Ilona Maher Just Debuted Her Most Stunning Look to Date for Swim Week

The Olympian and SI Swimsuit model was breathtaking in blue for a fun weekend in Miami.

Ilona Maher / Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images/Sports Illustrated

Swim Week 2025 is officially underway, and SI Swimsuit favorite Ilona Maher is celebrating the only way she knows how: in style.

The rugby superstar, bronze medal-winning Olympian and two-time SI Swimsuit model took Miami, Fla., by storm this weekend to join in on all of the festivities at Swim Week. While the athlete appeared to have plenty of fun in the sun, one particular look she shared on her Instagram was so stunning, it may just be her best yet. Like, trust us: you will gasp when you see it.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

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See? Told you so.

Simply captioning the two-photo carousel, “In my own lane,” Maher posed on a balcony in a gorgeous blue gown ahead of attending the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Kick-Off Dinner.

Styled by SI Swimsuit’s very own fashion experts Margot Zamet and Liz Wentworth, the dress was a showstopper featuring a plunging neckline with fabric draping around the midriff, a high slit on one leg and an open back—the perfect cut for staying cool in the sweltering Miami heat. The ensemble was further accessorized with a long silver necklace and glittering silver earrings.

Her hair and makeup, which were done by Lex Smith, further tied the look together. Her glam consisted of some seriously sultry blue smoky eyes atop a glowy base, strong browns, fluttering eyelashes and a pop of pink on the lips. With her brunette locks slicked back into a tight 2000s-style updo with a couple of spiky pieces left out for added edge, this is a look so nice, she really should’ve posted it twice—oh wait, that’s right...she did!

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In a second Instagram post, Maher shared a video of herself in her hotel room dancing around and lip-syncing to Lola Young’s absurdly catchy new summer hit “One Thing,” relatably captioning the clip, “Had to keep checking nothing slipped out all night.”

And a look this spectacular could never go unappreciated—especially by the athlete’s passionate 5 million Instagram followers, fans and famous friends—with many taking to her comment section to shower her with well-earned praise:

“GIRRRRRRRRRL...I MEAN, WOMAAAAAAANNNN😍😍😍😍😍,” Sunny Anderson wrote.

“No crumbs were left,” Justine Joy declared.

“It’s not the dress (though it’s stunning), it’s how you wear it. That confidence is gorgeous!” A fan added—and we couldn’t agree more!

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As noted above, Maher is no stranger to SI Swimsuit, having posed for the brand twice now. The beloved athlete made her debut as a digital cover model in Sept. 2024 with a photo shoot in Bellport, N.Y., before reuniting with photographer Ben Watts for a tropical change of scenery in sunny Jamaica for the 2025 issue.

Maher will also be seen strutting her stuff down the runway during tonight’s Swim Week show, and—if this look was any indication—we’re in for a jaw-dropping evening!

You can watch the 2025 SI Swimsuit Runway Show streaming on YouTube here.

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