CNN
—
Martha Stewart. Christie Brinkley. Tyra Banks.
These are just three of the models who graced the cover of Sports Illustrated’s famous and sometimes controversial “Swimsuit Edition.” Now, to celebrate the special issue’s 60th anniversary, the magazine has released seven new covers featuring 27 women and reuniting past cover models for a “Legend” photoshoot.
Kate Upton, Chrissy Teigen, plus-size model Hunter McGrady and CBS News host Gayle King posed for their solo covers. (This is Upton’s fourth time on the magazine’s cover, and Teigen’s second.)
The remaining three Legend covers feature alumni including Chanel Iman, May Musk, Megan Rapinoe and Winnie Harlow, as well as a snowboarder and the first amputee model to appear in Swimsuit. (Paralympic gold medalist) Brenna Huckabee also appears. Edition” and the first hijabi model, Halima Aden.
Sports Illustrated Editor-in-Chief MJ Day said in a news release that the “Swimsuit Edition” has “been beyond its origins.”
What “started as a simple pastime during the winter months when the sports calendar was relatively empty” is now a “global symbol of empowerment, diversity and positivity.”
“We have done our best to celebrate women of all shapes, sizes, ages and backgrounds,” Day said. “We have sought to reshape social norms and redefine standards of beauty. This year’s issue is just that.”
Cai Yu/Sports Illustrated
Model and television personality Chrissy Teigen appears on one of the anniversary edition’s seven covers.
Cai Yu/Sports Illustrated
A total of 27 women are featured on the new cover. The photo above is of model Hunter McGrady.
Sports Illustrated magazine debuts its first “Swimsuit Edition”, first published in 1963, featuring a young German model named Babette March on the cover, wearing a white bikini and wearing a Mexican swimsuit edition. They were pictured frolicking on the beach.
Since then, the annual special issue has become the mainstay of the magazine. The film’s focus on women’s bodies sometimes drew criticism.
In recent years, the magazine has featured a more diverse range of fashion models on its pages, including trans models Rayna Bloom and Valentina Sampaio (as well as trans singer Kim Petras), older models like Musk, and plus-size models. are doing. Like Ashley Graham and McGrady. The magazine has also expanded its portfolio of cover stars, featuring musicians, athletes and celebrities such as Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Naomi Osaka and Megan Thee Stallion.
“Year after year, we have challenged ourselves to push the boundaries and redefine what it means to be a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit,” Day said in a news release. .
“This year’s issue is both an homage to our recent past and a reminder of the work we must continue to do. We encourage women to challenge the status quo, celebrate their strength and confidence, and to We must remind ourselves to embrace our uniqueness and inspire those around us to pursue our passions without fear.”
