Sports Illustrated's annual swimsuit issue addresses #MeToo movement with nude photoshoot

But how empowering is a nude photoshoot?

Instagram/si_swimsuit (Taylor Ballantyne)

Sports Illustrated has dedicated their annual swimsuit issue to the #MeToo movement - with a nude photoshoot featuring models Paulina Porizkova, Sailor Brinkley Cook and Robyn Lawley.

In a claimed bid to champion female empowerment, the spread features the women completely naked with words such as “natural” and “truth” painted on their bodies.

Titled “In her own words”, editor MJ Day hopes the shoot will combat the objectification of women and perpetuate an inspiring message in which “models [are] as much participants as objects”.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Day revealed her all-female team have been working on the special issue for months and saw #MeToo as an opportunity to change attitudes surrounding Sports Illustrated, which is renowned for its provocative photoshoots.

“It’s about allowing women to exist in the world without being harassed or judged regardless of how they like to present themselves.”

Nonetheless, Day explained that the shoot still upholds to the title’s seductive aesthetic.

“These are sexy photos,” she added.

“At the end of the day, we’re always going to be sexy, no matter what is happening.”

Naturally, critics have been quick to lambast Day for advocating female empowerment with nude imagery that will inevitably encourage objectification, regardless of the intention.

Some even accused the title of contributing towards everything #MeToo intends to combat, citing the shoot as "part of the problem".

“Because nothing honours women like putting a naked picture of one on the cover of a men’s magazine #LiberalHypocrisy @SInow,” wrote one Twitter user.

“So we're going to confront sexual harassment...by publishing photos of naked women. Because that makes sense. #MeToo,” added another.