Christie Brinkley, 70, Is Red Hot at SI Swimsuit's 60th Anniversary Event, Says Daughter Inspires Her Less Comfortable Looks (Exclusive)

Christie Brinkley is celebrating Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in style.

On May 16, Brinkley, 70, stepped out to mark the 60th anniversary cover in honor of its Legends shoot at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City.

Brinkley wore a fire engine red gown that included long wing, form-fitting sleeves. The skirt of her dress had a deep slit that showed off her legs. She also accessorized with a pair of gold hoops. The mom of three's hair was in an Old Hollywood style, with a side part highlighting loose waves down her shoulder.

She also exclusively tells PEOPLE how her daughter, Sailor Brinkley Cook, has given her confidence to wear a swimsuit and how "incredible" she's been in that regard. Brinkley shares Sailor, 25, with ex-husband Peter Cook.

"Sailor is very strong and, you know, she has very strong opinions about feeling good about yourself because she's gone through strong feelings, not feeling good about herself," Brinkley shares.

"So, she's really into empowering herself to feel confident and good. And she'll say to me if ever I, I'm doubtful and I go, 'I don't know, you know, is this like...?' She's like, 'Mom, you're beautiful, embrace it, you know, go with it, lean into it.' And I'm like, 'Ok, I shall try.'"

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Brinkley stars alongside Martha Stewart, Maye Musk, Tyra Banks, Winnie Harlow and more Sports Illustrated Swimsuit legends on the three collectible covers.

However, it's not the first time she's made history with the brand.

Since her debut in 1975, she's starred on eight different covers, three of which were earned consecutively from 1979-1981. According to the publication, she is the only one with this achievement in addition to Elle Macpherson, who reached this status in 1986.

When the cover was released earlier this week, Brinkley shared the emotions she was feeling seeing so many legendary women in one frame.

"Together we are more than the sum of our parts ..we are a celebration of every woman a statement of inclusivity and individuality. And boy do I feel so lucky to have gotten to know some of these fabulous individuals pictured here…amazing women who inspire and excel!" she wrote.

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She also reflected on the journey she's taken since her first cover.

"If someone came up to young permed sunburned me during my first photo shoot with the iconic magazine and whispered 'they will still be inviting you to be in the picture at 70,' I would have laughed at them and called them crazy. But now I know that no one wants to become invisible because of our age, (or ethnicity, size, gender, or anything for that matter!)"

Brinkley ended her message with a cheeky joke towards SI Swimsuit's 60th birthday. "So thank you S.I. … you may just be 60, but you’re very smart for your age!"

The 60th anniversary issue is out on newsstands May 17.