Spotted  

2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue: An Inside Peak

Designer Swimwear buyer Yasmin Newman takes us on a journey through the world’s most coveted and highly anticipated swimsuit lineup of the year…

It’s that time of year again, that time we’ve all been waiting for. Yes, the release of the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is finally here!

And what a truly spectacular year this year is. The 2008 edition takes us round the world once again, from the historic city of St. Petersburg in Russia to a rainforest hideaway in Maui, Hawaii, scouting out the sexiest locations you could dig up. And amongst some perennial favorites, we also meet the new girls on the block - the 2008 Sports Illustrated Rookies.

So let’s take a look inside, and savor the sights (not to mention the incredible swimsuits) found in this year’s 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue…

Sports Illustrated 2008: The Cover

Landing the cover of Sports Illustrated is something like winning the jackpot in Vegas, or receiving a gold medal at the Olympics. It is the ultimate prize. But unlike Vegas, it’s not all about luck. Marissa Miller, this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covergirl, is testament to this. Having modeled swimwear for years, and for some of the industries most illustrious swimwear designers including Sauvage Swimwear, Marissa Miller has definitely earned her stripes. Shot on location in St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Miss Miller sparkles against a sunset backdrop wearing only an Anna Kosturova swimsuit bottom and glittering jeweled necklaces by Badgley Mischka and Mary Louise Designs.

 

The 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models

This year we see the return of swimwear sirens Bar Rafaeli (current girlfriend of Leonardo di Caprio), Jessica White, Brooklyn Decker, Julie Henderson, Oluchi Onweagba, Anne V., Anna Beatriz Barros, Tori Praver, Irina Shayk, Selita Ebanks, Daniella Sarahyba and of course, covergirl Marissa Miller.

We were also lucky enough to meet a total of seven new blossoming beauties, also known as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Rookies. From American born Quiana Grant, Melissa Haro and Melissa Baker, to Hawaiian beauty Jarah Mariano, Perth, Australia girl Jessica Gomes, as well as Brazilian babes Yasmin Brunet and Jeisa Chiminazzo, this year’s newest talent certainly gives some our previous favorites a run for their money!

And let us not forget the special guest appearances by the NFL cheerleaders, Indycar driver Danica Patrick, the four wives of sporting stars Jeff Gordon, La La Vazquez, Carmella Garcia and Johnny Damon, actor-comedian Will Ferrell and long-time Sports Illustrated favorite Heidi Klum.

The Locations

Sports Illustrated wouldn’t be Sports Illustrated without red-hot destinations so tempting you’d want to pack up your bags right now and jump on the first plane outta here! And this year’s trail blaze around the globe is no different. The journey begins in the historic city of St Petersburg in Russia were Russian born models Anne V. and Irina Shayk give us a guided tour around town. We next head to Israel to pay a visit to Caesarea and the enchanting Dead Sea where models Brooklyn Decker, Julie Henderson, Jessica Gomes and Tel-Aviv native Bar Rafaeli are kind enough to show us the sights.

After a 70s themed extravaganza and dance about town with funny man Will Ferrell and model Heidi Klum, Sports Illustrated heads to Lahana, Maui where models Jessica White, Tori Praver and Jarah Mariano show how to enjoy life Hawaii style. And this year, Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos play backdrop to the stunning yearly showcase of ‘Body Paint’ executed by world-renowned body painter Joanne Gair, while St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands offers a water wonderland for models Oluchi Onweagba, Melissa Baker, and covergirl Marissa Miller.

Heidi Klum and Will Farrel, Red Carter Swimwear

View our Red Carter Swimwear Collection

Next stop is Singer Island, Florida where Indycar driver Danica Patricks swaps her racecar leathers for some sexy bikinis, before Sports Illustrated heads to Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands for a bit of pirate warfare with models Daniella Sarahyba, Melissa Haro and Selita Ebanks.

And last but not least, we journey to San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua to watch Ana Beatriz Barros, Jeisa Chiminazzo and Quiana Grant frolick in the sun before ending the world tour back in Maui in Haiku. Models Jessica White and Yasmin Brunet bid us adieu from their hideaway tucked away in the beautiful rainforest, and while it is sad to see the journey finish, it is the perfect ending to a whirlwind tour.

The 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuits

And now to our favorite part - the swimsuits!
Did you know that around 30 percent of readers who buy the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue are women? Yes, we women all love to dream about beautiful beach destinations and island getaways, and we certainly won’t deny that we don’t enjoy admiring the gorgeous Sports Illustrated swimsuit models. But when you boil it down, we’re in it for the swimwear!

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has become somewhat of a bible for those interested in the ‘what’s hot’ of designer swimwear, so let’s take a look at this year’s swimwear designer lineup…

This year’s top favorite would have to be Beach Bunny Swimwear, followed very closely by Delfina Swimwear, Pompei Beach and Luli Fama. Red Carter, Zoe NYC, Debbie Wilson for Maui Girl, Ashley Paige for Girls Gone Wild, Becca by Rebecca Virtue, Domani and Letarte Swimwear all put on a good show with a couple of features as did Sugar Free, La Perla Mare, Perry Ellis, Chio di Stefania D, Badgley Mischka Swimwear and Anna Kosturova.

Lady Lace by Beach Bunny Swimwear

View Our Beach Bunny Collection

Amongst others Ondademar, Betsey Johnson, Emamo, Birdie Jo Swimwear, Maryan Mehlhorn, Pursuit, Melissa Odabash, Agua Bendita, Sauvage Swimwear, Karla Colletto, La Isla Courture, Vicky Moreinis Swimwear, Salinas Swimwear, Lenny, Cia Maritima, Aquarelle, Vix Swimwear, Lunazul, Juicy Couture, Aqua di Lara, Shay Todd, Lisa Lozano, Eberjey, Omo Norma Kamali, Trina Turk, V Del Sol and Diva were all featured.

But with so many great designers, not to mention swimsuit styles, there’s not enough time in a day! For a full list of the swimwear designers featured in the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, visit www.si.com. And make sure to check out the 2008 issue for yourself to choose your favorite designers and designer swimsuits.

So until next year, Sports Illustrated leaves you with some very pleasant thoughts…

© Yasmin Newman
Yasmin Newman is a swimwear buyer for online retail store Azura Swimwear.
www.azuraswimwear.com

Azura News

Seriously Sports Illustrated: Part 2

Sports Illustrated and Azura Swimwear continued…

As mentioned in the previous post here, Azura Swimwear is the proud stockist of four 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue designers - Beach Bunny Swimwear, Red Carter, Birdie Jo Swimwear and Sauvage Swimwear.

In case you haven’t had a chance to peruse the magazine as yet, here’s a little like peak inside…

Birdie Jo

Shot on location in St. Petersburg, Russia, super sexy Russian model Anne V. wears super cute Birdie Jo Swimwear bottom paired with a top by Cynthia Rose New York.

 

Birdie Jo Swimwear, Anne V 
View Our Birdie Jo Collection

Red Carter & Sauvage Swimwear

Supermodel mom Heidi Klum teamed up with funny man Will Ferrell (soon to star in a new basketball flick Semi-Pro) for a 70s styled swimwear extravaganza…

Heidi Klum in swimsuit by Elizabeth Southwood for Sauvage Swimwear

View Our Sauvage Swimwear Collection

More Red Carter…

Ready for the swimsuit debut of the NFL cheerleaders? Here here to Meghan White of the New England Patriots sporting one stunning Red Carter bikini.

 

Meghan White, New England Patriots in swimsuit by Red Carter

View Our Red Carter Collection  

Known as a pirate haven of untold riches, the Cayman Islands makes a perfect backdrop for beautiful bikini clad babes. Just take a look at model Daniella Sarahyba in this breathtaking one piece by Red Carter…

Daniella Sarahyba in swimsuit by Red Carter

View Our Red Carter Collection 

 

Beach Bunny

 

Beach Bunny Swimwear made quite a few appearances this year, jetsetting to every corner of the world and gracing some of the planet’s most beautiful women. Check out the fun time Beach Bunny has been having!

 

Pirates indeed! Watch out for Melissa Haro in Spellbound by Beach Bunny Swimwear, also shot on location in the Cayman Islands… boy, if looks could kill! If you’d like your very own Spellbound bikini, click here and you can buy one right here at Azura Swimwear.

 
Beach Bunny, Melissa Haro in the Cayman Islands

View our Beach Bunny Collection  

 

Model Selita Ebanks was also on location in the Cayman Islands, sporting her very own Beach Bunny swimsuit bottom!

Beach Bunny, model Selita Ebanks on location in the Cayman Islands

View our Beach Bunny Collection

This time in the island paradise of Haiku, Maui we find Beach Bunny bared on the beautiful body of model Jessica White.

Beach Bunny Swimwear, model Jessica White in Maui

 View our Beach Bunny Collection

Danica Patrick, Indycar Rookie of the Year was also invited this year to model for Sports Illustrated. Take a look Danica on location on Singer Island, Florida in none other than a Beach Bunny bikini…

Beach Bunny Swimwear, Danice Patrick

View our Beach Bunny Collection

And we can’t forget this sporting star and NFL cheerleader Anabel Dela Cerna of the Washington Redskins in her Beach Bunny bikini!

Beach Bunny Swimwear, NFL Cheerleaders

View our Beach Bunny Collection  

Next stop, St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here’s model Melissa Baker in a super sexy one piece by Beach Bunny Swimwear.

Beach Bunny Swimwear, Melissa Baker

View our Beach Bunny Collection

Russian model Anne V. stretches out again in St. Petersburg, Russia this time in a black and white Beach Bunny stunner.

 

Beach Bunny Swimwear, model Anne V

View our Beach Bunny Collection  

And last but not least we have beautiful Bar Rafaeli on location in her home country of Israel. In fact, this image of Bar in Beach Bunny is the second swimsuit featured in the whole magazine… we saved the best for last J

Beach Bunny Swimwear, model Bar Rafaeli on location in Israel

View our Beach Bunny Collection  

Stayed tuned for our next article where we take an in-depth journey into the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. We’ll be traveling the globe as Sports Illustrated hunts down the world’s sexiest locations, the hottest models and the most coveted designer swimwear of the season.

Spotted  

Seriously Sports Illustrated 

Azura sells Sports Illustrated favorites…

   Spellbound, By Beach Bunny    Secret Garden, By Beach Bunny

Lady Lace, By Beach Bunny

 

If you weren’t able to read last week’s post about the release of the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, don’t fear. As I mentioned in that post (which, of course, you wouldn’t know because you didn’t read it and is in fact the whole reason for me saying this again!), this week we’ll be taking an in-depth look and journey through the much coveted 2008 issue, from the models, to the locations and of course, the beautiful swimsuits. Who made it in this year, who didn’t, you’ll find it all out here!

  

Sports Illustrated and Azura Swimwear

While we can’t take credit for the swimsuits themselves, Azura Swimwear is proud to stock many of this year’s selected swimwear designers. In the fiercely competitive and highly talented field of designer swimwear, Azura Swimwear designers Beach Bunny, Red Carter, Sauvage and Birdie Jo all made appearances in the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. It’s a huge achievement and Azura Swimwear would like to congratulate them all. The women’s swimwear lineup in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is the most highly anticipated each year, so again our congratulations to all the swimwear designers featured.

If you haven’t seen a copy yet, make sure to grab one asap – this year’s is hot! You can also visit www.si.com to view all the pictures featured in the issue, plus the many more that couldn’t fit! It’d be a tough (well, some would argue) job selecting the top 100 images out of the many thousands that are taken, and a shame to not share all those beautiful swimsuit shots. Luckily, Sports Illustrated is kind enough to share them with us all, so do take a look if you get a chance. We’ll also be featuring some of our favorite Sports Illustrated swimsuits here at Lifestyle Azura, so stay tuned…

Interested in owning your own?

If you’re interested in purchasing any of the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue bikinis, simply click on the swimsuit names or images below. You can also view the women’s swimwear collections of Red Carter, Sauvage and Birdie Jo by clicking here. Happy shopping!

Azura News

2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

I’ll be covering this in great detail next week, but just wanted to share our excitement with you about the recent release of the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue … This year’s is an absolute knockout – from the sexy swimsuits, bikinis and cover-ups to the idealic backdrops, island destinations and of course, the gorgeous models. Marissa Miller donned the cover this year - you’ll recognize her as one of our Sauvage Swimwear models (check her out in the Cobalt Crystal by Sauvage below) - so we have a bit of a soft spot for her.

To a swimwear designer, having one of your swimsuits featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is somewhat akin to finding the holy grail, so you can only imagine what Angela Chittenden, Beach Bunny Swimwear designer is feeling right now with Beach Bunny Swimwear being featured 9 times! Yes, 9 pages of beautiful Beach Bunny bikinis! Azura swimwear is proud to stock a number of these including Spellbound, Lady Lace and Secret Garden. Make sure to check them out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cobalt Crystal by Sauvage Spellbound by Beach Bunny

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lady Lace by Beach Bunny Secret Garden by Beach Bunny

 

We’ll be taking an in-depth look at the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue soon, so be sure to stop by for more information about your favorite swimwear designers and designer swimsuits.

Until Then !

Team Azura