The year 1964 is etched in the history books for such monumental achievements as the Civil Rights Act, the Ford Mustang, and Buffalo wings. But let us not forget the golden anniversary of the Sports Illustrated swimsmoke issue.
The Travel Channel's much-appreciated "Behind the Scenes" look at the making of the issue documented SI’s big 5-0 with the theme of "From Sand to Space." Weirdly, that is also a summary of the plot of "The Phantom Menace," a film that could've used some body paint. My bet for the swimsmoke most likely to fall to the Dark Side: Bregje Heinen, for refusing to sing "Happy Birthday."
She could pass as a Sith Lord.
Other models, like Irina Shayk, took more creative liberties with the classic diddy.
An Angel returning to the Heavens aside, SI’s 50th most memorable spread was when they assembled all their former cover smokes as a testament to the strength of the swimsmoke mag in the 21st century. The cover smokes hailed from across five nations. We were reminded that Stacey’s Mom was once a SI swimsmoke.
It took Emily Ratajkowski 15 hours to replicate Bar Refaeli’s classic ’07 guitar-pick bikini with body paint. As SI swimsmoke editor-in-chief MJ Day has said, the 50th anniversary issue is a tribute to swimsmokes past. (Note: Emily is wearing more in this image than she did in the legendary "Blurred Lines" video.)
I'll let you compare the two for yourself.
While the glossed swimsmoke magazine release date on that blessed Tuesday in mid-February has become a national holiday, the tome’s production could also double as a National Geographic documentary, classic theme song and all. SI’s intrepid editors and photographers put Anthony Bourdain to shame as they venture into parts unknown to snag the finest swimsmoke photos modern civilization has ever known.
You don't see Anthony Bourdain grappling with lemurs when he's stuffing his face with Kazakh goat testes.
These desolate shoots can also be dangerous. When this hair stylist tried using Anne V's head to break his fall, he almost ripped it off.
True to her newly minted American nature, Anne rallied from setbacks and executed the shot flawlessly.
The Cook Islands shoot that gifted the world with this year's cover was equally remote. It was so isolated, Nina Agdal and Chrissy Teigen lost their senses. This isn't the Victoria's Secret runway, Lily Aldridge!
Thankfully, they too rallied in the face of adversity and did their jobs to perfection.
SI is not deterred by gravity. History will debate what was more impressive, the Air Force sending a man to break the speed of sound or SI sending Kate Upton to her rightful place in the Heavens. She's just pleased she's not freezing her ass off in Antarctica this year.
I’m picking Kate. Chuck Yeager has nothing on her.
Drink up, Kate Bock, you gals earned it.
Legendary photographer Walter Iooss Jr. has said the swimsuit issue has become "a Norman Rockwellian piece of Americana." If you could sum up Americana in one GIF, it would be this one:
To 50 more years of the SI swimsmoke issue!