This Tuesday, Feb. 17, marked the Lunar New Year, formally declaring the rest of 2026 via February 6, 2027, the yr of the “Hearth Horse.”
As famous by Harper’s Bazaar, this explicit mixture is uncommon within the Chinese language Zodiac calendar, the outlet writing, “A Hearth Horse solely happens each 60 years and is related to intense ardour, a way of urgency and self-determination.” Given this fierce, centered vitality, the overall vibe of the signal requires all issues daring—and that goes on your decisions in each on a regular basis life and in your wardrobe—with Vogue describing the signal’s vitality as “dynamic, very important [and] daring.”
In fact, this received us to excited about a few of our previous SI Swimsuit shoots that actually embodied the fascinating vitality of the “Hearth Horse.” So with that in thoughts, we pulled a number of of our favorites from the archives on your New 12 months’s inspiration!
A passionate content material creator, Kittle entered 2026 with loads of “daring” vitality, becoming a member of SI Swimsuit for the primary time as one in every of six cowl fashions for the February digital issue. Within the Sunshine State, she modeled vibrant pink two-pieces on the shores of Fort Myers. Whereas chatting with the model, Kittle additionally revealed that her seaside shoot, captured by photographer Katherine Goguen, was really a manifestation of her targets for the brand new yr, as she hopes to say sure to extra.
“As a result of I’m actually good at saying no,” she said about her decision to hitch SI Swimsuit. “That is really a once-in-a-lifetime alternative, and being an athlete my complete life, I really like one thing to work in direction of. A objective. And so it’s simply actually cool that [SI Swimsuit] even considered me within the first place.”
You’ll be able to view Kittle’s full gallery here.
In 2023, Nu reunited with SI Swimsuit for her third consecutive shoot with the journal after her options in Tampa, Fla., in 2021 and Montenegro in 2022—the latter for which earned her a coveted cowl spot. Touring to the plush inexperienced shores of Dominica, the mannequin posed for photographer Amanda Pratt in pictures that would’ve been plucked straight out of a heart-pounding journey movie.
Per the SI Swimsuit fashion workforce, the objective for style on the shoot was to merge earthy tones present in nature with “extraterrestrial-inspired” hues and cuts, leading to an eclectic mixture of high-energy moments that completely screamed “Hearth Horse” fabulousness.
You’ll be able to view Nu’s full gallery here.
It’s inconceivable to listen to the phrase “fabulousness” with out instantly pondering of Hayek Pinault’s headline-making 2025 SI Swimsuit debut. Taking to Mexico with photographer Ruven Afanador, the actor stepped out of her consolation zone to welcome one thing new and thrilling, one yr earlier than the 2026 Zodiac would encourage others to do the identical.
“I keep in mind once I was younger, a protracted, very long time in the past, I used to be at all times excited to see the Swimsuit Situation of Sports activities Illustrated, and [thinking] ‘Who’s going to be in it?’ In fact, I didn’t appear like a mannequin, so it by no means crossed my thoughts that sooner or later I’d be in it,” Hayek Pinault told SI Swimsuit. “If any person had informed me I used to be gonna be in it at 58, I’d have despatched them to the madhouse, however the world has modified, and that’s thrilling.”
You’ll be able to view Hayek Pinault’s full gallery here.
Ciara’s dazzling SI Swimsuit debut in 2022 was additionally the definition of daring, because the recording artist embraced a novel assortment of designer seems in Barbados for a shoot she known as “a dream come true.” Her styling on location merged basic swimwear staples with fashionable touches by way of her equipment, completely embodying the centered and fearless vitality of the 2026 Zodiac signal.
“Whenever you’re pursuing your dream, all it takes is one individual to imagine, and that’s you,” Ciara informed SI Swimsuit. “In the event you imagine, there’s all the possibility on this planet. … There’s much more I need to accomplish, and I’ve to have that ‘I imagine in me, why not you’ angle.”
You’ll be able to view Ciara’s full gallery here.
SI Swimsuit needs you a really completely happy Lunar New 12 months, and we hope these marvelous moments will encourage you to be just a little bolder in 2026!
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