Allie Ayers has the unique distinction of having been featured in the SI Swimsuit Issue as both a model (she was a Swim Search finalist in both 2018 and ’21) and a swimwear designer. The former software programmer had the idea to start a size-inclusive swimwear line while working in Bali and Mexico as a coder. She taught herself to sew by watching YouTube videos.
Bissy Swim was founded in 2018, a made-to-order brand focused on sustainability and diversity. (Bissy is a nod to her middle name, Elizabeth.)
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“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. “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. I knew I wanted to create a brand that would provide a platform for women who wanted to see people like them represented in modeling, fashion and advertising. I had been interested in creating swimwear specifically because I know what a vulnerable thing swimsuits can be for so many women. If you can feel sexy in a swimsuit, that can translate to anything else you put on your body. 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.”
Here are five of our favorite photos from her photo shoot in Belize with photographer Yu Tsai in 2018.
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
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