Sarah Brandner Shows Her Team Spirit in These 5 SI Swim Bodypaint Photos

The German model posed for the 2010 SI Swimsuit Issue.

Cara O’Bleness | Oct 21, 2023

Sarah Brandner was photographed by Yu Tsai in a New York studio.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

When German model Sarah Brandner posed for the 2010 SI Swimsuit Issue, she didn’t travel to an exotic beach for a seaside feature like most photoshoots the brand is known for. Instead, the Munich native participated in a unique bodypaint feature with makeup artist Joanne Gair and photographer Yu Tsai.

At the time, Brandner was dating now-retired pro soccer player Bastian Schweinsteiger, who played for the German national team at the time. Her SI Swimsuit photoshoot was soccer themed, as that year, the publication featured several wives and girlfriends of pro soccer stars. Abigail Clancy, Bethany Dempsey and Melissa Satta also participated in the New York studio project.

For her feature, Brandner donned a painted-on soccer jersey that was partially torn away on top, along with a pair of polka dot bikini bottoms. “I’m wearing the Germany jersey, it’s very short but brilliant,” Brandner, now 34, said at the time. “It looks really real, but it doesn’t feel real.”

Today, Brandner continues to work as a model and is also a nutritionist. She is currently represented by the female-led SESAMY talent agency based in Berlin. Brandner regularly shares lifestyle and work content on social media with her 25,200 Instagram followers.

While her SI Swimsuit feature took place more than a dozen years ago, the photos that resulted from her studio session are just as stunning today as they were in 2010. Below, we’re throwing it back to a few of our favorite photos from the model’s bodypaint feature.

Sarah Brandner — Yu Tsai/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 21, 2023

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara 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, Cara 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.