People can dream about it, or say “what the heck” and get on a plane and head to the handful of low density and social distancing-friendly resorts and hotels that have re-opened in the Dominican Republic.
The 2020 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition that hit the stands on 21 July, shows off the models in Samaná beach land. In January 2020, the models toured the province participating in a nine-day photo and video shoot.
The models this year were:
Kelsey Merritt, Anna De Paula, Halima Aden, Josephine Skriver, Camille Kostek, and Anita Marshall. They took excursions that included learning to cook traditional Dominican cuisine with Halima, whale watching in Samaná Bay with Josephine, zip-lining through the Samaná jungle with Camille, and surf lessons along the shores of Playa Bonita with Kelsey.
“Consumers are aware that only the finest destinations are chosen to host the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, and we are honored to have the opportunity to use this platform as a way to further showcase Dominican Republic as the ideal vacation destination to the millions of Sports Illustrated readers,” explains Magaly Toribio, Marketing Advisor for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism.
In 2016, Dominican Republic first welcomed Sports Illustrated Swimsuit to shoot an innovative virtual reality shoot in La Romana. The models stayed at the famous Casa de Campo Resort and Villas and explored the nearby Altos de Chavón. Participants hopped on polo ponies, sauntered through Catalina Island, and enjoyed fresh sushi at Casa de Campo’s Beach Club.
This time around, the SI producers, crew, and talent stayed in Las Terrenas at the luxury resort Sublime Samaná, which overlooks the crystal waters of Playa Cosón.
On the final day, photographer Kate Powers, who led her first-ever SI Swimsuit shoot, and first-time model Anita Marshall, held an empowerment and photography workshop with the girls of the Politécnico Santo Esteban Rivera public school. The sessions explored how to empower women through photography and use media to elevate female voices and perspectives. SI challenged more than 20 high school-aged girls to find beauty in themselves, each other and the world around them.
“We sought to inspire and engage this incredible group of girls around the power of imagery, identity and photography,” says Powers. “By the end of the day, there were tears, hugs and long goodbyes — nobody wanted it to end. We were so inspired by these girls, their confidence, their vulnerability, and their willingness to trust us. Honestly, it was a day I will never forget and a platform that I hope to continue.”
Check out where the photoshoot took place:
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Sports Illustrated
Daily Mail UK
22 July 2020