The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is attempting to promote feminist messages, albeit coupled with racy photos.
ICYMI: The women of #SISwim 2018 "became a canvas...to share their truth." https://t.co/N4LD3BhjUp pic.twitter.com/Sa0KsOLpNh
— SI Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) February 7, 2018
The magazine's In Her Own Words shoot features nude models with words such as "TRUTH" and "FEMINIST" painted on them.
SI Swimsuit models celebrate more than just their bodies in candid, new project. pic.twitter.com/9ciEdRTFsq
— SI Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) February 7, 2018
The photo shoot, as well as the magazine's decision to include plus-size model Ashley Graham, are sparking plenty of social media discussion.
#JLo has been a major figure for the recent push to change our perspective but KK took it to a whole other level.
This has been beneficial to women and men.#AshleyGraham being the first curvy model on the cover of #SISwimsuit issue showed both the gap to bridge and the shift.
— joris (@JizzleCizzle) January 28, 2018
In a feature on the issue, Vanity Fair explored the creative vision of editor MJ Day and her creative team.
"These are sexy photos," Day told the magazine. "At the end of the day, we're always going to be sexy, no matter what is happening. We're Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. The ideal is to create something artful, to create a beautiful image that both the subject and the team is proud of and collaborates on together."