We’re Feeling Nostalgic Over These Incredible SI Swimsuit Covers From the 2010s

The decade produced some phenomenal issues.

Ananya Panchal | Feb 28, 2024

Nina Agdal, Lily Aldridge and Chrissy Teigen were photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands.

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Ahead of this May’s special and exciting 60th anniversary, the SI Swimsuit team has been taking a look back at some of the most iconic, noteworthy and stunning covers from the past several decades.

We decided to bring the joy and that sweet feeling of nostalgia to fans, with a series of recaps of our favorite pics from each of the decades. We’re almost at the end, but there’s no need to fear: the 2024 SI Swimsuit Issue is just a couple of months away, and we promise it will be one to remember.

Below are 10 years’ worth of incredible, powerful SI Swimsuit covers.

2010: Brooklyn Decker in the Maldives

The actress and mom of two landed on the front of the 2010 issue in an itty-bitty yellow string bikini. This one will forever be one of our favorite summer-inspired covers. The model, who starred in six consecutive SI Swimsuit Issues, was captured by Walter Iooss Jr. in the Maldives for her cover snapshoot, four years after she was named Rookie of the Year in ’06.

2011: Irina Shayk in Maui, Hawai’i

The Russian supermodel posed in a neon yellow-and-pink bikini for visual artist Bjorn Iooss in 2011, when she landed on the front of the issue following her feature in Maui, Hawai’i. The mom of one starred in 10 consecutive SI Swimsuit Issues, and is one of the few iconic models to do so.

2012: Kate Upton in Australia

The Michigan native landed her first cover during her sophomore year with the brand, when she traveled to Sydney and Cairns, Australia, with Iooss Jr.and stunned in a shimmery red-and-purple ombré micro bikini.

2013: Kate Upton in Antarctica

This breathtaking snap of the supermodel and three-time brand cover girl in Antarctica will go down in SI Swimsuit history as one of the most iconic pics of all time. Shout-out to photographer Derek Kettela!

2014: Nina Agdal, Chrissy Teigen and Lily Aldridge in the Cook Islands

Ten years ago, for the 50th anniversary issue, Nina Agdal, Lily Aldridge and Chrissy Teigen teamed up with visual artist James Macari in the Cook Islands for a pretty special trio snapshot.

2015: Hannah Davis in Walland, Tenn.

The five-time SI Swimsuit model has traveled everywhere from Guilin, China to Mexico to Tahiti with the brand. In 2015, she posed for Ben Watts amidst the breathtaking nature of Walland, Tenn., and landed on the cover of that year’s issue.

2016: Hailey Clauson in Turks and Caicos

The seven-time SI Swimsuit model posed topless on the beaches of Turks and Caicos for her 2016 cover photo shoot with Macari. Today, Clauson is a passionate advocate for creating change in the modeling industry, and even co-owns a boutique agency in Los Angeles.

2016: Ashley Graham in Turks and Caicos

The supermodel and mom of three made history with Macari in Turks and Caicos in 2016, as the first plus size model to grace the front of an SI Swimsuit Issue. Graham has been a trailblazer in the modeling and fashion industries for her entire career, and we’ll always be rooting for her.

2016: Ronda Rousey in Great Exuma, Bahamas

A two-time SI Swimsuit model and professional wrestler, Rousey participated in a fun, unique and special bodypaint feature in 2016 in the Bahamas that landed her on the cover of that year’s issue in a colorful one-piece. The Olympian worked with photographer Frederic Pinet and artist Joanne Gair.

2017: Kate Upton in Fiji

The SI Swimsuit legend landed her third brand cover when she traveled to Fiji with Yu Tsai in 2017, and posed for three separate jaw-dropping frontpage pics.

2018: Danielle Herrington in Harbour Island, Bahamas

The California native landed on the front of the 2018 issue just a year after her SI Swimsuit debut. If that’s not the speediest, most exciting career trajectory, we don’t know what is. Herrington, who posed for the brand five years in a row, was captured by Watts in Harbour Island, Bahamas. Her idol and personal icon, Tyra Banks, got to break the news of her cover to Herrington—watch the special moment here.

2019: Camille Kostek in Kangaroo Island, Australia

The Swim Search co-winner made history in 2019 as the first open casting call alumna to land on the cover of an SI Swimsuit Issue. The model and TV host has now starred in a total of six magazines for the brand, and we will never get tired of her vibrant and contagious smile. She traveled to Kangaroo Island, Australia, for her cover feature, and worked with talented photographer Josie Clough.

2019: Tyra Banks in Great Exuma, Bahamas

The actress and industry icon practically broke the internet when she came out of retirement to star on the cover of the 2019 issue, after posing in the Bahamas for Laretta Houston.

2019: Alex Morgan in St. Lucia

The professional athlete, who plays soccer for the NWSL’s San Diego Wave FC and the US women’s national team, starred in the ’12, ’14 and ’19 SI Swimsuit Issues. She landed on the cover of the latter, following her trip to St. Lucia with Watts.

Published Feb 28, 2024

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a NYC-based Lifestyle & Trending News writer at SI Swimsuit. Before joining the Swim team, the Boston University Alum worked for culture & entertainment beats at Bustle, The San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When Ananya is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, she can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast.