Most of the time, the discourse about diversity in fashion and magazines is about the color of models‘ skin, with body shape and size often going overlooked. The norm is for pages to be riddled with tall, stick-thin women, whether they are black and white, but all is not lost—progress is being made.
Within its annual swimsuit edition, Sports Illustrated will include among the typically size 2 models one that is a size 16, which is pretty major. This is not to say newly unveiled cover girl Hannah Davis isn’t beautiful, because of course she is…
But inside the issue, Ashley Graham is stealing the spotlight. With a portfolio of spreads in titles like Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, and ELLE, she can now add being the first-ever plus-size model in the issue.
She will appear in a campaign for “swimsuitsforall,” so it should be noted that this is a paid advertisement. Still, it’s a first.
“I know my curves are sexy and I want everyone else to know that theirs are too,” Ashley said in a statement. “There is no reason to hide and every reason to flaunt.”
Before the issue and ad go on stands February 9, see the accompanying campaign video up top. In the meantime, here’s to hoping Ashley or someone like her gets the cover next time.
VIDEO CREDIT: swimsuitsforall via YouTube
