Latest news with #SportsIllustratedSwim
New York Post
27-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
SI Swimsuit model reveals what breast reduction surgery is really like
Gigi Robinson has posed for Sports Illustrated Swim and built a public career around confidence and visibility. So it might surprise some that she recently made a deeply personal and physically transformative decision — to get a breast reduction. And she revealed to The Post that it's had a major impact on her overall health. 6 Gigi Robinson attends a Swimsuit on Location event hosted by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit at Hard Rock Seminole on May 22, 2022 in Hollywood, Florida. Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 'It was never a cosmetic thing for me. My goal was not to get a breast reduction to be smaller or to lose weight,' she told The Post. 'My goal was rooted in my desire to overcome chronic illness.' Robinson — who describes herself as traditionally a size 4 or 6 — had to size up to 10 or 12 just to fit her bras pre-surgery. She estimates she was close to an E-cup on her 5-foot-4-inch frame — and the physical toll was undeniable. 'I could not exercise without a lot of pressure in my neck and my shoulders and my back,' she said. 'And getting imaging and trying things like acupuncture and cupping, cold plunge, sauna — all those things have helped me with my pain and fatigue, but it was so specific to my upper abdominals and upper body.' The decision came after years of dealing with debilitating chronic pain. 6 Sports Illustrated model Gigi Robinson at Grand Banks on the Hudson River. Tamara Beckwith 'I was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome at around 10 or 11 and that was really challenging,' she said. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders marked by unusually flexible joints, stretchy skin and a tendency to bruise easily or suffer from frequent joint dislocations and chronic pain. 'The only regret I have — like many other women — is I wish I did this sooner.' Gigi Robinson 'I grew up with chronic migraines, chronic fatigue, pain, brain fog — a lot of different symptoms — and by the time I got to college, I really realized how much of an impact living with a chronic illness had on me,' she said. Even after getting surgery in 2022 and switching to an organic diet, she was still experiencing severe neck and shoulder pain. 6 'My goal was rooted in my desire to overcome chronic illness,' she said. Tamara Beckwith 'That's when I really made the decision to go forward and consider a breast reduction,' she said. 'I had three or four different consults and all the doctors said, 'We think you could benefit from this.' 'And I think the only regret I have — like many other women — is I wish I did this sooner.' Contrary to what some people might think, Robinson was told a doctor couldn't really guarantee how many cup sizes she would go down after the surgery. 'They have a certain amount of tissue that they have to keep alive and keep in order to make your body still function the right way,' she explained. But what she can confirm is that 'things fit way different than they used to — in a good way.' 6 'Things fit way different than they used to — in a good way,' she said. Tamara Beckwith/ While Robinson was not met with any negativity about her breast reduction, she's aware that it is considered a hot topic, which is odd because — even if someone did get a breast reduction for aesthetic reasons — she believes 'it's the same argument that people make to get breast implants — it's just the reverse.' And she has a message for anyone who thinks someone who wants to get a breast reduction should 'just' lose weight. 'My doctor said, 'It's like we're doing origami, but with your boobs.'' Gigi Robinson 'You have to think about the limitations that people living with a larger chest and/or a chronic illness may be suffering,' she said. 'Losing weight is not necessarily a great option. It also perpetuates the idea that you're getting a breast reduction because you wanna be smaller.' Another breast reduction myth she wants to debunk is the idea that it involves a long, intensive surgery — it's actually a two-to-four-hour outpatient surgery. 6 'You have to think about the limitations that people living with a larger chest and/or a chronic illness may be suffering,' she said. Courtesy Gigi Robinson 'The doctor comes in marks you up with a sharpie and shows you kind of where he's going to cut — my doctor said, 'It's like we're doing origami, but with your boobs' — and then you go into the room, and then you wake up in the outpatient room and obviously you are coming out of anesthesia so you're a little loopy.' She noted that the only painful part were the drains — small tubes placed near the incision site to prevent fluid from building up — which she had to wear for about a week and keep dry the whole time. How did she shower? 'Well, you get creative,' she said with a laugh. They were also uncomfortable, as it felt like 'applying pressure on a wound' whenever her arms were down. While she admitted that 'the first week was hard' because she was a little sore and needed help going to the bathroom, she felt fine after the first five days. The only complication she really experienced was slow wound healing, which is a symptom of EDS. These days, she's doing great. 'I'm so happy,' she said. 'I've been doing almost daily workouts at the gym again. I'm feeling really good.' She's not slowing down either — her children's book, 'A Kids Book About Chronic Illness,' has recently hit shelves, and she's currently working on a nonfiction book for adults, among other big projects. And she has a message to share with other people who might be grappling with the decision to get breast reduction surgery or living with a chronic pain condition: 'If you advocate for yourself and if you educate yourself, a whole new world can unlock.' 6 These days, Gigi Robinson is doing great. Courtesy Gigi Robinson
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Melissa Odabash Celebrates 25 Years at Miami Swim Week
Melissa Odabash Melissa Odabash will celebrate 25 years of her swimwear and resort wear brand with a private showcase presented by Miami Swim Week – The Shows on Friday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m. at The Bass Museum of Art. The anniversary collection will feature her signature swimsuits, bikinis and stylish resort wear that she is known for, while paying tribute to the glamor of 1970s swimwear. 'The anniversary collection is really a celebration of the journey; where we started and how far we've come,' said Odabash. 'I drew inspiration from the early days of the brand, revisiting key silhouettes and prints that defined our identity, but reimagining them with a modern, elevated touch.' Odabash started out as a swimwear model, garnering experience in Paris modeling for major brands before returning to the US to start her own fashion brand in 2000. When she started out, it was a completely different game. 'Honestly, the swimwear and resortwear industry barely existed 25 years ago,' she said. 'It was extremely seasonal; swimwear was something people only thought about in the summer, and very few brands produced it during the winter months.' A model walks the runway at the Melissa Odabash show during the Gran Canaria Swim Week by Moda Calida at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on October 20, 2022 in Las Palmas, Spain. (Photo by Estrop/Gettyimages) Over time, the industry began to evolve. 'More designers started creating collections year-round, and swimwear transitioned from a seasonal product to a lifestyle category,' said Odabash. 'It became about more than just going to the beach; it came to represent an entire way of living. I'm proud to say I was one of the first to truly pioneer that shift and build a brand around it.' In the early 2000s, she had a breakthrough when supermodel Tyra Banks wore one of her swimsuits on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swim. Since then, Heidi Klum, Kendall Jenner, Karen Mulder, Steffi Graf and Rihanna have all worn Odabash's swimwear. When she started out, it was a completely different game. 'Honestly, the swimwear and resortwear industry barely existed 25 years ago,' she said. 'It was extremely seasonal; swimwear was something people only thought about in the summer, and very few brands produced it during the winter months.' Over time, the industry began to evolve. 'More designers started creating collections year-round, and swimwear transitioned from a seasonal product to a lifestyle category,' said Odabash. 'It became about more than just going to the beach; it came to represent an entire way of living. I'm proud to say I was one of the first to truly pioneer that shift and build a brand around it.' LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 5: A model walks the runway at the Melissa Odabash fashion show during Gran Canaria Swim Weeek on October 5, 2024 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo) Despite her celebrity credibility, running a fashion brand is no easy feat. 'I can't believe I'm celebrating 25 years, because there were so many times I wanted to give up,' said Odabash. 'Retail is incredibly tough, and resort wear is one of the hardest segments in the industry. When I started, I was up against about ten major players, huge names like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren. Now, there are thousands of new swimwear brands launching every year, and the market is incredibly saturated.' Staying in the fashion business requires resilience. 'I've been fortunate to consistently rank among the top resort wear brands in major department stores, which is something I'm really proud of,' said Odabash, who sells at Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman and more. 'But it's taken relentless hard work. We've had to navigate massive challenges—from COVID, to Brexit, to adapting to new international regulations and logistics while running a global company from London. Growing is one thing, but staying at the top is an entirely different challenge.' Designing for various body shapes and sizes, Odabash's 25-year anniversary collection will include one-piece swimsuits, bikinis, accessories, beach dresses, resort wear and her signature Après-Plage (meaning 'after the beach' in French) collection, which is a line of upscale dresses, meant to whisk one off for dinner after a day at the beach. It's inspired by the casual glamor of Marrakech, Morocco. GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 6: A model walks the runway during the Melissa Odabash Fashion show during the Gran Canaria Moda Calida Swimwear on October 6, 2023 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo) 'In Europe, people often wear long kaftans on boats or to dinner, it's about creating pieces that seamlessly transition from day to night,' said Odabash. 'I've also brought back a few favorites from the archive, including some beaded pieces, just to have fun and highlight the creative possibilities of swimwear. It's about blending functionality, fashion, and a touch of nostalgia.' Odabash's latest cruise collection pays tribute to her mother, who first introduced her to bikinis in St. Martin. Inspired by the colors, styles and spirit of the Caribbean, the collection is a homage to the golden age of glamorous resort wear in the 1970s. It includes maxi dresses, airy caftans, and detailed, woven cover-ups. 'As a child, I remember my mother coming back from her trips to St. Martin with these beautiful, handcrafted bikinis, nothing like what you could find in the States at the time,' she said. 'Those pieces really shaped my love for sophisticated, uncomplicated beachwear. It's a sense of style that still inspires my designs today.' GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 22: A model walks the runway during the Melissa Odabash Fashion show during the Gran Canaria Moda Calida Swimwear on October 22, 2021 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo) The 1970s were truly an era of glamorous swimwear and resort wear, from gold detailing to bold colors. 'This collection is my tribute to that feeling—the laid-back glamour of the 1970s, when beach fashion was all about understated luxury and confidence,' said Odabash. 'It's inspired by a time when women effortlessly exuded grace, whether they were soaking up the sun by the sea or heading to a seaside lunch.' Travel is a key influence in Odabash's collections—but her greatest sources of inspiration are two places in particular: Florida and Capri. MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 08: Kelly Bensimon is seen wearing Melissa Odabash on December 8, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by) 'Florida holds a special place in my heart because I have a home there—it's where I go to recharge, be close to the ocean, and feel grounded,' said Odabash. 'The light, the colors, and the relaxed vibe all feed into the resort lifestyle my brand is built around.' Capri, an Italian island on the south side of the Gulf of Naples, was a go-to for Odabash when she lived in Rome. 'There's such timeless elegance in its atmosphere, the way people dress, and the attention to detail,' she said. 'It's chic without ever trying too hard. I also deeply admire the quality of Italian craftsmanship, especially their fabrics, which have always influenced my collections.' GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 22: A model walks the runway during the Melissa Odabash Fashion show during the Gran Canaria Moda Calida Swimwear on October 22, 2021 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo) Next up, the brand will open two new stores in Dubai. 'The region has such a strong appreciation for luxury, elegance, and the resort lifestyle, so it feels like the perfect fit for the brand,' she said. Odabash will also continue to grow beyond swim and resort wear, adding more lifestyle pieces that women can wear year-round, which is an expansion of her lounge collection. 'As always, we're committed to sustainability—not just in how we source and produce, but in designing timeless pieces that last, rather than following fleeting trends,' she said. 'It's about growing the brand in a meaningful way, staying connected to our roots while embracing new opportunities around the world.' Follow @melissaodabash on Instagram.
Fox News
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Christie Brinkley, 71, channels former Sports Illustrated Swim persona in red bikini
Christie Brinkley's still got it. The 71-year-old model channeled her inner Sports Illustrated Swim energy as she modeled a red bikini during a boat day over the weekend. "Feeling Optimistic and Hope your [sic] are too!" Brinkley, whose memoir will be released April 29, captioned the post. "Wishing everyone bright sun shiny days ahead!" Brinkley rose to prominence as a model in the 1970s. She posed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and landed three consecutive cover shoots in 1979, 1980 and 1981. The model landed over 500 magazine covers worldwide throughout her career and was photographed in more than 30 countries. Brinkley was first discovered at the age of 20 outside a phone booth in Paris. The model's most iconic photos were taken for Sports Illustrated. In 2017, Brinkley returned to the cover of Sports Illustrated — this time with her two daughters, Sailor and Alexa. Sailor also chose to follow in her supermodel mother's footsteps. Sailor, who began modeling as a teenager, often accompanied her mother to shoots and was featured in Teen Vogue. The former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant previously told Fox News Digital what advice her model mom gave her as she followed in her footsteps. "I think the biggest piece of advice that she gave me is to, first of all, be as kind as humanly possible to everyone around me that I'm working with," Sailor said. "And that's something I really try and stay strong on, even if I'm in a bad mood or anything like that." "That's sort of the biggest piece of advice that I think makes the best mark on anything that I'm doing and on the world that I live in and on the career that I have, [it] is just being sure that I maintain a reputation where people feel safe and comfortable and loved and happy around me and appreciated."
