Nine years after an unguarded bikini photo taken in Greece became a viral sensation, Alexandra Shulman is reflecting on the personal trials and shifts in perspective that have followed. In 2017, Shulman, then 59 and recently departed from her role as editor-in-chief of British Vogue, posted a spontaneous picture of herself in a Boden bikini on Instagram. The image, intended as a simple holiday snapshot, unexpectedly ignited public discussion, being interpreted by some as a statement against unrealistic beauty standards for older women.
A Viral Moment and its Aftermath
Shulman described the original post as an "unthinking and completely unfiltered picture" taken on a whim while preparing for a boat trip with friends. Upon returning, she and her then-boyfriend, now husband David, discovered the photo had generated significant media attention, with editors requesting interviews and articles about the image. The "bikini-gate" incident, as it became known, coincided with her departure from Vogue and fueled debates about the portrayal of older women in the media and the appropriateness of them wearing bikinis.
Personal Health Battles
In the nine years since the initial photo, Shulman's life has been marked by significant health challenges. Four years after the "bikini-gate" incident, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which was treated with surgery and radiotherapy. This left a scar and a dent on her chest. Three years later, in 2024, she was diagnosed with colon cancer, which was also surgically removed, resulting in several short scars on her torso. Despite these physical changes, Shulman states she does not mind the scars and maintains a nonchalant attitude towards her body, noting that she still wears bikinis, though she has gained weight due to hormone treatment for breast cancer. This has made her slightly less comfortable wearing bikinis when boarding boats in front of large groups, opting for one-piece swimsuits on occasion.
The psychological impact of the cancer diagnoses, however, remains. Shulman noted a "deeply penetrating sense of vulnerability" that follows facing serious illness, replacing any former expectation of constant good health with a sharper awareness of her body's fragility.
Facing Mortality and Loss
Her recent years have also been shaped by the realization of life's fleetingness, a sentiment amplified by her husband David's own cancer diagnoses and treatments. The couple, who married in April after 22 years together, now live with a greater appreciation for enjoying the present.
This year also saw the death of Shulman's mother, who passed away just short of her 99th birthday. Shulman describes spending her mother's final years by her side, recounting daily life and cherishing their time together. The holiday she is currently taking is the first without her mother, a period marked by the absence of maternal concern and the inability to share travel experiences with her.
A Changed Perspective
Shulman's experience with "bikini-gate" also provided an early, albeit unexpected, lesson in the way social media can be used to curate public perception. While she continues to use Instagram as a "public photograph album," she now views past posts with a "melancholy" awareness of the unforeseen challenges that lay ahead, recognizing that many happy images were captured before the onset of illness and loss.
Looking back at the same Greek location where the 2017 photo was taken, Shulman acknowledges the momentous personal events of the past decade, including her marriages and the health battles she and her husband have faced. She concludes that while the future remains unknown, the experience has instilled a more acute understanding that "our days are numbered and that, as they tick on by, we have to make the most of every minute we have."