SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT DEBUTS EXCLUSIVE NEW COLLECTIONS
For the first time ever, Time Inc.'s (NYSE: TIME) Sports Illustrated Swimsuit hosted a series of runway shows and events at SWIMMIAMI during Miami Swim Week—the swimwear industry's premiere annual showcase. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit's takeover of the industry's top gathering culminated on Saturday night, July 22, at a hotly anticipated runway show to debut the all-new line of Sports Illustrated Swim and Active apparel during SWIMMIAMI's prime-time slot at 8:00 p.m. at The W South Beach. The show was one of the hottest tickets in town as VIP guests packed the seating and standing room spaces to full capacity to watch the brand's diverse group of models unveil the new collection on the "Wet Deck" — a runway appropriately placed over the venue's outdoor pool.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Samantha Hoopes opened the show and was followed by a vibrant, energy-filled runway display put on by the group of 15 final contestants from Sports Illustrated Swimsuit's first open casting call competition. Spectators applauded the new collection and the diversity of body types and personalities represented by the group of up-and-coming models selected by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit for the exclusive event. The show closed with former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model Hailey Clauson joined by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Editor MJ Day to walk the runway. Together they surprised all those in attendance by jumping from the runwayinto the surrounding pool and were joined in the water by Samantha Hoopes shortly thereafter as the historic show officially came to an end.
Celebrity attendees to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit's 2018 Collection runway show with SWIMMIAMI on July 22 included: Paxton (Former Contestant on The Voice), Abigail Ratchford (Model), Sade Serena (Singer), Georgie Gibbs (Model), Angel Brink (Designer, Reality TV Star on Love & Hip Hop LA), Ashley Nicole (Reality TV Star on WAGS), Carmen Carrera (Model, Actress).
On Thursday, July 20, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit presented SWIMMIAMI's opening party at The W South Beach, which featured a special runway show put on by the #SISwimSearch models celebrating the iconic brand's impact on the swimwear industry and the body positive movement. The evening also featured a special performance by recording artist Wale, and celebrities in attendance included: Tyson Beckford (Model, Actor) and Carmen Carrera (Model, Actress), Kate Bock (Model), Ace Hood (Rapper), Audrina Patridge (Reality TV Star, Model, Owner of Prey Brand), Olivia Occhigrossi (Miss Florida Teen America 2017), Ace Hood (Rapper), Stephanie Acevedo (Singer), Ashley Nicole (Reality TV Star on WAGS), Metisha Schaefer (Model), Nicole Williams (Reality TV Star on WAGS), Barbie Blank (Former Wrestler, Reality TV Star on WAGS), Darnell Nicole (Reality TV Star on WAGS).
The Top 15 #SISwimSearch models chosen to participate with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in Miami include women of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds from all around the world, ranging from a former Miss USA to models from Spain, Germany and more. They are Allie Ayers, Camille Kostek, Dessie Mitcheson, Haley Kalil, Iyonna Fairbanks, Kate De Paz, Kayla Fitzgerald, Keyeriah Miles, Michelle Vidal, Olivia Jordan, Sarina Nowak, Shelby Mclean, Stefanie Rachel, Steph Snyder and Tabria Majors. In addition to the runway shows, these models also showcased the 2018 Sports Illustrated Swim and Active collections for an exclusive Sports Ilustrated photo shoot in Miami and at Sports Illustrated Swimsuit's first-ever tradeshow at the Miami Convention Center to present the new apparel lines. These final model search contestants are also vying for a chance to be featured in the 2018 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Follow Sports Illustrated Swimsuit on Facebook and Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at all of the action in Miami.
