Cheryl Tiegs later called her famous white fishnet swimsuit photograph “a throwaway shot” and said, “It’s not my favorite shot.” In Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue, she and photographer Walter Iooss Jr. recalled a wet, gloomy afternoon in Brazil: editor Jule Campbell asked Tiegs to get wet to catch highlights in the poor light, and Tiegs said the water made the cotton suit see-through.
Why did Tiegs call the photograph a “throwaway shot”?
The phrase was Tiegs’s retrospective description of the image—not a claim that the photograph was unimportant to its later fame. In the documentary Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue, she also said, “It’s not my favorite shot.” The documentary’s recollections present the photograph as an unexpected result of a difficult shoot, rather than an image planned from the start as the standout. People via Yahoo Entertainment and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit reported her remarks in 2024.
What happened during the shoot?
The documentary recollections place the shoot in Manaus, Brazil, on a wet afternoon with poor light. Photographer Walter Iooss Jr. recalled the conditions as miserable and characterized the image as “a picture you wouldn’t want to show anyone.” Campbell, then the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit editor, remembered the light as “awful” and asking Tiegs, “Would you please get wet?” She said she hoped glistening skin would create highlights.
Tiegs recalled that the suit was “just a bunch of cotton” before it got wet. In her account, “Getting the suit wet was what made it so see-through.” Campbell said her request was about the lighting, not an intention to expose more of Tiegs’s body. These are participants’ recollections as presented in the documentary, not independently verified production notes. Idaho Public Television provides a transcript excerpt from the film’s conversation: Beyond The Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue.
#1 Best Overall
- Fabric has stretch
- Feature: sleeveless, halter neck, fishnet romper, hollow out, see through, cover up bodysuit
- Size Guide: Please refer to the【Product Description】below (The Size Chart is clothes size, NOT human body size)
- Slim fit, mesh romper, fishnet cover up, swimsuit cover up, bathing suit cover up shorts
- Occasions: Great for beach, pool side, party, holiday, vacation, cruise, water park, etc
Who took the white fishnet photograph?
Walter Iooss Jr. took the photograph. He was the photographer on the Brazil shoot; Campbell’s role in the recollection was as the magazine editor who suggested getting wet to address the poor light. The Vanity Fair interview with Iooss also discusses the image and its setting.
Was the photograph taken in 1977 or 1978?
The sources give different years, so the date should be attributed rather than presented as settled. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and People’s 2024 report identify the photograph or shoot as 1978. Iooss told Vanity Fair in 2010 that he took the fishnet image in Brazil in 1977, and a 1977 TIME profile described a recent wet white fishnet photograph by Iooss. A careful shorthand is that the image belongs to the 1977–78 period; the available accounts do not resolve the discrepancy.
Rank #2
- 【Size】Small=0-2, Medium=4-6, Large=8-10, X-Large=12, XX-Large=14
- 【Feature】Halter / Deep V Neck / Removable Padded / Fishnet / Crochet / Hollow Out / Side Tie Cheeky / High Cut / Sheer / Cheeky / Backless / Elastic
- 【Design】This swimsuit is made of opaque material for the private parts and mesh fishnet panels, which is sexy while providing good privacy protection
- 【Fabric】Lightweight mesh material keeps you cool (no stuffiness in summer) while offering stretchy, body-hugging fit that never restricts movement
- 【Occasion】Beach / Seaside / Vacation / Hawaii / Holiday / Pool Party / Water Park / Sunbath / Tan Through / Cruise
Where does the documentary fit in the story?
Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue is the source of the reported recollections from Tiegs, Iooss, and Campbell. People reported that it premiered at DOC NYC on November 17, 2024, and was available online from November 18 through December 1, 2024. Those dates have passed and do not establish whether or where the documentary can be watched now.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Features: Sexy beach cover up, fishnet hollow out bathing suit dress, sheer mesh see through coverups
- Fabric is very stretchy, and it's soft and comfortable
- Occasion: Perfect for summer vacations, beach, pool, spa, surfing, photographs and other water activities
- Care Instructions: Hand wash or professional dry clean
- Please refer to product measurement in the last item picture before ordering (not human body size)
Rank #4
- 【Materiel】Underwear is not included. This bathing suit cover up is made of 95% Nylon and 5% Spandex that the feel is similar to that of bodystocking, but it is much softer, breathable and resistant to tearing—ideal for beach outings.Hand wash only. Please wash at low temperature, do not bleach, and avoid prolonged sun exposure.
- 【One Size Fit All】The mesh cover up is made from highly elastic fabric. Unlike the Crochet weaving method, this cover-up offers great elasticity, a strong wrap-around feel.It can conform perfectly to your body, accentuating your curves. It accommodates different body types, allowing women weighing between 100 and 165 pounds to wear it with ease.
- 【Stylish Design】This swimsuit cover-up features features a mesh cutout, long sleeves, and a bold cut out of the chest design, combining elegance with allure. It pairs well with any any bathing suit, swimwear or bikini. This sheer beach cover up is an essential summer item for vacations, travel, and the pool.
- 【Occasions】This vacation dresses for women 2026 is sure to turn heads at any event! Perfect for the beach, pool, tanning salon, water park, holiday, at home, or on a trip. Feel gorgeous and confident all vacation long!
- 【Styling Tips】Wear it over a high-waisted bikini or a solid one-piece swimsuit for a seductive glimpse of your curves. Pair with shorts or a high-waisted skirt to effortlessly transition from the beach to a seaside bar. Complete the look with flat sandals or platform flip-flops, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses for the ultimate vacation vibe.
Rank #3
- 【Feature】Bodycon / Round Neck / Sleeveless
- 【Style】A nice fitting racerback tank coverup dress for summer.
- 【Design】Vibrant neon dress will glow beautifully under blacklight.
- 【Don't Miss】Cute enough to wear over bikini at pool party.
- 【Occasion】Swimsuit Cover Up / Beach Wear / Rave Outfit
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