Swimsuit Launch Week Diary Day 1: The Models Descend on Tent City

Andy Gray | Feb 8, 2015

Day 1 started with the official release of the issue (and the 500 or so online images that you should check out after reading this). After months of photo shoots, sales meetings and tent discussions, launch week was finally here. This year, SI set up an enormous tent in Manhattan's Herald Square (dubbed Swim City) with an event open to the public. Stations were set up throughout the tent to represent the seven different shoot locations for the year's 'Made in the USA' issue. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at all the action.

MORE SWIMSUIT LAUNCH WEEK DIARY: The Lead-Up

This is the view when you first walk into the tent. There were a lot of distracted people walking into each other.

After walking in, I spotted Kelly Rohrbach and made her pose in front of the Kelly Rohrbach banner. To be artistic, we went with a coat on/coat off version. I think it was a strong decision.

After some quality time with Nina, I headed home for the day. Come back tomorrow for more behind-the-scenes action from SI's Swim City Tent.

Published Feb 8, 2015

ANDY GRAY

A senior editor atSI.com, Andy Gray oversees Hot Clicks, Extra Mustard and the Swimsuit site. A Boston sports loyalist and Columbia graduate, he joined SI in 2005.