Ashley Smith Channeled Road Trip Chic During Her SI Swim Photoshoot on Route 66

The model and entrepreneur was photographed by Ben Morris for the 2015 issue.

Ananya Panchal | Oct 28, 2023

Ashley Smith was photographed by Ben Morris on Route 66.

Ben Morris/Sports Illustrated

One-time SI Swimsuit model Ashley Smith made her debut with the magazine in 2015, when she was featured in a unique and fun photoshoot with Ben Morris along Route 66.

The model, who entered the industry in 2008, has since been featured on the cover of Playboy magazine, in the pages of Italian Vogue and has participated in a major Diesel fragrance campaign. She also launched a capsule clothing line with RVCA the year before her SI Swimsuit feature.

Smith is also a DJ, represented by the Les Filles agency, and launched her own boutique modeling agency, NO AGENCY, that signs models, artists and creatives who challenge stereotypical beauty standards with their unique personality and minds.

“I would still consider myself a model, but through the name I’ve built in the modeling world, I have become involved in other projects in film, design and music. I even started NO AGENCY, which represents talent that are ‘not your typical type of model’... more muse and artist than model,” she told Highsnobiety. “Growing up in Texas made me tough, open minded and warmhearted. I’ve got that southern hospitality where I’ll make you a warm meal even if I don’t know you... I’m not sure if it was Texas or just the way I was raised, but I grew up very independent and not afraid.”

Below are five of our favorite photos from Smith’s 2015 photoshoot with Ben Morris.

Ashley Smith — Ben Morris/Sports Illustrated

Now through Nov. 1, 100% of SI Swimsuit’s portion of proceeds from cover prints purchased here will be donated to the Maui Strong Fund, which is helping to support the people and places of Maui affected by the recent wildfires.

Shop Now and Make a Difference

Published Oct 28, 2023

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.