Sports Illustrated has picked Houston to celebrate the launch of its 2017 Swimsuit issue with a music, food and culture festival next month.
Labeled “VIBES” by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, the first-of its-kind event will take place at Post HTX, which was the site for last month's Day for Night Festival. The SI festival will feature live performances by Diplo and Miguel, a food festival curated by James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd and special appearances by Sports Illustrated swimsuit models.
Among models in the new issue: Olympic Gold medalists Simone Biles and Aly Raisman. The two gymnasts were photographed for the magazine by James Macari in various Houston locations, including the North Houston Skate Park and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden.
"Aly and Simone represent all that is beautiful and strong and inspiring in women today," said SI Swimsuit editor MJ Day. " I love seeing them shine in an entirely different way in the Swimsuit issue and being able to share these gorgeous and powerful images with the world. These women, their beauty, and what they can achieve know no limits."
“VIBES” will kick off February 17 with a meet-and-greet with the models, a nighttime food festival featuring Underbelly's Shepherd, Terrence Gallivan and Seth Siegel Gardner of The Pass & Provisions, Uchi chef Tyson Cole, Georgia chef Hugh Acheson, and Chicago chef Graham Elliot. A VIP performance by Miguel will conclude the evening's festivities.
The festival lineup continues February 18 with a concert featuring Houston musicians, followed by headliner Diplo.
Tickets are available at SI.com/SwimsuitVibes. VIP All Access admission for both days is $250, VIP for one day is $150; general admission on February 18 is $35.
The Houston event caps off the launch week of the 2017 Swimsuit edition. It will be revealed earlier in the week at live-streamed red-carpet launch party in New York.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue 2015.
Attendees can test out new products and mingle with beauty insiders during The Makeup Show’s exciting return to Houston September 20-21.Photo courtesy of The Makeup Show