Look: This Iconic Barbie Was Also Once a SI Swimsuit Cover Model

Before hitting the big screen this summer, Barbie was an SI Swimsuit legend.

Walter Iooss/Sports Illustrated

In a fit of nostalgia inspired by Greta Gerwig’s phenomenal recent production, Barbie has been top of mind throughout the summer of 2023. But long before she made it big on theater screens, the doll made an important appearance in the 2014 SI Swimsuit Issue.

That year, the brand partnered with Mattel to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the magazine. The collaboration gave Barbie her SI Swimsuit debut and the chance to work with photographer Walter Iooss. The session was a blast all around, according to Iooss. “She’s like the best model I’ve ever worked with. She takes directions almost silently,” Iooss joked on set.

In addition to landing her own studio photoshoot, Barbie had the chance to meet 22 famous supermodels for SI Swimsuit’s 50th anniversary feature at Pier 59 Studios. 

“Barbie’s really helping out everywhere. [She’s] helped us with wardrobe, she has a really great sense of fashion [and] she really gets the look of Sports Illustrated, too,” SI Swimsuit editor in chief MJ Day said of the icon.

The 2014 SI Swimsuit launch party also drew inspiration from the doll, who took to the red carpet alongside the other legendary brand models.

Walter Iooss/Sports Illustrated

“Barbie went through time along with us. It was a great partnership. It was very organic to begin with,” Christopher Herick, former Sports Illustrated creative director, said at the Barbie-themed launch party. “Barbie is all about empowerment of women, and that’s all SI has ever been about.”

Like Barbie herself, the crossover was as timely—and timeless—then as it is now. The promotional cover wrap was featured inside the 2014 issue where Nina Agdal, Lily Aldridge and Chrissy Teigen graced the actual cover.

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