD earlier this year, “is still under litigation and remains ongoing,” said the spokeswoman. In April, Paraiso Miami Swim Week, which has organized the Miami swimwear fashion event for more than 20 years, won a legal ruling over the use of “Miami Swim Week” in a trademark dispute. 

Ducis, who was based in Miami, is survived by a brother. The family has chosen to hold a private burial ceremony, with a memorial service to be scheduled at a later date. Updates regarding the platform’s continued direction, including Miami Swim Week — The Shows and NYFW Shows Powered by Miami Swim Week — The Shows, will be revealed soon.