Back in 2015, Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue made headlines thanks to an ad, not a spread, within its pages. The campaign in question belonged to inclusive swimwear line Swimsuits for All. It featured several plus-size models (among them Ashley Graham), along with 56-year-old model Nicola Griffin. To top it off, size 12 model Robin Lawley appeared in the editorial section of the mag, making the issue doubly historic. (At six feet tall, Lawley is not exactly plus, but she does represent a body type not usually seen in SI — or any magazine, for that matter.) As we all know, Graham went on to front SI’s 2016 Swimsuit Issue, a turning point in her career and evidence of the glossy’s commitment to diversity, Photoshop allegations be damned.
[ Here’s One Good Thing About 2016: Magazine Covers Were More Diverse Than Ever (Report) ]
Sports Illustrated’s 2017 Swimsuit Issue continues to (tentatively) celebrate a range of body types. This year, the men’s magazine checked off its (age) diversity box by enlisting legendary supermodel Christie Brinkley. In one of Brinkley’s photos, displayed on the publication’s Instagram, the 63-year-old mother of three poses with daughters Alexa Ray Joel, 31, and Sailor Brinkley Cook, 18. The latter, who models with IGM, described the SI shoot as a highly emotional experience that caused her to reflect on her past struggles with body image: “This is more than a magazine to me and always has been. As a growing young woman SI showed me all bodies are different and all bodies are worthy of (sic) celebrating,” Cook wrote on Instagram.
“This is a real full circle moment for me,” Brinkley commented. “I can get very emotional about this. How many years ago, I was that insecure girl hoping that I would be good enough for the magazine. So to see my daughters now having the same thoughts I had, and to be able to see them actually be there on the job, was definitely a big moment.” Needless to say, Brinkley and her progeny look absolutely stunning. In a humorous nod to Brinkley’s god-like status in the world of modeling — she fronted SI’s Swimsuit Issue for a record-setting three consecutive years, from 1979 to 1981 — the seasoned bikini model literally walks on water. Her daughters, like the rest of us laypeople, are content to wade in the ocean whilst basking in Brinkley’s glow.
A video posted by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@si_swimsuit) on
While Brinkley’s inclusion is a reminder that beauty and sex appeal knows no age, it’s worth noting that the fitness guru’s physique doesn’t much differ from that of her daughters. Additionally, SI’s Swimsuit Issue lineup is noticeably plus-size model devoid (thus far).
In anticipation of the annual issue’s launch later this month, Sports Illustrated has been releasing sneak peeks on Instagram. Below, see some other famous faces that have made the cut.
Christie Brinkley
A photo posted by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@si_swimsuit) on
Rose Bertram
Guess who’s back for @si_swimsuit 2017 here’s a sneak peak! #SiSwim2017 : @wattsupphoto
A photo posted by Rose Bertram (@rose_bertram) on
Chrissy Teigen
Just months after giving birth, @chrissyteigen got BACK in a bikini for SI Swimsuit…
A photo posted by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@si_swimsuit) on
Lais Ribeiro
We’re already completely head over heels for rookie Lais Ribeiro! (photo by @jamesmacari)
A photo posted by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@si_swimsuit) on
Hannah Ferguson
GOD BLESS TEXAS. Your favorite Southern bombshell, @hannahfergusonofficial, is back!
A photo posted by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@si_swimsuit) on
