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Melissa Wood-Tepperberg Wore Shells and Sea Sponge for Her 2023 SI Swimsuit Photo Shoot
Melissa Wood-Tepperberg was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica.
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
SI Swimsuit rookie Melissa Wood-Tepperberg truly embraced nature for her photo shoot with photographer Yu Tsai in Dominica. The mom of two, who founded the MWH platform with the goal of making mindful health and wellness accessible to all, wore a variety of stunning swimsuits featuring real pieces of seashells, sea sponge and even plants.
“It feels so beyond incredible to be a Sports Illustrated rookie. I can’t fully believe it, but then I can believe it because I’m here and I’m doing it, and it just feels phenomenal,” the 40-year-old said. “Being with Yu Tsai and MJ [Day, SI Swimsuit editor in chief] and the entire team, I have to say that I felt so entirely supported throughout every single step of the way. It’s like working with a well-oiled machine, and I just felt like I was able to fully be myself and bring forward the real me in the most effortless way with incredible direction.”
Below are six of our favorite photos from Wood-Tepperberg’s 2023 rookie photo shoot in Dominica.
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
Melissa Wood-Tepperberg was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by NATASHA TONIĆ.
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
Melissa Wood-Tepperberg was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by Akoia Swim. Shrug by: Natalia Fedner.
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
Melissa Wood-Tepperberg was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by Lybethras Swimwear. Body Chain by KBH Jewels.
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
Melissa Wood-Tepperberg was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by Andi Bagus. Bracelets: Viktoria Hayman Jewelry.
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
Melissa Wood-Tepperberg was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by Nicole McLaughlin.
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
Melissa Wood-Tepperberg was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by Andi Bagus.
Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit, where she covers fashion, beauty, pop culture and the internet’s favorite personalities and trends. She joined the brand in 2022 after roles at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. Panchal loves to write about fashion in all its forms—from standout runway moments and evolving street style to the best accessories to elevate each season’s wardrobe (she rarely goes anywhere without a stack of jewelry and a coffee in hand). A self-proclaimed beauty fanatic, she’s always on the hunt for must-have products and loves breaking down viral trends. Her favorite series at the moment is spotlighting female founders and the stories behind the brands they’ve built—especially those shaping the future of fashion, wellness and tech. She is based between New York City and San Francisco and, when she’s not writing, can be found rewatching One Tree Hill, playing sudoku, trying new restaurants or ranking her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in criminal justice from Boston University.