ZANDRIA Takes Over Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway at Miami Swim Week 2025
By Lexi Whaley, Founder of ZANDRIA
When Sports Illustrated Swimsuit hit the runway at Miami Swim Week 2025, they didn't just showcase swimwear.
They showcased ZANDRIA.
Over 10 models—including Olympic athletes, SI Swimsuit legends, and major influencers—walked the runway in hand-upholstered ZANDRIA cowboy hats, turning what could have been a standard swimwear show into a full Western-glam moment.
And Sports Illustrated covered it extensively across multiple articles, cementing ZANDRIA's place in one of the most iconic fashion moments of 2025.
The Runway Moment That Changed Everything
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit isn't just any brand. It's a cultural institution. For 60+ years, the SI Swimsuit Issue has defined beauty, confidence, and what it means to make a statement.
So when their 2025 runway show at Miami Swim Week incorporated ZANDRIA hats into look after look, it wasn't just a styling choice—it was a declaration:
Western-glam is high fashion. And ZANDRIA is leading it.
The Models Who Wore ZANDRIA
Camille Kostek - Linen Cheetah Print
Hat: Similar style - Velvet Cheetah (Camille's exact linen cheetah is sold out)
SI Swimsuit veteran Camille Kostek opened her runway look with a "lovely cheetah print hat from Zandria," according to Sports Illustrated's coverage. The hand-upholstered cheetah became the foundation of her cowgirl-inspired ensemble before transitioning into her swimsuit.
Sports Illustrated praised the look in their feature: "Camille Kostek Reveals the SI Swimsuit Runway Helped Her Embrace Her Body"
Jordan Chiles - Aline
Hat: Shop Aline
Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles brought athletic power and Western flair to the runway in ZANDRIA's Aline hat—a bold, structured piece that commanded attention with every step.
When an Olympic champion chooses your hat for one of the year's biggest runway moments? That's validation.
Ali Truwit - Patchwork Cheetah (One-of-One)
Hat: Shop Medici (similar patchwork cheetah style)
Paralympic medalist Ali Truwit wore a custom one-of-one patchwork cheetah ZANDRIA hat, described by Sports Illustrated as part of her "DENIMCRATIC two-piece suit with a Zandria hat."
SI covered her debut in: "Ali Truwit's Mantra for Her SI Swimsuit Runway Debut"
Remi Bader - Zebra Zephyr
Hat: Shop Zebra Zephyr
Content creator and model Remi Bader brought serious Western glam energy in ZANDRIA's Zebra Zephyr, which Sports Illustrated called "a Zandria cowgirl hat made up of zebra print served as an additional show-stopping accessory."
SI featured her look in: "Remi Bader Channels Western Glam for Impressive SI Swimsuit Runway Debut"
Ellie Thumann - Regent (Black Studded)
Hat: Shop Regent
Model Ellie Thumann rocked ZANDRIA's Regent—a black studded hat that Sports Illustrated described as part of her "edgy black studded string set from Paramiddona, paired with a blue denim bolero from Denimcratic and a black cowboy hat from Zandria."
SI covered her runway moment: "Ellie Thumann Is an Edgy Cowgirl in Studded Navy Bikini on SI Swimsuit Runway"
Lauren Chan - Wild Streak (Black Vinyl Croc)
Hat: Shop Wild Streak
Lauren Chan brought high-fashion edge to the runway in ZANDRIA's Wild Streak, a black vinyl croc-embossed hat that paired perfectly with chaps and a fierce attitude.
SI featured her look: "Lauren Chan's White Silk Bikini Delivered Peak Summer Perfection"
Nicole Williams - Viper's Veil
Hat: Shop Viper's Veil
Nicole Williams wore ZANDRIA's Viper's Veil, a sultry, statement-making hat that brought texture and drama to the SI Swimsuit runway.
Jilly Anais Watson - Golden Savannah
Hat: Shop Golden Savannah
Jilly Anais Watson walked the runway in ZANDRIA's Golden Savannah, the same gilded cheetah print hat that's been featured across press and celebrity moments throughout 2024-2025.
Jasmine Sanders - Dusk in the Delta
Supermodel Jasmine Sanders brought sophistication and warmth to the runway in ZANDRIA's Dusk in the Delta, a rich, textured design that photographed beautifully under the lights.
Achieng Agutu - Kira
Hat: Shop Kira
Model Achieng Agutu closed out the ZANDRIA moments with Kira, a sleek and striking hat that completed the Western-glam narrative Sports Illustrated was building.
What Sports Illustrated Said
Sports Illustrated didn't just feature ZANDRIA once. They covered the hats across multiple articles, including:
- "Every Look From the SI Swimsuit 2025 Runway Show at Swim Week" - A comprehensive gallery featuring ZANDRIA hats throughout
- "Remi Bader Channels Western Glam" - Highlighting the Zebra Zephyr
- "Camille Kostek Reveals the SI Swimsuit Runway Helped Her Embrace Her Body" - Featuring the cheetah print hat
- "Ellie Thumann Is an Edgy Cowgirl" - Showcasing the black studded Regent
- "Ali Truwit's Mantra for Her SI Swimsuit Runway Debut" - Featuring the patchwork cheetah
This wasn't one mention. This was sustained, extensive coverage from one of the most influential brands in fashion and sports.
Why This Matters
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit is a cultural landmark. For ZANDRIA to be featured this prominently—on Olympic athletes, supermodels, and major influencers—at their Miami Swim Week runway show is a turning point.
This is the moment ZANDRIA went from "cool hat brand getting press" to "major fashion brand that belongs on the world's biggest stages."
The Bigger Picture: ZANDRIA's 2024-2025
Let's be clear about what's happened in the past year:
- GQ + Variety: Lamorne Morris named Best Dressed
- NOTION Magazine: Tanner Adell cover + Buckle Bunny Tour
- PAPER Magazine: Tyler Cameron at Stagecoach
- Marie Claire: Jamie Putnam editorial
- The Zoe Report: Beyoncé Cowboy Carter guide
- Cosmopolitan: Victoria Monét at Beyoncé tour
- Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: 10+ models on the Miami Swim Week runway
ZANDRIA isn't just getting press. ZANDRIA is redefining what Western-inspired fashion looks like in 2025.
Shop the SI Swimsuit Runway Hats
Want to own the same hats that walked the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway?
Featured Hats:
- Velvet Cheetah - Similar to Camille Kostek's
- Medici - Ali Truwit's one-of-one patchwork cheetah
- Wild Streak - Lauren Chan's black vinyl croc
- Zebra Zephyr - Remi Bader's zebra print
- Regent - Ellie Thumann's black studded
- Viper's Veil - Nicole Williams
- Aline - Jordan Chiles
- Golden Savannah - Jilly Anais Watson
- Dusk in the Delta - Jasmine Sanders
- Kira - Achieng Agutu
Every hat is handmade by me in my studio. No production lines. No factories. Just one-woman craftsmanship and interior-grade fabrics built for the runway—and real life.
Ready to Own a Runway-Worthy Hat?
Explore the current collection of one-of-a-kind handmade cowboy hats at ZANDRIA.
Every hat is upholstered by hand using interior-grade fabrics. No two are ever the same. And once they're gone, they're gone.
Stylists: Want to pull ZANDRIA for your next runway show or editorial? Get in touch—I work with stylists for runway shows, campaigns, and high-profile events.
As Featured In:
- Sports Illustrated Swimsuit - Miami Swim Week 2025 Runway (10+ models)
- SI Swimsuit: Every Look From the 2025 Runway Show
- SI Swimsuit: Remi Bader Channels Western Glam
- SI Swimsuit: Camille Kostek on Embracing Her Body
- SI Swimsuit: Ellie Thumann Edgy Cowgirl
- SI Swimsuit: Ali Truwit Runway Debut
More from the ZANDRIA Journal:
- Victoria Monét Wears ZANDRIA to Beyoncé Tour (Cosmopolitan)
- ZANDRIA in The Zoe Report's Beyoncé Guide
- Tanner Adell NOTION Magazine Cover
- Lamorne Morris GQ + Variety Best Dressed
Featured on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2025 runway at Miami Swim Week - May 2025
