<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Throughout the years, these legendary models have made their mark on the fashion industry with some of the swim world's most iconic campaigns and runway moments.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Style isn&rsquo;t limited to the runway&mdash;truly iconic models can bring the heat anywhere. And in Miami, especially during Fashion Week, barely-there bikinis and the supermodels who wear them always capture the gaze of the fashion world with their effortless grace and poise. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In celebration of Miami Fashion Week&mdash;which began back in 1998 after branching out from swimwear to ready-to-wear styles&mdash;we're looking back on all the legendary models who have made their mark in the world of warm-weather wear.&nbsp;</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;">The Most Iconic Swimsuit Models in Fashion History: Kate Upton</h2>

Kate Upton poses backstage at the Beach Bunny Swimwear show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 Miami Beach, Florida. Getty.

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bikini model Kate Upton made major waves in the fashion industry at the beginning of her career. Originally scouted for her looks in Miami, Upton worked on several high-profile fashion campaigns in the early 2010s. Upton also began her tenure with <em>Sports Illustrated Swimsuit</em> in 2011 as Rookie of the Year, and has since been on the cover of the publication four times. When it comes to cover shoots and campaigns, Upton has gone down in history for looks ranging from icy white string bikinis, classic red one-pieces, and even a snowy, fur-lined puffer jacket.&nbsp;</span></p>

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<h2 class="PZPZlf ssJ7i B5dxMb" aria-level="2" data-attrid="title" role="heading" style="text-align: center;">The Most Iconic Swimsuit Models in Fashion History: Gisele B&uuml;ndchen</h2>
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Gisele Bündchen on the runway for Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2000. Getty.

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Supermodel <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/gisele-bundchen-birthday-iconic-runway-model-moments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gisele B&uuml;ndchen</a> truly needs no introduction. These days, B&uuml;ndchen is photographed by paparazzi on her own turf near the ocean: sporting classic, neutral string bikinis and aviators on the black sand beaches of Costa Rica or alabaster shores of Miami with her children and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/gisele-bundchen-boyfriend-dating-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boyfriend Joaquim Valente. </a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">B&uuml;ndchen remains among fashion&rsquo;s favorite swimwear models, and in years past, whether she&rsquo;s in Victoria's Secret swim campaigns, sporting animal print halter-neck mini-bikinis, or donning neutral, sleek one-piece suits for cover shoots, she stuns, bringing confidence, power, and her signature magnetic allure to any look she wears.&nbsp;</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;">The Most Iconic Swimsuit Models in Fashion History: Elle Macpherson</h2>

Elle Macpherson at the beach in Los Angeles in 1990. Getty Images.

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Australian superstar <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/elle-macpherson-young-photos-90s-model" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elle Macpherson</a> is among the most prolific swim models, to be sure, boasting countless swim campaigns and cover appearances. Back in the '80s, Macpherson was dubbed &ldquo;The Body," cementing her as <em>the</em> swimsuit model in contemporary fashion history. Among Macpherson&rsquo;s most iconic fashion moments was a look that saw her in an indigo metallic one-piece, sporting water-slicked hair, and her magnetic smile.&nbsp;</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;">The Iconic Swimsuit Models in Fashion History: <span>Emily Ratajkowski</span></h2>

Emily Ratajkowski during filming in May 2025. Getty Images.

<p>Model, activist, and mother, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/emily-ratajkowski-nude-instagram-post" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emily Ratajkowski</a> wears many hats. Though the model stuns on every runway she steps onto, she has no doubt gone down in fashion history as one of the most memorable swimwear models in contemporary pop culture. Between razor-thin string <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/celebs-over-40-bikinis-kim-kourtney-kardashian-jennifer-lopez" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bikinis</a> and classically chic one-piece looks, Ratajkowski delivers sultry style each and every time she dons swimwear.</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;">The Most Iconic Swimsuit Models in Fashion History: Heidi Klum</h2>

Heidi Klum with her SI Swim magazine cover in 1998. Getty.

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just like Kate Upton, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/every-heidi-klum-halloween-costume" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heidi Klum</a>&rsquo;s career took off in Miami. Although today she&rsquo;s deeply embedded in the fashion world as a model, TV personality, and pop culture icon, much of her early fashion career took place shooting swimwear that would go on to make her one of the most iconic bikini models in the world. Klum is a deeply versatile model, adept at going from the runway to campaign shoots in</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> hot locations like French Polynesia.&nbsp;</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;">The Most Iconic Swimsuit Models in Fashion History: <span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tyra Banks</span></span></h2>

Tyra Banks on the runway during the Dior Spring/Summer 1994 show. Getty Images.

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/tyra-banks-best-runway-moments-young-model" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyra Banks</a> remains a go-to for the luxury fashion world for her prowess in posing, runway, editorial shoots, and everything in between. As if her spot in fashion history wasn't already assured, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Banks also made history as the first Black woman on the cover of<em> Sports Illustrated</em>&nbsp;<em>Swim</em>. But her legacy continues to grow: last year she was one of the hand-selected models for the publication's 60th anniversary cover, aptly titled &ldquo;Be Legendary.&rdquo;</span></p>

All Of The Most Iconic Swimsuit Models In Fashion History

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