Christie Brinkley Shares Body-Positive Message with 1977 Bikini Pic That 'Caused a Stir'

Theswimsuit model, 65, shared a photo of her June 1977Cosmopolitanmagazine cover on Instagram, and revealed the backstory behind the bikini-clad image.

“In 1977 thisbathing suitcaused a stir! At the time all the bikinis were low slung on the hip,” Brinkley wrote. “This high leg cut leg made the hip a new erogenous zone.”

Brinkley, who was 23 at the time, wore a Norma Kamali iridescent purple halter bikini top with a sweetheart-style neckline and a connecting high-cut ruched bottom.

“I couldn’t figure out how to put it on as just one string holds it all together!” she added about the suit.

She goes on to point out that there was no “retouching back then,” so she had some insecurities about the photo.

“I remember [I] was worried that I looked fat,” she said. “I’m so glad that today our industry appreciates all shapes and sizes so we can just focus on being healthy. Not cookie cutter. Still there is something in some young girls that often makes them feel they just don’t measure up. I was one of them.”

The mother of three has opened up about self love, and has publicly encouraged her daughters,Alexa Ray Joel, 34, andSailor Brinkley Cook, 21, to love their bodies.

Christie Brinkley/Instagram

In 2017,Brinkley and her two daughters posedtogether for theSports Illustrated Swimsuitissue and at the time, Sailor opened up about her own struggles with body image.

“I’ve had issues with my body image since before I can even remember,” Brinkley Cookwrote on Instagram. “I grew up not loving how I looked and felt held back because of it … I don’t need to be a size 0 to believe in myself. My body carries me each and every day, it loves the people I love, it holds what makes me healthy and strong, it bends it shakes it runs and it CHANGES. That is okay and that is beautiful…As a growing young woman SI showed me all bodies are different and all bodies are worthy of celebrating. Thank you thank you @si_swimsuit for celebrating my beautiful mama, my beautiful sister, I, and ALL WOMEN!!”

Alexa Ray also opened up on Instagram, posting photos of theSI Swimshoot.

“Let’s STOP degrading and START celebrating ourselves and others, from both the inside AND out. ???There’s far too much degradation, competition, insecurity, and unhealthy standards associated with women and their bodies- particularly on social-media … We are all perfect, just as we are. Please know that. Thank you @si_swimsuit for showcasing all heights, shapes, and sizes. For within our distinctions, our quirks, and our self-perceived ‘flaws’… therein lies the beauty.”

In a second post she added, “This was a lesson in learning to let go, take the plunge, and embrace myself from both the inside AND out- which is something I struggle with each and every day. My purpose is to now pass along this lesson of unconditional self-love and self-respect to every woman who’s willing to listen.”

source: people.com