Sports Illustrated is inviting fans to recreate some of the most iconic images from Swimsuit Issues past — and brave bikini lovers have obliged, sharing photos of themselves in swimwear side-by-side with famous snaps of Elle Macpherson, Tyra Banks, and Heidi Klum.
On May 20, the official SI Swim account wrote: ‘Challenge Alert! We want to see our fans recreate these iconic SI Swimsuit moments AT HOME! Be sure to tag @si_swimsuit and #SwimsuitIconChallenge – we will be posting our favorites!’
Editor MJ Day chimed in as well, writing: ‘I’m pretty sure I haven’t been this excited about something in a while!’
In just a couple of weeks, dozens of women have used their own swimsuits, props, and carefully-chosen backdrops to emulate their favorite covers and spreads, giving Gigi Hadid, Brooklyn Decker, Ashley Graham, and Ronda Rousey a run for their money.
Even though many people can’t get to the beach due to the pandemic, these ladies are living it up with their best impressions of Christie Brinkley, Kate Upton, Olivia Culpo, Irina Shayk, and more.
Bikinis babes! Swimwear brand founder Lina Shek did an incredible job recreating a photo of Elle Macpherson in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for the #SwimsuitIconChallenge
Brave enough for body paint! Several fans joined in the challenge on Instagram, including Jessica Cortes (right), who donned body paint like Heidi Klum did in this 1999 shot (left)
Creative clone! A woman named Sierra Carter (left) may win the prize for most creative after posing in front of a Taco Bell
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! SI Swim editor MJ Day was so impressed with this woman’s recreation of a Tyra Banks shot that she shared it on her own page
Double the models! SI Swim model Allyn Rose (left) even joined in, recreating a shot by Hailey Clauson (right)
The PG version: Designer and model Hannah Mussette (left) also recreated this Heidi Klum favorite, though she appears to have done so with a real swimsuit rather than body paint
Beach inspo: Amanda Rodriguez (right), who is also a model, knew what she was doing when she re-made this Irina Shayk photo
Cover girl: Model Ava Cashman (right) teamed up with stylist Shannon Campbell to recreate a few SI Swim shots, including Ronda Rousey’s 2016 cover (left)
Take two: Ava also did her best impression of Gigi Hadid for another shot
That looks familiar! Body positive activist Junette Syster paid homage to Ashley Graham
DIY two-piece! Annette Witek (bottom) made her own version of Petra Nemcova’s all-natural bikini
How fortuitous! Swimwear brand maker Ada Bettina (right) just happened to have a bikini identical to Gigi Hadid’s lying around
Teaming up: These young women may not have had the same military-inspired swimwear, but they’ve got the pose, the attitude, and the patriotic colors
Prop winner! Hunter Allen (right) looks great, neigh, fantastic recreating this horse shot
Up for the challenge! She recreated a second shot, too, in a neon green bikini top
Tie-dye twins! Cortni Beers (right) also did an amazing job imitating Heidi Klum (and imitating the artist who painted on her swimsuit!)
Hats off to this one! Model Daegan branch (right) has Ashley Graham’s all hat, no swimsuit pose down pat
Crawling for a cover: Model Danielle Alexandra (bottom) really committed to re-making this Stephanie Seymour shot
Red hot! Model Irina Key (left) copied a shot of Rachel Hunter (right) in a red one-piece
Dreams: Another model, Cassie Claybaugh (left), recreated a Daniela Pestova cover
Seeing double! Ashley Nicole (right) had a ‘blast’ remaking this Camille Kostek shot
Strike a pose! A woman named Brianna turned to a topless shot — with statement shades — for her at-home shoot
Wishes she was there! Jessica Sue posed like Kate Upton and seems to have made use of a Zoom background
Loving it: Editor MJ Day shared a few roundups of her favorite images
Amazing! This one-strap shot was a particular favorite to remake at home