German Model Kim Riekenberg Served Western Angel Vibes in Wyoming

The one-time SI Swimsuit model was photographed by Ruven Afanador for the 2020 issue.

Ananya Panchal | Nov 21, 2023

Kim Riekenberg was photographed by Ruven Afanador in Saratoga, Wyo.

Ruven Afanador/Sports Illustrated

German beauty Kim Riekenberg served major coastal cowgirl vibes before it was a mainstream fashion aesthetic. The one-time SI Swimsuit model was photographed by Ruven Afanador for the 2020 issue and posed in a series of fun and flirty Western-inspired looks in Saratoga, Wyo.

She described the photoshoot and location like a “living painting” and a “fairy tale.”

The 29-year-old welcomed her first baby with her husband, Alessandro Hasni, last month, and announced the news of the pregnancy in April. She began modeling in 2013 and has since been featured in numerous major magazines, including Elle Argentina, The Sunday Times Style, FACES Magazine and Vogue Arabia, and has stared in campaigns for luxury labels like Polo Ralph Lauren, Etam Emporio Armani and more.

“It’s such an exciting moment for me because I’m a rookie. I’m new to this family, but as I said in so many interviews before already, it felt like a family from the first moment. Even when I walked into [editor in chief] MJ Day’s office for the casting, I was so welcomed, and we had such a lovely talk,” Riekenberg recalled about her rookie experience. “It was very different from a typical casting. And I just left the building with such a good feeling, and the journey just continued like that. So I’m very glad that I had this opportunity to finally shoot for them. And I take it in my heart, and can’t wait for more.”

Below are five gorgeous photos from Riekenberg’s photoshoot in Wyoming.

Kim Riekenberg was photographed by Ruven Afanador in Saratoga, Wyo. Swimsuit by PQ Swim. Jacket by Levi's. Boots by Spell & The Gypsy Collective.

Kim Riekenberg was photographed by Ruven Afanador in Saratoga, Wyo. Swimsuit by Oh Polly.

Kim Riekenberg was photographed by Ruven Afanador in Saratoga, Wyo. Swimsuit by Frankies Bikinis. Top by HBarC Rancher. Boots by FRYE.

Kim Riekenberg was photographed by Ruven Afanador in Saratoga, Wyo. Bodysuit by Vintage Yves Saint Laurent. Hat by Tommy Hilfiger.

Kim Riekenberg was photographed by Ruven Afanador in Saratoga, Wyo. Swimsuit by N Hall. Jacket by Levi’s. Hat by Patagonia. Bracelet by Jessie Western.

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Published Nov 21, 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.