At the Hard Rock Hotel in New York, Camille Kostek celebrated her ninth appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue—a milestone that, for the Lingerie Museum, invites a closer look at how the boundaries of intimate apparel are being redrawn. Kostek’s latest shoot, set in the wilds of Botswana, marks a departure from the magazine’s sun-drenched beaches. “I have shot on beaches around the world,” she told WWD, “but this is the first time I have ever shot in the middle of the wild… among the animals.”
The styling, too, evolved with the terrain. Safari jackets, tall lace-up green boots, and animal-print accents replaced the usual swimwear silhouettes, nodding to a lineage of adventurous dressing that traces back to the 1920s, when explorers like Paul Poiret introduced exotic, body-conscious travel wear. This sartorial shift reflects a broader trend in lingerie: the rise of “adventure-ready” pieces that blend structure with sensuality, echoing the functional corsetry of the 19th century but reimagined for the modern woman.
Kostek’s journey from nervous newcomer to seasoned cover model mirrors the evolution of the lingerie industry itself—from rigid, hidden foundations to expressive, empowering garments. “The women in the magazine turn into a sisterhood,” she said, a sentiment that resonates with the collaborative spirit of early 20th-century corsetières who revolutionized fit through shared expertise.
For the launch party, Kostek chose a Maticevski dress, Gia Borghini heels, and a B-Low The Belt bag—each a contemporary echo of the craftsmanship that defined lingerie’s golden age. As the industry continues to embrace narrative-driven imagery, Kostek’s Botswana shoot reminds us that the most compelling lingerie stories are those that dare to leave the beach behind.
Originally reported by WWD