At the Hard Rock Hotel New York, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2026 launch party was a study in contrasts: the raw energy of Fetty Wap’s set against the quiet sophistication of a 2003 Roberto Cavalli dress. Nicole Williams English, styled by Margot Zamet, chose that vintage piece—a nod to the designer whose animal prints and jersey draping defined the early aughts’ sensual glamour, a far cry from the structured corsetry of lingerie’s own Victorian foundations. For English, the evening was less about the dress and more about the bond. She described the franchise as “a sisterhood,” a term that resonates deeply with lingerie history, where the corset once symbolized constraint, yet today’s intimates celebrate liberation and support. Her shoot, photographed in Montauk rather than a tropical paradise, embraced a coastal authenticity—a shift from the fantasy of past issues to the realness of a beach at sunset, where her cover shot was captured. The event gathered cover stars Camille Kostek, Hunter McGrady, and others, underscoring a collective that mirrors the evolution of lingerie from private foundation to public statement of confidence. As English noted, this milestone began when she was pregnant with her daughter—a transformative time that echoes the adaptability of the modern bra, designed to cradle change.
Originally reported by WWD