2023 Rookie Lauren Chan Reflects on What She Learned on Set With SI Swimsuit, Shares BTS Pics

The founder and former fashion editor was photographed in the Dominican Republic and makes her debut with the magazine this month.

Lauren Chan was photographed by James Macari in the Dominican Republic.James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Former fashion editor and Canadian model Lauren Chan is still riding the wave of her new SI Swimsuit 2023 rookie status. Chan will make history this month as the first queer plus-sized rookie to be featured in the magazine. She wrote a heartfelt message alongside a series of adorable behind-the-scenes pics from her photo shoot with James Macari in the Dominican Republic earlier this year.

“@si_swimsuit trick: size down your bikini top for that @kateupton effect. 🍈🍈 That’s among the many things I learned on set with SI,” she captioned the post she shared Friday with her 86,000 Instagram followers. “Mostly, though, I learned that this culture-shaping institution is run by a just a few hard-working, welcoming, powerful, uplifting women. 🙌🏼 I’m so grateful to have worked with the forces behind the brand—and want to brag about them to you! Thank you.”

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Chan mentioned editor-in-chief MJ Day and several other members of the Swim Team.

“Absolute knockout,” Kelsey Stiegman commented.

In the first few photos, Chan donned a gorgeous stringy brown bikini featuring rose embellishments on the triangle-shaped top. She also tossed in a Polaroid snapshot from her pre-photo shoot fitting and a stunning glowy selfie in a robe. The Henning founder tagged makeup artist Tracy Murphy and hairstylist Adam Maclay.

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Meet Lauren Chan—read the 2023 SI Swimsuit rookie’s full feature profile here.

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