It was drizzling outdoors, however beneath the awning that lined the 10-foot-long crimson carpet in entrance of the Laborious Rock Resort, it was sizzling. Supermodels of each period stayed dry and movie excellent as they arrived in Midtown for a celebration of the Sports activities Illustrated swimsuit problem’s sixtieth anniversary.
The difficulty has 4 cowl stars: Gayle King, Chrissy Teigen, Kate Upton and Hunter McGrady. Ms. King’s cowl has been extensively celebrated, primarily for persevering with the journal’s progress in shifting away from what had lengthy been its trademark: younger, perky cowl fashions.
As Ms. King made her approach over the crimson carpet, she skipped previous the doorway to the Venue on Music Row, the place the get together had began. She was in a rush and needed to run as much as Rockefeller Heart for a taping of “The Tonight Present” with Jimmy Fallon.
“I used to be very flattered and really honored that they made that selection,” Ms. King mentioned of being chosen for the duvet. “I used to be all the time advised that I used to be an insider, and I used to be excited simply to do this. So, when the duvet got here out and I used to be there, it exhibits you something is feasible.”
The swimsuit problem comes after a number of months of tumult on the journal. Enviornment Group, the digital-media firm that had run the journal since 2019, had threatened to finish its print version. In March, a brand new purchaser arose. Minute Media, a digital-media firm targeted on sports activities, stepped in and introduced its intention to maintain the print version going.
However the means to alter, whether or not it’s the proprietor of the publication or the duvet star, is within the journal’s DNA, in keeping with MJ Day, the swimsuit problem’s editor in chief.
“Traditionally, this model has all the time been one step forward,” Ms. Day mentioned on the high of the crimson carpet, after greeting Tyra Banks. “Whether or not it’s placing a mannequin’s title subsequent to them on the duvet and assigning them that branding risk, to placing Tyra Banks on the duvet as the primary Black girl to be on a single problem journal cowl.”
Amongst these there to rejoice was Maye Musk, who walked the crimson carpet sporting a cardinal-red sequined caftan. Ms. Musk, who on the age of 74 appeared on the duvet of the swimsuit problem in August 2022, has been a mannequin for 50 years and lives a full life, she mentioned.
“That’s what makes it so essential, as a result of it offers ladies plenty of hope,” Ms. Musk mentioned over the sound of passing police sirens, which she known as “New York music.”
“Even if you happen to’re 19 and also you see a 76-year-old mannequin wanting fabulous on the duvet of Sports activities Illustrated, it’s going to offer you hope.”
Martha Stewart, the oldest cowl mannequin within the problem’s historical past, was additionally on the crimson carpet, sporting “Brunello Cuccinelli head to toe,” she mentioned. Ms. Stewart posed for the duvet final 12 months, at 81, and whereas she doesn’t wish to be known as a legend — “legends are lifeless,” she mentioned — she’s having enjoyable.
“I believe it has helped different ladies suppose, ‘Gosh, she appears to be like good, perhaps I might look good,” Ms. Stewart mentioned. “And that’s crucial to me. Being an instance is nice.”
Ms. Upton, who appeared in her first swimsuit problem in 2011, when she was 19, has watched the swimsuit problem evolve first hand.
“It feels actually surreal,” mentioned Ms. Upton, 31, who was sporting a lacy black Dolce & Gabbana costume. “You by no means know once you’re first beginning out modeling that you just’re going to be on this place. It surpasses what you suppose that the height is of your modeling profession. It truly is simply such an honor.”
Inside, reproductions of previous Sports activities Illustrated swimsuit problem covers, relationship again to the primary, from 1964, graced the partitions. The D.J. offered a soundtrack that wandered from Miley Cyrus to Ice Spice, whereas an enormous display screen confirmed video footage of the second fashions realized they’d been chosen for the anniversary problem.
At round 8 p.m. the dance flooring was nonetheless sparse, whereas the bar was crowded. Slowly the tide started to show, with Chanel Iman bopping to the music in a bejeweled Bronx and Banco mini costume alongside her husband, Davon Godchaux, a defensive deal with for the New England Patriots. Molly Sims took selfies and the mannequin Jasmine Sanders danced.
The eye of the ocean of athletes, supermodels and influencers rapidly parted in two instructions.
On the left, there was the N.F.L. celebrity Patrick Mahomes and his spouse, Brittany, flanked by safety, a gaggle of mates and Ms. King, who had magically reappeared. On the suitable aspect of the dance flooring, the gravitational pull was towards Chrissy Teigen and her husband, the musician John Legend.
The parted sea of revelers got here collectively when Ja Rule appeared onstage. After the rapper ran by his handful of early 2000s hits, his good friend and frequent collaborator, Fats Joe, joined him.
Rob Gronkowski, the retired N.F.L. star, towered over nearly everybody. As he danced alongside to “Lean Again,” he waved at Mr. Mahomes, mouthing “Hello” along with his signature goofy grin. Mr. Mahomes waved again, took a swig of his beer and danced along with his spouse.
Quickly, the Mahomes scuttled out of the venue. Catching the cue, Fats Joe ended his set after a full of life rendition of DJ Khaled’s “All I Do is Win.” Minutes later, Mr. Legend and Ms. Teigen snaked their approach out as nicely, however not earlier than a fast hug with Ms. Day.
By then, Ms. King was lengthy gone, once more.
