The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is published annually by Sports Illustrated. It features fashion models wearing swimwear in exotic locales. Inclusion is considered a stick by which supermodels are measured. In addition, the issue is a media nexus that in 2005 carried $35 million in advertising. New issues come out around the middle of February or later. First published in 1964, it is credited with making the bikini, invented in 1946, a legitimate piece of apparel. The issue that got the most letters was the 1978 issue. The best selling issue was the 25th Anniversary Issue with Kathy Ireland on the cover in 1989.

Through the years many models, such as Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley, Paulina Porizkova, Elle Macpherson, Rachel Hunter, Valeria Mazza, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, and Marisa Miller, have been featured on the cover. Other models within its pages, but not on its cover, include Cindy Crawford, Stephanie Seymour, Angie Everhart, and Naomi Campbell. The eight models featured on the cover of the 2006 issue were featured in a coffee-table book called Sports Illustrated: Exposure (ISBN 978-1-933405-85-8). Photographed by Raphael Mazzucco, and produced by Diane Smith, the unprecedented "reunion shoot" featured 139 pages of unpublished images. In 2006, the issue expanded publishing to handheld devices. In 2007, the swimsuit issue was first available in China.

The special issue was invented by Sports Illustrated editor Andre Laguerre to fill the mid-1960s sporting calendar. The story is that he asked a fashion reporter, Jule Campbell, to go on a shoot to fill space, including the cover, with a beautiful model. The first issue in 1964 entailed a cover and a five-page layout. However, Campbell changed the face of modeling, became a powerful figure and molded the issue into a media phenomenon.

Athletes in the magazine

Several female athletes have appeared, though not on the cover. Steffi Graf appeared in 1997. In the 2003 issue, tennis player Serena Williams and figure skater Ekaterina Gordeeva were featured inside the magazine. Anna Kournikova appeared in an inset on the 2004 cover, and had a photo spread within its pages.

In 2005, Olympic gold medallists Amanda Beard and Jennie Finch, along with Lauren Jackson and Venus Williams, were featured. Maria Sharapova appeared in an inset on the 2006 cover and had a spread inside.

In 2008, NFL cheerleaders appeared for the first time. Teams include the Buccaneers, Chargers, Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles, Falcons, Jaguars, Patriots, Raiders, Redskins and Texans. Race car driver Danica Patrick appeared in 2008. She was featured in a four-page spread set in Singer Island, Florida.

Beyoncé

In spring 2006, Sports Illustrated chose music as the theme for the 2007 issue. Senior editor Diane Smith wanted 10-time Grammy winner Beyoncé Knowles to pose. In 2006, Beyoncé launched a swimsuit line under her House of Deréon clothing label. Beyoncé Knowles became the first singer to appear on the cover in 2007.

Controversy

To many, the magazine is acceptable exhibition of female sexuality not out of place on a coffee table. Recent editions have mixed the modeling with a tribute to sportsmen. The swimsuit edition is controversial with both moralists who subscribe for sports news content as well as those who feel that the focus on fashion and swimsuit modeling is inappropriate for a sports magazine and the publication of the swimsuit edition has irreparably tarnished SIs sports journalism credibility. Also feminists have expressed that "the Swimsuit Issue promotes the harmful and dehumanizing concept that women are a product for male consumption." Subscriptions have been canceled by subscribers when it arrives. The 1978 edition, remembered for its fishnet bathing suit made famous by Cheryl Tiegs, resulted in 340 cancellations. Sports Illustrated makes the controversy a form of entertainment with the issue two weeks after the swimsuit edition packed with complainants such as shocked parents and troubled librarians. Recently, the number of cancellations has declined. Nonetheless, to avoid controversy, its publisher Time Warner, did not deliver the special edition of the magazine to many subscribers in 2007. Now, Sports Illustrated offers its subscribers the option of skipping the swimsuit edition for a one issue credit to extend their subscription by a week.

Models

The following models appeared in the issue before an accompanying website was developed in 1996:

1978: Christie Brinkley, Maria Joao, Monique Moura de Carvalho, Cheryl Tiegs

1979: Christie Brinkley, Barbara Carrera, Apollonia van Ravenstein

1980: Christie Brinkley, Irina Gerasimenko, Jocelyn Javits, Bernadette Swann

1981: Carol Alt, Christie Brinkley, Kelly Emberg, Lena Kansbod, Rita Tellone

1982: Kim Alexis, Carol Alt, Charissa Craig, Kathryn Redding

1983: Kim Alexis, Carol Alt, Kelly Emberg, Paulina Porizkova, Hilary Safire, Cheryl Tiegs

1984: Kim Alexis, Carol Alt, Kelly Emberg, Kathy Ireland, Jean Pelton, Paulina Porizkova

1985: Kim Alexis, Kathy Ireland, Elle Macpherson, Sarah Nursey, Paulina Porizkova, Renee Simonsen

1986: Jenna de Rosnay, Kelly Emberg, Kathy Ireland, Elle Macpherson, Coco Mitchell, Paulina Porizkova

1987: Karen Alexander, Kim Alexis, Carol Alt, Kathy Ireland, Elle Macpherson, Monika Schnarre, Renee Simonsen

1988: Karen Alexander, Kim Alexis, Cindy Crawford, Kathy Ireland, Estelle Lefébure, Elle Macpherson, Stephanie Seymour

1989: Carol Alt, Sabrina Barnett, Christie Brinkley, Kelly Emberg, Rachel Hunter, Kathy Ireland, Estelle Lefébure, Elle Macpherson, Paulina Porizkova, Ashley Richardson, Stephanie Seymour, Yvette Sylvander, Yvonne Sylvander, Cheryl Tiegs, Maria von Hartz, Kara Young

1990: Sabrina Barnett, Michaela Bercu, Anna Getaneh, Rachel Hunter, Kathy Ireland, Estelle Lefébure, Elle Macpherson, Judit Masco, Ashley Richardson, Maria von Hartz, Louise Vyent, Akure Wall, Roshumba Williams

1991: Monica Bellucci, Rosie de la Cruz, Angie Everhart, Rachel Hunter, Kathy Ireland, Elle Macpherson, Judit Masco, Ashley Richardson, Stephanie Seymour, Roshumba Williams

1992: Naomi Campbell, Angie Everhart, Kathy Ireland, Vendela Kirsebom, Judit Masco, Gail O'Neill, Paulina Porizkova, Ashley Richardson, Roshumba Williams, Stacey Williams, Shana Zadrick

1993: Tyra Banks, Britta Dubbels, Rachel Hunter, Kathy Ireland, Vendela Kirsebom, Estelle Lefébure, Ashley Richardson, Ingrid Seynhaeve, Amber Smith, Maria von Hartz, Stacey Williams

1994: Veronica Blume, Jenny Brunt, Angie Everhart, Rachel Hunter, Kathy Ireland, Kate James, Vendela Kirsebom, Elle Macpherson, Judit Masco, Lana Ogilvie, Rebecca Romijn, Ingrid Seynhaeve, Amber Smith, Aya Thorgren, Dara Torres, Patricia Velasquez, Roshumba Williams, Stacey Williams

1995: Angie Everhart, Yasmeen Ghauri, Vendela Kirsebom, Roberta Little, Judit Masco, Daniela Pestova, Ashley Richardson, Rebecca Romijn, Ingrid Seynhaeve, Talisa Soto, Cheryl Tiegs, Patricia Velázquez, Manon von Gerkan, Stacey Williams

The following appeared in the website that has accompanied the print editions since 1996:

1996: Tyra Banks, Angie Everhart, Kathy Ireland, Valeria Mazza, Georgianna Robertson, Rebecca Romijn, Ingrid Seynhaeve, Stacey Williams, Manon von Gerkan

1997: Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Laetitia Casta, Yasmeen Ghauri, Steffi Graf, Eva Herzigova, Vendela Kirsebom, Valeria Mazza, Karen Mulder, Navia Nguyen, Chandra North, Karri Poppinga, Brandi Quinones, Gabrielle Reece, Niki Taylor, Stacey Williams

1998: Tyra Banks, Laetitia Casta, Louise Forsling, Eva Herzigova, Heidi Klum, Chandra North, Irina Pantaeva, Lorraine Pascale, Daniela Pestova, Rebecca Romijn, Beri Smither, Niki Taylor, Stacey Williams, Caprice Bourret, Tanga Moreau

1999: Kadra Ahmed-Omar, Michelle Behennah, Laetitia Casta, Yamila Diaz-Rahi, Amber Noelle Ehresmann, Lujan Fernandez, Eva Herzigova, Heidi Klum, Chandra North, Sarah O'Hare, Andrea Orme, Daniela Pestova, Audrey Quock, Rebecca Romijn, Tamara Spoelder, Veronica Vařeková

2000: Kylie Bax, Michelle Behennah, Elsa Benitez, Laetitia Casta, Yamila Diaz-Rahi, Lujan Fernandez, Kristy Hinze, Malia Jones, Heidi Klum, Melania Knauss, Shakara Ledard, Ana Paula Lemes, Noemie Lenoir, Josie Maran, Carre Otis, Daniela Pestova, Audrey Quock, Gabrielle Reece, Rachel Roberts, Molly Sims, Veronica Varekova, Estella Warren

2001: Michelle Behennah, Elsa Benitez, Aurelie Claudel, Yamila Diaz-Rahi, Lujan Fernandez, Janelle Fishman, Heidi Klum, Shakara Ledard, Kim Lemanton, Noemie Lenoir, Shirley Mallmann, Josie Maran, Petra Nemcova, Daniela Pestova, Audrey Quock, Molly Sims, Fernanda Tavares, Veronica Varekova, Amy Wesson

2002: Ana Beatriz Barros, Elsa Benitez, Ehrinn Cummings, Yamila Diaz-Rahi, Isabeli Fontana, Bridget Hall, Melissa Keller, Heidi Klum, Shakara Ledard, Vanessa Lorenzo, Josie Maran, Carla Maria, Marisa Miller, Annie Morton, Petra Nemcova, Chandra North, Daniela Pestova, Audrey Quock, Molly Sims, Veronica Varekova

2003: Michelle Alves, May Andersen, Ana Beatriz Barros, Yamila Diaz-Rahi, Reka Ebergenyi, Isabeli Fontana, Bridget Hall, Melissa Keller, Noemie Lenoir, Juliana Martins, Marisa Miller, Petra Nemcova, Sarah O'Hare, Daniela Pestova, Audrey Quock, Molly Sims, Fernanda Tavares, Jessica White, Serena Williams

2004: May Andersen, Ana Beatriz Barros, Elsa Benitez, Yamila Diaz-Rahi, Bridget Hall, Melissa Keller, Anna Kournikova, Noemie Lenoir, Angela Lindvall, Michelle Lombardo, Marisa Miller, Fernanda Motta, Carolyn Murphy, Petra Nemcova, Daniela Pestova, Frankie Rayder, Molly Sims, Jessica Van Der Steen, Veronica Varekova, Jessica White, Serena Williams

2005: Michelle Alves, Amanda Beard, Ana Beatriz Barros, Yamila Diaz-Rahi, Jennie Finch, Alicia Hall, Bridget Hall, Lauren Jackson, Shakara Ledard, Michelle Lombardo, Marisa Miller, Fernanda Motta, Carolyn Murphy, Petra Nemcova, Oluchi Onweagba, Frankie Rayder, Daniella Sarahyba, Mallory Snyder, Anne V, Jessica Van Der Steen, Veronica Varekova, Jessica White, Venus Williams

2006: Ana Beatriz Barros, Elsa Benitez, Carla Campbell, Brooklyn Decker, Yamila Diaz-Rahi, Bridget Hall, Rachel Hunter, Heidi Klum, Noemie Lenoir, Elle MacPherson, Marisa Miller, Fernanda Motta, Carolyn Murphy, Aline Nakashima, Petra Nemcova, Oluchi Onweagba, Daniela Pestova, Rebecca Romijn, Pania Rose, Daniella Sarahyba, Maria Sharapova, Molly Sims, Mallory Snyder, Yesica Toscanini, Anne V, Veronica Varekova, Jessica White

2007: Ana Paula Araujo, Ana Beatriz Barros, Beyoncé Knowles, Brooklyn Decker, Yamila Diaz-Rahi, Selita Ebanks, Julie Henderson, Marisa Miller, Fernanda Motta, Aline Nakashima, Raica Oliveira, Oluchi Onweagba, Tori Praver, Bar Rafaeli, Daniella Sarahyba, Irina Sheik, Fernanda Tavares, Yesica Toscanini, Anne V, Veronica Varekova, Jessica White

2008: Melissa Baker, Ana Beatriz Barros, Yasmin Brunet, Tracy Burns, Erin Carlisle, Jeisa Chiminazzo, Janipher Choi, Larisa Coy, Marisa Coy, Michelle Damon, Anabel Dela Cerna, Brooklyn Decker, Selita Ebanks, Milly Figuereo, Jessica Gomes, Quiana Grant, Ireivy Guerra, Melissa Haro, Julie Henderson, Heidi Klum, Jarah Mariano, Marisa Miller, Marlina Moreno, Oluchi Onweagba, Christina Parker, Danica Patrick, Tori Praver, Bar Refaeli, Daniella Sarahyba, Irina Shayk, Jessica Trainham, Anne V, Ingrid Vandebosch, La La Vasquez, Jessica White, Meghan White

On the cover

Cover history

Most covers by model

Model	Number of covers: issues
Elle Macpherson	5: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 2006
Christie Brinkley	3: 1979, 1980, 1981
Kathy Ireland	3: 1989, 1992, 1994
Cheryl Tiegs	3: 1970, 1975, 1983
Daniela Pestova	3: 1995, 2000, 2006
Paulina Porizkova	2: 1984, 1985
Tyra Banks	2: 1996, 1997
Rachel Hunter	2: 1994, 2006
Rebecca Romijn	2: 1999, 2006
Elsa Benitez	2: 2001, 2006
Yamila Diaz-Rahi	2: 2002, 2006
Veronica Varekova	2: 2004, 2006
Carolyn Murphy	2: 2005, 2006

First appearances

Name	Age	Site	Year
Cheryl Tiegs	22	Hawaii	1970
Christie Brinkley	20	Mexico	1975
Carol Alt	20	Florida	1981
Paulina Porizkova	17	Jamaica	1983
Kathy Ireland	20	Bonaire	1984
Elle MacPherson	20	Australia	1985
Cindy Crawford	21	Thailand	1988
Stephanie Seymour	19	Thailand	1988
Rachel Hunter	19	Mexico	1989
Vendela	25	Spain	1992
Stacey Williams	23	Majorca	1992
Tyra Banks	19	Florida Keys	1993
Rebecca Romijn	21	Pantelleria	1994
Daniela Pestova	24	Bermuda	1995
Niki Taylor	21	Los Roques	1997
Heidi Klum	24	Maldives	1998
Yamila Diaz-Rahi	21	Necker Island	1999
Elsa Benitez	22	Malaysia	2000
Molly Sims	26	Hawaii	2000
Petra Nemcova	21	Italy	2001
Ana Beatriz Barros	19	Costa Rica	2002
Marisa Miller	23	Costa Rica	2002
Jessica White	18	Kenya	2003

Locations

The swimsuit issue was once predominantly shot in one country per year. As the issue has grown in size, the number of locations has also increased.

• 1964 - Cozumel
• 1965 - Baja California
• 1966 - Bahamas
• 1967 - Arizona
• 1968 - French Polynesia
• 1969 - Puerto Rico
• 1970 - Hawaii
• 1971 - Dominican Republic
• 1972 - Marina del Ray
• 1973 - Bahamas
• 1974 - Puerto Rico
• 1975 - Cancún
• 1976 - Baja California
• 1977 - Maui
• 1978 - Brazil
• 1979 - Seychelles
• 1980 - British Virgin Islands
• 1981 - Florida
• 1982 - Kenya
• 1983 - Jamaica
• 1984 - Netherlands Antilles
• 1985 - Australia
• 1986 - French Polynesia
• 1987 - Dominican Republic
• 1988 - Thailand
• 1989 - Mexico, Seychelles, Kenya, Lake Powell, Kauai, St. Barts
• 1990 - The Grenadines, Windward Islands
• 1991 - Cruise theme - Turks & Caicos, Bali, St. Barts
• 1992 - Spain
• 1993 - Alaska, Florida Keys, Mackinac Island, Martha's Vineyard, Oahu
• 1994 - Pool theme - Southern California, Colorado, Florida, Bali, Pantelleria, Sardinia, St. Maarten, Mexico, Hong Kong
• 1995 - Bermuda, Costa Rica
• 1996 - South Africa
• 1997 - Bahamas, Monaco, Venezuela, Mexico, Malibu
• 1998 - Equator theme - Maldives, Kenya, Indonesia, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
• 1999 - Necker Island, Guana Island
• 2000 - Pacific theme - Malaysia, Oahu, Maui, Mexico
• 2001 - Tunisia, Greece, Italy, Bahamas, Las Vegas
• 2002 - Latin theme - Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, Spanish Harlem
• 2003 - Barbados, Kenya, Turkey, Florida Keys, Colorado, Vietnam, Grenada
• 2004 - Montauk, New York, Saranac Lake, New York, Mississippi, Wyoming, Arizona, Iowa
• 2005 - Bahamas, Honduras, Croatia, Chile, Thailand, Costa Rica, Belize
• 2006 - Hollywood, Tahiti, Las Vegas, Colombia, Bahamas, Palm Springs
• 2007 - Music theme - Florida, Memphis, Tennessee, Jamaica, Brazil, Maui, Grambling, Louisiana, Los Angeles, Arizona, Cleveland, Ohio
• 2008 - St. Petersburg, Russia, Singer Island, Florida, St. John's, Maui, Nicaragua, Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos, Israel

In 2008, the swimsuit edition held its first photo shoot in Russia. The photo shoots also took place in and around St. Petersburg at a number of locations such as Grand Hotel Europe, the Ice Breaker Crasin, Russian Standard Vodka distillery and the Avtovo Russian Circus. The models were photographed wearing the Ponahalo diamond necklace, a 295-(total) carat necklace valued at $14 million, the most expensive item in the issue.

References

External links

• SI.com
• SI.com - SI Swimsuit 2008