Camille Kostek attended the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2026 celebration on Thursday, at the Hard Rock Hotel New York, joining fellow models and cover stars for the launch of this year’s issue. Before the party, she talked to WWD about the latest SI issue.
For her latest appearance in the magazine, Kostek traveled to Botswana. “I have shot on beaches around the world…but this is the first time I have ever shot in the middle of the wild on the other side of the world among the animals in Botswana,” she said.
Related Articles
The setting also influenced the styling, which introduced a different visual approach. “From safari jackets and hats to tall lace-up green boots and animal print accents,” she noted that the wardrobe added “a new element” to the shoot.
You May Also Like
Kostek described the experience as one of the most memorable of her career, with production spanning the entire day. “We shot from sunrise to sunset and saw animals all along the way,” she said. “It was one of the most memorable and magical experiences of my life.”
Having worked with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit for nearly a decade, Kostek also reflected on her long-standing relationship with the brand. “I remember sitting in the waiting room…nine years ago so eager and nervous,” she said. “The panel of women I sat in front of later turned into what I call my swimsuit family.”
Over time, that connection has extended beyond the shoots themselves. “The women in the magazine turn into a sisterhood,” she said. “I’ve grown up in this magazine and have traveled around the world and back together, making everlasting memories.”
“Lately I have learned my confidence comes from my mindset,” she said. “Choose yourself…comparison is the thief of joy.”
The SI Swimsuit 2026 celebration brought together a wide range of talent featured in the issue, including Nicole Williams English, Brooks Nader, Jasmine Sanders and Olivia Dunne. The evening also featured a surprise performance by Fetty Wap.