Bermuda shines in Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue
Bermuda serves as the background for the iconic annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, with photographs highlighting unique locations across the island.
In collaboration with the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the US-based magazine and eight influential women travelled to the island in March to shoot for their upcoming spread.
The release has been greatly anticipated, as the last time the publication shot in Bermuda was 30 years ago in 1995.
The BTA hailed it as “a global invitation to experience Bermuda”.
The 1995 issue, entitled Basking in Bermuda, included models Rebecca Romijn, Cheryl Tiegs and Angie Everhart. The photoshoot by Walter Iooss Jr spotlighted the landscape and architecture unique to Bermuda.
When it came to revisiting the island this year, acclaimed celebrity photographer Ben Watts wanted to pay homage to Bermuda’s debut in the publication.
He said: “I love Bermuda and always thought it was an incredible location, so I was super excited to return.
“The beaches are world-class and we had so many incredible options for this shoot.
“It was fun to see where some of the 1995 edition was photographed. We even recreated one of the photos with Ilona Maher on the staple white roof.”
Ms Maher is an American rugby player who won a bronze medal in the 2024 Olympic Games as part of the USA women’s rugby sevens team.
She is a popular social-media influencer who has built a platform on body positivity advocacy, a theme of this year’s swimsuit issue.
Additional models for the Bermuda feature include Ellie Thumann, Jena Sims, Brooks Nader, Achieng Agutu and Katie Austin.
The cover photographs of this year’s edition highlight four powerful women, with Bermuda providing the background for two: Olivia “Livvy” Dunne and Lauren Chan.
Ms Dunne is a gymnast and social-media influencer who rose to popularity in 2020 for sharing her life and career on social media as a member of the Louisiana State University women’s gymnastics team.
Between the platforms Instagram and TikTok, she has amassed more than 13 million followers and led college athletes in NIL — name, image, likeness — earnings.
Lauren Chan is a journalist, television personality and influencer.
She is the former fashion news editor of Glamour magazine, a renowned women’s publication, and has designed a clothing line with the brand Lane Bryant.
Touching on her history as a plus-sized model, she uses her platform to create inclusivity awareness with a special focus on body positivity and the LGBTQ+ community.
Jamari Douglas, the vice-president of marketing at the BTA, said the Bermuda exposure was a double win.
He told The Royal Gazette: “This is a testament to the power of the partnership between the BTA and Sports Illustrated.
“This opportunity was the result of our earned media efforts, and we are honoured to have hosted the production at Cambridge Beaches, which provided the perfect backdrop to highlight Bermuda’s unique sense of place.”
Mr Douglas said Horseshoe Bay, Grotto Bay, Tobacco Bay and the Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve “also provided such diversity, giving Bermuda two of the four covers, which is a momentous achievement and something we should all be proud of”.
He added: “The partnership not only resulted in standout print coverage but also integrated Bermuda into video diaries and creative elements that accompanied each model’s story and experience on the island.
“Our location, talent and professionalism make us a world-class choice, and we plan to bring even more shoots of this calibre to the island.
“To date, the campaign has generated over $9 million in earned media value, including features in The New York Post and other international outlets.
“This goes far beyond a cover moment; it's a business development success and a global invitation to experience Bermuda.”
Before the release of the latest edition, a representative from Sports Illustrated Swimsuit stated how the publication was “thrilled to be back” on the island.
“Ben Watts, who has worked with SI Swimsuit for many years, is one of our most trusted collaborators,” the representative said.
“We knew he would be the perfect choice to not only showcase the beauty of our talent but also capture the breathtaking locations of Bermuda.”
This was reiterated by Mr Watts, who said: “The bright-blue water really set the stage for this shoot and inspired the vibe. The caves were also amazing — the water colour is unmatched.“
Mr Watts also praised the efforts by local partners the BTA and Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa in arranging this shoot.
“All expectations were met completely as far as locations go,” he said. “It’s amazing and it’s very easy to travel to.
“The Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa had service and food and was full of character. I’d love to take the family for a holiday and definitely return for work.
“Everybody would be impressed by the beaches, the water and even the architecture. The island is kept with a lot of pride.
“We worked hand in hand with Bermuda Tourism. They were amazing and super helpful. They took us to the best locations the island has to offer. The local crew were extremely helpful as well. I definitely recommend working there — it’s a seamless experience.“
• Video supplied by Sports Illustrated
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