Watch Leyna Bloom’s Throwback to 2023 SI Swim Launch Week in New York City

The three-time brand star absolutely dazzled on the red carpet.

Leyna Bloom.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

It’s hard to believe that the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue launch took place five months ago, and model Leyna Bloom seems to be in a nostalgic mood regarding the New York City event.

On Oct. 13, the three-time brand star, who landed the magazine’s cover as a rookie in ’21, shared a glamorous TikTok of the red carpet event that took place at the Hard Rock Hotel on May 18. The clip began with Bloom descending a staircase in an intricate mini dress dripping in pearl accents with a plunging sweetheart neckline. The Chicago native accented her look with sky-high stilettos and wore her hair in voluminous waves.

She greeted rookie Jennifer Atilémile in the lobby before exiting the hotel to hit the red carpet, where she signed autographs and chatted with editor in chief MJ Day. Bloom then nailed her poses for photographers and stopped to talk with reporters. The throwback footage ended with Bloom striking a few more poses inside an after-party event.

The model’s SI Swimsuit Issue cover two years ago was a historical one, as Bloom was the first transgender model to land the front of the magazine in the brand’s history. She was photographed in Tampa, Fla., by Yu Tsai that year and has returned to the fold each year since. 

Bloom reunited with Yu Tsai in Belize for the 2022 SI Swimsuit Issue, while this year, she was photographed in Dominica by Amanda Pratt for the magazine. 

“I felt so connected to Amanda. She is literally God-sent—the most amazing energy, we just vibed right away,” Bloom told SI Swimsuit. “It wasn’t a [typical] shoot. It felt like a bunch of girls taking beautiful photos together.”

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