IMG models takeover: SI swimsuit issue

I got a text at 2 AM this morning from Bennie: Just landed! Photo opp at 12 noon tomorrow. Bryant Park. SI swimsuit models!! So when I made my way to the tents (I was late, and missed the photo opp) with Boyfriend in tow (as if I had to drag him along) I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Possible questions raced through my head: what could I possibly find to talk about with these women? The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models are notorious in the business. Like a certain group of Angels, being picked to model in the issue is not just a mark of supermodel success; it’s the gateway to endorsements, campaigns, spokesmodel opportunities, even movies and TV shows. Yet as I was to find out later, the IMG models who dominated the issue (seven out of twenty models came from the agency) are not just a bunch of pretty faces; they already have major industry successes under their belts and blew me away with their professionalism, ambition, and sense of humor.

First on the couch was Hilary Rhoda. I have to admit I was totally starstruck at this point and could only muster one lame question. What does the Estée Lauder spokesmodel never leave home without? She gamely opened her purse to show me: her TurboLash mascara, Louis Vuitton planner (which she uses in addition to her BlackBerry), and hand sanitizer. This is a woman after my own heart — glam, organized, and sensible. Refreshed and animated despite her claims of breathing nothing but “plane and casino air” for the last weeks, Hilary is forgoing fashion week in favor of a vacation in Jamaica.

Despite her Russian heritage, Irina Shayk looks like she should be a permanent fixture at Posto 10 in Ipanema — which is a good thing considering she has paired up with Beach Bunny Swimwear to guest design a sexy bikini. Ever the savvy businesswoman, Irina got the line some press in the issue by sporting the Irina Bikini, (which is actually really awesome, I would totally wear). Suede boots were huge backstage (all agents and models with one exception were wearing some iteration of suede boots) and Irina’s Louboutin’s were especially killer.

Where do I even start with Dominique Piek? The native South African hammed it up for the BF with her tiny Chanel that contained all the essentials of life: Rosebud balm and two BlackBerrys – domestic and international, of course. The SI Swimsuit Issue Rookie took the Maldives shoot and Vegas promotional tour in stride and impressed me with a cool sophistication beyond her years. There must be something about growing up outside the US that makes it possible for young adults to have a lexicon completely devoid of shut up! like, omg, like, wtf? totally. Which brings me to…

Genevieve Morton. What a doll! I cannot say enough amazing things about Genevieve, who is the epitome of the next generation of models: smart and determined with a great work ethic and attitude. She enthusiastically described her Palm Springs WWII-themed shoot to me and mentioned her favorite swimsuit was this Mara Hoffman high-waisted two-piece. The Rookie, who also hails from South Africa, totally charmed me by describing how all the agents took her to Madewell and Topshop to go shopping since she was completely unprepared for the cold weather. A devotee of the 8-hour Cream, Genevieve also never leaves home without the video camera her boyfriend gave her (aww). Definitely one to watch!

It has been a while (try 4 years) since I lunched with Australian model Jessica Gomes at Ruby’s on Mulberry — since then she has blown up with editorials from Vogue to Glamour, runway shows, campaigns for Bloomingdale’s, GAP, and Victoria’s Secret, not to mention the last three years on the pages of SI. Yet I am pleased to report she is still as down-to-earth and hard-working as I remembered. I was amazed to learn that her first appearance in the magazine led to a commercial for LG in Korea for a product called (wait for it) the Bikini Phone. Although Jessica is not Korean (her mother is Chinese and her father is Portuguese), her striking features made her a smashing success in Korea, where she has her own adventures-in-fashion TV show – I Am Jessica Gomes. (Note to self: check out VOV, Voice of Voices, her favorite Korean line.) I was similarly amazed by her hair, by Sabrina Rowe, which looked ridiculously good, and which I am going to dedicate an entire post to. Stay tuned.

In all, a first-day I can only hope to top later this week! Check out all the Sports Illustrated shoots here. My blogging partner-in-crime the High-Rise Hostess interviewed the girls about their entertaining repertoires! Special thanks to Bennie for hooking it up and photographer Tiphaine Pleot.