Fly Chicks

Apparently, January 5 is National Bird Day.

So here’s a Robin, a Robyn, a Ren, a Renn, and a Raven.

See? There's more to this blog than just boobies.

A Real Plus

One trend you may have noticed during the rookie casting calls: plus-size models.

There were a few of them. Here we have Ashley Graham, Julie Henderson (the other one), and Marquita Pring.

You may recall that, halfway through 2014, a trio of plus-size models recreated the swimsuit issue cover for a company called “Swimsuits for All.”

The model in the middle? Her name is Robyn Lawley, who had a casting call back in May. The scuttlebutt at Bellazon is that Robyn is one of the 2015 rookies.

I think it’s great. I don’t think SI necessarily has a responsibility to change standards of beauty (they’re more in the business of harnessing those standards for profit), but Robyn would be a standout from what you’re used to seeing.

I hope she doesn’t get a lot of abuse for it.

It’s not really my place to be concerned for her, I guess. I imagine it takes buckets of self-confidence to be a plus-size model, and she must be stocked with a whole armory of “go fuck yourselves” to use as needed. But still, the reaction to Ashley Smith’s teeth the other day makes me pessimistic about the response Robyn is going to get.

On the other hand, she doesn’t look all that plus-size in the (fully clothed) photos that accompanied her casting call

As noted before, Crystal Renn was a plus-size model, but by the time she got to SI that didn’t seem to be the case.

I don’t know if Lauren Mellor was ever considered plus-size, but there are some older photos where she’s notably curvier than she was in the 2014 swimsuit issue.

Personally, I’m all for making all women feel sexy as they want to feel. When that happens, we all win. I’m looking forward to Robyn’s photos.

Random New Year's Eve Notes

A few tidbits from Swim Daily. Beach Bunny swimwear has been kind to us at the close of 2013, giving us a severe-looking Nina Agdal:

...and then a gorgeous Irina Shayk:

And Crystal Renn appears in a German Magazine called Tush, dressed up like a 60s glamorpuss:

Happy New Year, see you in 2014.

The Stories I Missed

I got caught up in ranking the top 50 swimsuit models, then I neglected to revisit some of these tidbits about our girls. Here are some non-SI appearances I missed.

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Crystal Renn did some truly beautiful photos for Harper’s Bazaar España:

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Kate Upton continued her high fashion quest with a shoot for Vogue Brasil:

…as well as a David Yurman campaign.

With all the boob emphasis, you mustn’t forget how gorgeous her face is.

But she stayed true to her swimsuit roots by modeling a Chrissy Teigen line of bridal bikinis, which are apparently a thing.

This article brings up a pretty funny point… “Don’t ‘bridal bikinis’ sound like something she would totally go on a tirade about on Twitter?”

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Irina Shayk did a severely badass photoshoot for GQ Russia:

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Izabel Goulart kicked equal amounts of ass for GQ Brasil:

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And Hannah Davis looked real cute in Ocean Drive.

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Meanwhile, Bar Refaeli, Natasha Barnard, and (welcome back!) Petra Nemcova have fulfilled their ends of the bargain and come out with new lingerie shoots, for Passionata, Leonisa, and Wild Orchid respectively:

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Finally, Alyssa Miller showed off her bikini talents in a glammed-up campaign for Manor swimwear.

And now you are more or less caught up!

That's the Way the Rookie Crumbles 2013

It’s high time for the annual retrospective on rookie survival.

2012 brought us six new girls, only three of whom reappeared in 2013. We were treated to more Adaora, Jessica Perez, and Nina Agdal. But sadly, we lost Crystal Renn, Kirby Griffin, and Michelle Vawer.

This means, of course, that by winning a model search contest, and then not subsequently remaining a one-hit wonder, Jessica has broken the Swimsuit Contest Curse.

My biggest disappointment is losing Michelle Vawer. I thought she was pretty stunning.

Meanwhile, of the three rookies who survived from 2011 to 2012, we still have two. Kate Upton (of course):

…and Alyssa Miller.

This picture destroys me.

Meaning that after two issues, we say goodbye to Izabel Goulart.

Happy trails, Izabel!