Last night, Heidi Klum hosted NBC’s and Time’s 50th anniversary party for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and clearly the carrier pigeon delivering my invitation died en route. That’s the only explanation I can think of for me not being invited to an event that celebrates one of the most important influences of my teen years. Hell, I still remember the issue that changed my life. My friend snagged his dad’s copy of the 1988 “Thailand Fling” issue that featured Elle Macpherson on the cover. To this day, when I see Macpherson, I think of that issue that got my friend grounded for two weeks and made me think, “Hey, one of these girls at my school might grow up to look like this.”
The following year, Sports Illustrated would introduce me to Kathy Ireland and in 1994, well, my first subscription was ordered after I locked eyes on the Dream Team cover. So imagine my delight when I saw that not only did SI have this party last night, but Ireland, Macpherson and Rachel Hunter were all there to celebrate, along with some other old favorites (Christie Brinkley, HOLY GOD) and the new breed (Kate Upton, Chrissy Teigen and Genevieve Morton, OH MY). Granted, I would’ve been happier to be there in person, even if they locked me in a cage and threw acid on me if I tried to leave, but I’m happy to honor the SI Swimsuit Issue from afar.
(Images via Getty/WireImage)
