The Inspiration Behind Top Hairstylist Anthony Cristiano's Work for Sports Illustrated

Anthony began creating stunning looks for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in 2014 featuring rising stars like Gigi Hadid, and he has been a staple hair artist for the publication ever since. In 2015, Cristiano executed his first ever Sports Illustrated cover, featuring Hannah Davis Jeter sporting natural, beach blonde waves, shot at Tennessee’s idyllic Blackberry Farm. With each issue, Anthony adopts a new style and brings a renewed energy to set.

He is largely motivated by the host of awe-inspiring shoot locations, each evoking a distinctive aura of their own. One of the celebrity hair artist’s favorite destinations was Malta where models posed in front of the azure window, a remarkable natural landmark which collapsed shortly after the issue was published. Cristiano deeply enjoyed being a part of a shoot that ultimately helped memorialize an iconic feature of the country’s natural landscape in print.

In his time with Sports Illustrated, he has styled some incredible talent including famed celebrities, models and athletes like Barbara Palvin, Emily DiDonato, Megan Rapinoe, Abby Dahlkemper and Crystal Dunn. Anthony’s latest work with SI takes a fresh perspective yet again. The 2021 shoot inspired by the luxurious but casual work of American photographer, Slim Aaron will hit the newstand summer of 2021.