Sports Illustrated honors 60 years of noteworthy swimsuit models.
Three fantastic ladies have made it to Sports Illustrated's renowned, yet sometimes contentious, "Swimsuit Edition" covers. To commemorate the issue's 60-year-long reign in print, the beloved magazine revealed seven new covers, featurin 27 women and rejoining previous cover stars for a "Legends" photo session.
Kate Upton, Chrissy Teigen, the plus-sized model Hunter McGrady, and CBS News' Gayle King showed their model side and posed for their very own individual covers. Upton starred on the cover four times, with Teigen gracing the publication twice.
Apart from them, other "Legends" covers starred Models Chanel Iman, Maye Musk, Megan Rapinoe, and Winnie Harlow, among others, along with renowned snowboarder Brenna Huckaby, the first amputee to appear in the "Swimsuit Edition," and Halima Aden, the first hijabi model.
According to Sports Illustrated's editor-in-chief MJ Day, the "Swimsuit Edition" has gone far beyond its initial purpose. "Initially, it started as a simple distraction during what is typically a sport-deficient month," Day mentioned. "However, it's now evolved into a powerful symbol of empowerment, diversity, and positivity."
"We've strived to promote women with varying shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds," shared Day. "We have worked hard to reframe societal norms and redefine beauty standards. This year's issue does just that."
The magazine presented its first-ever "Swimsuit Edition" in 1963, with none other than a young German model, Babette March, showcased on the cover, delightfully playing in the sand on a beach in Mexico, rocking a stylish bikini.
Ever since then, the annual special issue has remained a steady presence. It has, at times, drawn criticism for its focus on female physiques.
However, in recent years, Sports Illustrated has introduced an increasingly diverse group of fashion models to its pages. This array includes trans models Leyna Bloom and Valentina Sampaio, seniors like Maye Musk, plus-sized models Ashley Graham and Hunter McGrady, and continues to feature performers, athletes, and celebs such as Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Naomi Osaka, and Megan Thee Stallion on the covers.
"With each passing year," continued Day, "we've been pushing boundaries and reimagining what it means to be Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit.
"Although this year's issue is a tribute to the most recent past, it's also a reminder of the tasks ahead. Let's remind women to defy the norm, appreciate their strength and confidence, and influence others to embrace their uniqueness and pursue their ambitions fearlessly."
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The "Swimsuit Edition" of Sports Illustrated has evolved into a platform for promoting fashion and style, featuring a diverse range of models with varying shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. Kate Upton, with her four cover appearances, and Chrissy Teigen, gracing the publication twice, are just a few examples of women who have showcased their style in the magazine.
Source: edition.cnn.com
