Birthday Girl Camille Kostek’s Best Animal Print Swimwear Looks Over the Years

The SI Swimsuit legend celebrates her 34th birthday today, Feb. 19.

Camille Kostek was photographed by James Macari in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Miaou. Earrings and necklaces by Gorjana. / James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Happy birthday to our very own SI Swimsuit legend, Camille Kostek! The Connecticut native celebrates another trip around the sun today, Feb. 19, as she turns 34.

Kostek, a former NFL cheerleader with the New England Patriots, has a long-running history with the SI Swimsuit brand. A co-winner of our inaugural Swim Search competition in 2018, she has been featured in each annual magazine since. Her travels with the brand have taken her around the world, and the model has accomplished some incredible achievements throughout her time with SI Swimsuit.

Following her Swim Search victory, Kostek landed the cover of the 2019 SI Swimsuit Issue as a rookie. She was photographed by Josie Clough on Kangaroo Island, Australia, and her cover feature was a turning point in Kostek’s career.

“The cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, that photo put me on the map internationally in 2019,” she has said. “It literally changed my life. Whenever I’m feeling lost or looking for a new direction or not sure where I’m going to go next in life, that photo [is a] reminder of all the things I had to get through personally to be in a space where I could glow and be recognized.”

In 2024, her seventh consecutive year with SI Swimsuit, Kostek was named a brand legend. In addition to posing alongside a group of other legendary women for that year’s 60th anniversary issue, she was photographed for a solo spread in Portugal.

“Let this be a reminder that if you have a fire in your soul about a dream that feels far fetched … it’s not and it’s waiting for you to arrive AS YOU ARE ✨,” Kostek wrote on Instagram that year of going from Swim Search contestant to cover model to brand legend all within a few years of one another.

Outside of her work with SI Swimsuit, Kostek is a host and designer who has collaborated with brands like La Porte on a swimwear line and Dune Jewelry on a variety of accessories. In honor of her 34th birthday today, we’re throwing it back to a few of our favorite snapshots of Kostek clad in animal print swimwear over the years.

As you can see below, the trendy, yet timeless, pattern works beautifully whether in bikini form, a strappy one-piece or incorporated into a long sleeved rash guard perfect for a day of activity near the water.

Kangaroo Island, 2019

Camille Kostek was photographed by Josie Clough on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Swimsuit by Monica Hansen Beachwear. / Josie Clough/Sports Illustrated

Dominican Republic, 2020 and 2023

Camille Kostek was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Isabella Rose. / Kate Powers/Sports Illustrated

Camille Kostek was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Sidway Swimwear. / Kate Powers/Sports Illustrated

Camille Kostek was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Lahana Swim. / Kate Powers/Sports Illustrated

Camille Kostek was photographed by James Macari in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by GIGI C. / James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Camille Kostek was photographed by James Macari in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Miaou. Earrings and necklaces by Gorjana. / James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Hollywood, Fla., 2021

Camille Kostek was photographed by Ben Watts in Hollywood, Fla. Swimsuit by Sophie Deloudi. Scarf by Hermes. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

SI Swimsuit Runway, 2025

Camille Kostek. Swimsuit by LSPACE. Hat by Zandria. Sarong by Myra Swim. Belt by Streets Ahead. / Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated / Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

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