Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Two-Pièce de Résistance: Kate Upton, 2013

I think Antarctica is the best shoot Kate gave us.

Photo: Derek Kettela

The hair, the pose, the gaze, the cushions — this photo is pure, glorious cheesecake.

Against a backdrop of icy blue and white and black, Kate is a splash of warmth, an inviting contrast to the foreboding landscape. She inspires thoughts of intimacy — why are you and Kate on this boat at the bottom of the world?

The wispy fur bikini is a nice touch. It’s a parody of warm clothing. It’s in line with the fun visual irony of pinups, like a girl at a construction site wearing jeans shorts and a bikini top — and a safety helmet. Or a lady in a kitchen wearing nothing but an apron. The “fur” is environment-appropriate, but only a prop that emphasizes how little she’s actually wearing.

For me, Kate’s 2013 appearance earned her a place in the Pantheon of Sports Illustrated swimsuit models.

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