It was drizzling outside, but under the awning that covered the 10-foot-long red carpet in front of the Hard Rock Hotel, it was hot. Supermodels of every era stayed dry and picture perfect as they arrived in Midtown for a celebration of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue’s 60th anniversary.
The issue has four cover stars: Gayle King, Chrissy Teigen, Kate Upton and Hunter McGrady. Ms. King’s cover has been widely celebrated, mainly for continuing the magazine’s progress in moving away from what had long been its trademark: young, perky cover models.
As Ms. King made her way over the red carpet, she skipped past the entrance to the Venue on Music Row, where the party had started. She was in a rush and had to run up to Rockefeller Center for a taping of “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon.
“I was very flattered and very honored that they made that choice,” Ms. King said of being chosen for the cover. “I was always told that I was an insider, and I was excited just to do that. So, when the cover came out and I was there, it shows you anything is possible.”
The swimsuit issue comes after several months of tumult at the magazine. Arena Group, the digital-media company that had run the magazine since 2019, had threatened to end its print edition. In March, a new buyer arose. Minute Media, a digital-media company focused on sports, stepped in and announced its intention to keep the print edition going.
But the ability to change, whether it is the owner of the publication or the cover star, is in the magazine’s DNA, according to MJ Day, the swimsuit issue’s editor in chief.
“Historically, this brand has always been one step ahead,” Ms. Day said at the top of the red carpet, after greeting Tyra Banks. “Whether it’s putting a model’s name next to them on the cover and assigning them that branding possibility, to putting Tyra Banks on the cover as the first Black woman to be on a single issue magazine cover.”
Among those there to celebrate was Maye Musk, who walked the red carpet wearing a cardinal-red sequined caftan. Ms. Musk, who at the age of 74 appeared on the cover of the swimsuit issue in August 2022, has been a model for 50 years and lives a full life, she said.
“That’s what makes it so important, because it gives women a lot of hope,” Ms. Musk said over the sound of passing police sirens, which she referred to as “New York music.”
“Even if you’re 19 and you see a 76-year-old model looking fabulous on the cover of Sports Illustrated, it’s going to give you hope.”
Martha Stewart, the oldest cover model in the issue’s history, was also on the red carpet, wearing “Brunello Cuccinelli head to toe,” she said. Ms. Stewart posed for the cover last year, at 81, and while she does not want to be called a legend — “legends are dead,” she said — she’s having fun.
“I think it has helped other women think, ‘Gosh, she looks good, maybe I could look good,” Ms. Stewart said. “And that’s very important to me. Being an example is good.”
Ms. Upton, who appeared in her first swimsuit issue in 2011, when she was 19, has watched the swimsuit issue evolve first hand.
“It feels really surreal,” said Ms. Upton, 31, who was wearing a lacy black Dolce & Gabbana dress. “You never know when you’re first starting out modeling that you’re going to be in this position. It surpasses what you think that the peak is of your modeling career. It really is just such an honor.”
Inside, reproductions of old Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue covers, dating back to the first, from 1964, graced the walls. The D.J. provided a soundtrack that wandered from Miley Cyrus to Ice Spice, while a giant screen showed video footage of the moment models learned they had been chosen for the anniversary issue.
At around 8 p.m. the dance floor was still sparse, while the bar was crowded. Slowly the tide began to turn, with Chanel Iman bopping to the music in a bejeweled Bronx and Banco mini dress alongside her husband, Davon Godchaux, a defensive tackle for the New England Patriots. Molly Sims took selfies and the model Jasmine Sanders danced.
The attention of the sea of athletes, supermodels and influencers quickly parted in two directions.
On the left, there was the N.F.L. superstar Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, flanked by security, a gaggle of friends and Ms. King, who had magically reappeared. On the right side of the dance floor, the gravitational pull was toward Chrissy Teigen and her husband, the musician John Legend.
The parted sea of revelers came together when Ja Rule appeared onstage. After the rapper ran through his handful of early 2000s hits, his friend and frequent collaborator, Fat Joe, joined him.
Rob Gronkowski, the retired N.F.L. star, towered over almost everyone. As he danced along to “Lean Back,” he waved at Mr. Mahomes, mouthing “Hi” with his signature goofy grin. Mr. Mahomes waved back, took a swig of his beer and danced with his wife.
Soon, the Mahomeses scuttled out of the venue. Catching the cue, Fat Joe ended his set after a lively rendition of DJ Khaled’s “All I Do is Win.” Minutes later, Mr. Legend and Ms. Teigen snaked their way out as well, but not before a quick hug with Ms. Day.
By then, Ms. King was long gone, again.
