Camille Kostek Designed Her Own Dress for SI Swimsuit New York City Launch Party

Camille Kostek.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Camille Kostek is a woman who knows what she wants. For this year’s SI Swimsuit launch party at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City, she wanted a custom-designed dress that had some personal meaning. The 2019 cover star returned for her sixth year with the magazine and was photographed in the Dominican Republic by James Macari for this year’s issue.

View Camille Kostek‘s full 2023 SI Swimsuit gallery here.

Tailor Raquelle Pedraza worked with Kostek to bring a yearlong vision to life in just a week—and the dress was finished just hours before Thursday night’s event.

“I wear so many clothes that I really know what’s flattering on my figure, and I just had this vision in my mind. She did it,” the 31-year-old Kostek explained. “[It was] very inspired by Vivienne Westwood. I always love the corset figure.”

Camille Kostek.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Kostek said she wanted to combine her favorite colors, “firetruck red” and “Cinderella blue,” for the “best night of the year.” The dress featured an off-the-shoulder neckline with satin halter straps, a figure-hugging silhouette and a textured corseted bodice. Stylist Margot Zamet paired the two-tone gown with silver stilettos from Stuart Weitzman.

“Returing to SI Swimsuit means everything to me. Every time I go into shoots I bring rookie energy. I still can’t believe that this is year six,” she adds. “I remember my very first carpet back in 2017 with the team, and I am still just as excited as I was the first time. This brand, this team, everyone behind it—they’re like family to me. Once you join this brand and meet all of the girls, it really is a sisterhood.”

Camille Kostek was photographed by James Macari in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Miaou. Earrings by Gorjana.

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!