NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In a spectacular
assemblage of entertainment impresarios, international fashion
zeitgeists, philanthropists and jaw-dropping beauty, twenty-two
former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit @SI_Swimsuit cover models will
be featured in a Salute to the Legends of Swimsuit editorial
production that serves as a cornerstone of SI Swimsuit 2014
premiering February 18 across the
web, mobile and newsstands.
Carol Alt, Tyra Banks, Elsa
Benitez, Christie Brinkley,
Brooklyn Decker, Yamila Diaz-Rahi,
Rachel Hunter, Kathy Ireland, Heidi
Klum, Babette March,
Marisa Miller, Carolyn Murphy, Petra
Nemcova, Daniela Pestova,
Paulina Porizkova, Bar Refaeli, Rebecca
Romijn, Irina Shayk, Cheryl
Tiegs, Kate Upton, Vendela
and Veronica Varekova were brought together in New York City last fall for a
once-in-a-lifetime event – the largest one-time gathering of
Swimsuit cover models in history.
"The legacy of Swimsuit is personified through the trailblazing
careers of its cover models and it was important to celebrate these
extraordinary women as part of our 50th Anniversary,"
said SI Swimsuit editor MJ Day.
Sports Illustrated Productions captured exclusive one-on-one
interviews with the cover models, current and former editors and
photographers who shared raucous behind-the-scenes tales from
Swimsuit shoots and cover model glory. World-renowned
photographer Walter Iooss Jr. – with
more than five decades of shooting Swimsuit, including 12 covers –
was given the assignment to capture these legends, reuniting him
with many of his former subjects.
A new legend is also joining the ranks this year. Making her
first Sports Illustrated Swimsuit appearance in 2014 is none other
than the iconic doll, Barbie®. Launched in 1959 in her
classic black and white bathing suit, Barbie® doll is now joining
the ranks of the legendary models of Sports Illustrated
Swimsuit. Barbie – like many of these women – made her public
debut in a swimsuit. And like many of these women, Barbie has gone
on to enjoy success in a number of careers – more than 150 careers,
in fact.
SI commissioned Walter Iooss
Jr. to produce a special editorial shoot featuring 22
Barbie® dolls. Also look for behind-the-scenes coverage of the
legends' production with cameos from Barbie to be featured across
SI SwimDaily @SI_Swimdaily.
"From its earliest days, Swimsuit has delivered a message of
empowerment, strength and beauty and we are delighted that Barbie
is celebrating those core values in such a unique manner," said
Day.
Barbie is also a proud partner of the Sports Illustrated
Swimsuit 50th Anniversary Celebration. As an
anniversary tribute, Barbie is issuing a collector Sports
Illustrated™ Barbie® Doll, now available exclusively on Target.com.
Barbie will also host a pink-carpet event at the SI Swimsuit Beach
House on February 17, with fellow
Swimsuit legends on hand to kick off Swimsuit 2014 launch week.
Fans can follow the doll @Barbie and join the conversation online
with #unapologetic.
About Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
The Sports
Illustrated Swimsuit (SI.com/Swimsuit) franchise reaches more than
62 million people annually, and more men 18 to 34 than the Super
Bowl. The iconic franchise now spans more than 20 product
extensions in digital social, broadcast, publishing, mobile and
consumer products, along with supporting a vibrant experiential
marketing business. Since debuting in 1964 Swimsuit has become a
pop-culture phenomenon and an established launching pad for
successful careers in TV, fashion, business and film including
those of Kathy Ireland, Cheryl Tiegs, Tyra
Banks and Heidi Klum.
All of Swimsuit's product extensions are built upon a heritage of
amazing photography and footage of gorgeous models and athletes
from the most exotic locations in the world.
About Mattel
The Mattel family of companies (Nasdaq:
MAT) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and
marketing of toys and family products. Mattel's portfolio of
best-selling brands includes Barbie®, the most popular
fashion doll ever produced, Hot Wheels®, Monster
High®, American Girl®, Thomas &
Friends® and Fisher-Price® brands, including
Little People® and Power Wheels®, as well as
a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2013, Mattel
was named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by Ethisphere
Magazine and is also ranked No. 2 on Corporate Responsibility
Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. With worldwide
headquarters in El Segundo,
Calif., Mattel's companies employ nearly 30,000 people in 40
countries and territories and sell products in more than 150
nations. At Mattel, we are Creating the Future of Play.
Visit us at www.mattel.com, www.facebook.com/mattel or
www.twitter.com/mattel.
©2014 Mattel. All Rights Reserved.
MAT-B
SOURCE Sports Illustrated