Swimsuit

Katie Austin and Christen Harper Reveal a Surprise About Miami Swim Week Runway

The three-time SI Swimsuit models returned to the catwalk earlier this month at the W South Beach.

Cara O’Bleness

Katie Austin and Christen Harper.

Katie Austin and Christen Harper.

Katie Austin and Christen Harper are no strangers to the Miami Swim Week runway. The reigning co-Rookies of the Year returned to the SI Swimsuit catwalk for the third time earlier this month, and we caught up with the models and besties before the main event at the W South Beach on July 7. 

With several years of experience under their belts showcasing the latest and hottest swimwear trends on the runway, the two revealed a surprising fun fact about the experience. While models effortlessly strut the Miami Swim Week runway in the trendiest bikinis and one-pieces sans footwear, doing so without shoes on is actually a lot trickier than it looks.

“People don’t understand how hard it is to walk barefoot,” Austin shares, to which Harper emphatically agrees. “I would rather walk in like two inch heels down a runway... Barefoot’s actually a lot harder, and it’s slippery out there.”

Walking a slick poolside runway is one thing, but this year, talent had to overcome an additional challenge: water on the catwalk from a tropical storm earlier in the evening, making the platform extra treacherous. Regardless, Austin, Harper and their fellow models pulled things off without a hitch, making for yet another incredible SI Swimsuit presence at Miami Swim Week.

Harper, 30, strutted the runway in a statement-making graphic T-shirt and a sparkly pink string bikini, while Austin, 29, rocked a strappy white bikini and a bright purple two-piece—and she even busted out her dance moves at the end of her walk. Despite the added challenge presented on this year’s runway, both women proved their professionalism and executed their walks flawlessly.

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Cara O’Bleness

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara O’Bleness is a writer and editor on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Prior to joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, O’Bleness loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University’s School of Journalism.

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