Allie Ayers Shares Sweet Montage From Early Modeling Days

The SI Swim Search finalist has dedicated herself to mentoring those trying to break into the industry.

Allie Ayers.Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images

Allie Ayers is both a model and changemaker in the industry. The two-time Swim Search finalist (2018 and ’21) shared the sweetest video on Instagram reminiscing on her early modeling days.

“I found this sweet video of @don.ixon and me playing around in our NYC apartment and thought it was too fun not to share,” she wrote, tagging photographer Don Nixon. “That beginning, scary, creative part of trying to break into the industry holds some of my favorite memories. Don’t spend so much of your energy worried about ‘making it’ that you forget to enjoy the come up ♥️.”

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A post shared by Allie Ayers Lindsey (@allieeayers)

The post included short montages of at-home amateur photo shoots. Ayers experimented with different clothes, fun makeup, interesting hairstyles and a variety of poses and smolders.

“PS - Who do you know that needs to be scouted and start their modeling journey,” she continued. “Tag them here or send it in my story.”

Ayers founded Bissy Swim—inspired by her middle name, Elizabeth—in 2018 as a made-to-order swimwear brand that prioritizes inclusion and sustainability.

“I was trying to adjust to modeling in New York as a ‘midi-model’ and I was learning very quickly that there was little space in our industry for women between a size 4 and a size 14,” she explained in 2020. “That struggle led to a heightened awareness of the lack of representation for a slew of other so-called ‘outliers’ in fashion, be that because of color, size, gender identity or background.”

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Ayers added that she always wanted to create a brand that would increase representation for women of her size and she knew what a “vulnerable” process shopping for swimsuits could be.

“If you can feel sexy in a swimsuit, that can translate to anything else you put on your body,” she said. “If I can create truly beautifully fitting swimwear for women of all sizes and help redefine the beauty standard through our advertising, this can be a pivotal point for women and the way they view themselves.”

Ayers has also dedicated herself to helping those trying to break into the modeling industry. The Oklahoma native noted that she struggled with booking her first gig, but after she got her foot in the door, she landed tons of major brands, including Wrangler and Athleta. Having a mentor was the “make or break” point of her career, and she stated she wants to be that support system and encouragement for others.

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