Sixtine Rouyre wearing Gloves, Laruicci and Coat, Jonathan Marc Stein
A self-proclaimed body neutrality advocate, Sixtine Rouyre is a model and social media influencer who uses her platform to inspire other women to love their bodies regardless of their shape or size. With her message, Rouyre has made waves in the modeling industry and is now the newest rookie for the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.
Born in Brussels, Belgium, she relocated with her family to Fort Worth, Texas at a young age and started modeling at 11. Rouyre moved to New York City when she was 18 to pursue modeling as a full-time career. At the same time, Rouyre obtained her bachelor’s degree in a unique area of study from the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Her concentration was a mix of Psychology, Human Rights and Politics with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health studies.
Braset, Bare Necessities. Gloves, Laruicci. Coat, Jonathan Marc Stein
Rouyre’s modeling career started to take off in the fall of 2019 but was slowed by the outbreak of COVID-19. Making a slight pivot during the pandemic, she focused on growing her TikTok audience. Today, she has a combined following of nearly 900,000 on both the video-based platform and Instagram. She has appeared in campaigns for Target, Warby Parker, Ulta, SKIMS and Aerie. Most recently, in May 2023, Sixtine launched a new collaboration with Londre, a sustainable swim collection that is created from recycled water bottles with sizing ranging from XS-4X.
Harper’s Bazaar: Hello Sixtine Rouyre. Can you tell us about your journey to SI Swimsuit?
Sixtine Rouyre: Becoming an SI Rookie truly came out of nowhere. In the past I had considered doing the Swim Search but something about it never clicked so I never did it.
I saw a picture of Camille holding her Sports Illustrated Cover on my vision board last year I tried my best with the self-tape, sent it off and then completely forgot about it. Three weeks later my agent FaceTime’s me out of nowhere while I am on set and is like “Soooo MJ really loved your video and she wants to chat tomorrow. And if that goes well, you’ll have an “in person casting” in a few weeks and then the official shoot is the first weekend of December. Fast forward and two weeks later I was in Dominica shooting on my birthday! It was an absolute dream.
Just a few weeks ago, I walked my first ever runway with Sports Illustrated in Miami Swim week. I truly could not have asked for a better first show because it was just so much fun and relaxed. I was so thankful that the vibe was like this because on my second look I accidentally flashed my boobs to the entire crowd. It was actually pretty funny. Anyways this whole experience with SI has been absolutely incredible and a dream come true that I will forever cherish.
Dress, Jonathan Marc Stein
Harper’s Bazaar: Can you share some of your favorite self-care rituals or practices that help you stay grounded?
Sixtine Rouyre: This may seem counterproductive, but my form of self-care is going out with my friends. I am such an extrovert and have been lucky enough to have some of the greatest friends ever. So being with them, whether we are at the park or having dinner at someone’s house or going out dancing, for me is self-care.
I always joke that I don’t have many photos or footage of some of my happiest memories because it’s always when I’m out with them that I completely forget about my phone and I’m just fully present in the moment. I value my relationships with my friends more than anything in my life and they are what keep me grounded.
Harper’s Bazaar: What have been the most significant challenges you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?
Sixtine Rouyre: As a “curve” or “plus sized” model, there are plenty of challenges I could say were significant in my career. I mean, it’s only just recently that people who look like me could become successful models without starving ourselves into a size 0. The industry is a brutal place for any model, thin or not, and if you’re not strong enough to stand your ground it will beat you down so fast.
But all that being said, I think the most significant obstacle I had to overcome was myself: I was in my own damn way. I think a lot of people don’t realize this, but truly we are the ones who hold ourselves back from going after what we want. We let ourselves get plagued by anxieties of inability and self-doubt and self-hatred and then convince ourselves that it’s outside factors that must be preventing us from achieving our dreams. And once I realized this, that I was the only one stopping me from just doing it, I stopped bullshitting myself and just went for it.
Harper’s Bazaar: What lessons continuously play a role in your path to success?
Sixtine Rouyre: I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned and continuously come back to is something my mom has always told me: “Life happens for you, not to you.”
Basically, when everything feels like it’s going badly or you’re not getting the job you wanted or you’re getting rejection after rejection, it’s the universe’s way of letting other opportunities reach you.
For example, a lot of agencies turned me down before I was signed, and that path of rejection eventually led me to Ford Models. Without Ford, I don’t know that I would’ve gotten Sports Illustrated. So, in this way, all of those doors closing on me actually led to a great opportunity for me.
Focusing on that mindset has allowed me to get to where I am, and I still come back to it all the time when I am feeling stressed about a potential job or opportunity.
Dress, Jonathan Marc Stein. Boots, Abel Honor New York.
Harper’s Bazaar: If you could go back in time, what valuable advice would you offer to the younger Sixtine Rouyre?
Sixtine Rouyre: “Nothing is ever that serious.” Because in reality, it’s not.
These last few years have really taught me that the important things in life aren’t tied to our jobs or how many material items we own or even if that one romantic crush likes you back. And life is so much more enjoyable when you just have a silly time with it. Go out and dance, who cares if anyone watches you. Ask for that raise and if they say no then you’re right back where you started. Tell that person you like them, better to know than to always wonder what if. Because nothing is ever that serious and life moves on so you might as well have fun with it.
Harper’s Bazaar: What upcoming fashion trends are you most excited about and how do you incorporate them into your own wardrobe?
Sixtine Rouyre: I really like the re-emergence of classic French style. I love the classic Jane Birkin look and I feel like it’s been coming back full force for a while now and I am all for it.
As much as I loved the fun colors and patterns that were popular post pandemic (I mean we all needed some color in our lives after that), I have always preferred the timeless, simple looks of the French girl. And the best part of it that look is that its made up of things we all have in our closet: a black mini skirt, your best pair of jeans, a simple white tee, and a cute pair of loafers.
Harper’s Bazaar: What advice would you give to someone looking to find their own unique style?
Sixtine Rouyre: Don’t feel like you must stick to one style! I think a lot of trends right now are ultra-specific about what style you are: cottagecore vs y2k vs minimalist vs coastal grandma and so on. For so long I tried to find one and stick to it, but then realized my style kept changing as the trends changed and then I kept wanting to buy new clothes to fit the next trend. And dressing like that is SO unsustainable, both for you and the planet. I started buying what I like and what I know makes me feel good and focused less on what “Style” or “trend” I was trying to go for.
So that is my advice to someone looking to find their own style: don’t focus on what’s trendy, focus on what you like and what makes you feel confident and go from there. And don’t feel like you need to stick to one aesthetic!
Harper’s Bazaar: What are your top three fashion essentials that you can’t live without?
Sixtine Rouyre: A classic white tank top, a pair of thrifted cowboy boots and a solid leather jacket.
Harper’s Bazaar: What has been the most memorable moment in your career?
Sixtine Rouyre: Without a doubt, it was shooting for Sports Illustrated.
Braset, Bare Necessities. Coat, Laruicci
Harper’s Bazaar: Where do you see yourself in the next five years, both professionally and personally? Are there any exciting projects or goals in the near future?
Sixtine Rouyre: I honestly have no idea and I am really excited about that. I think I had a set idea of where I wanted to be last year and then when Sports Illustrated came out of nowhere it shifted everything for me.
I realized that no matter how much I plan or think about what I want, life will still have so many surprises for me. I love where I am right now professionally and the fact that I get to model and have a platform on which to share my experience and my thoughts has always been the ultimate dream and every day I get to continue to do it is more than I can ask for. So, I hope in 5 years I am still doing what I love, just maybe on a grander scale. I’d also really love to get into some philanthropic efforts in the next coming years, as that was always my goal when I was studying politics and human rights in college
As far as my personal life goes, it’s really hard to say where I will be in 5 years. I don’t think I ever plan on leaving New York City permanently, it is my home. All my friends are here, and god willing will still be here in 5 years. But we’re all in our mid 20’s and soon we’ll be about that age where friends start to get married and move away and maybe have kids. So, who’s to say where I will be in 5 years?
Braset, Bare Necessities. Coat, Laruicci
**Team Credits**
Muse: Sixtine Rouyre @sixtinerouyre
Cover Fashion: @jonathanmarcstein, @barenecessities
Photographer: Vincenzo Dimino @vincenzo.dimino
Lighting: Santiago Elliott @santielliott
Photo Assistant: Marissa Fortugno @handsome.mf
Retouching: @malinskaya_retouch
MUA: @makeupbyshadi
Hair Styling: @daveydidmyhair
Wardrobe Styling: @dylway
Production: @emilyblairmedia, @cancelcommunications
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