Sports Illustrated Is Featuring Its First Plus-Size Model
The ladies of the plus-size modeling world are definitely having a moment. Last week we introduced you to the gorgeous Tess Holliday, who is the first model of her size and height to be signed to a major modeling agency, and now we’re coming at you with even more exciting news: this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition will feature a plus-size model for the first time ever.
While SI has not yet added a curvalicious lady to their roster of beach babes, the magazine, out next Monday, will finally feature an ad for the plus-size swimwear company, Swimsuits For All. In the ad we see size-16 beauty Ashley Graham looking smoking hot in a strappy black swimsuit next to a fella who is definitely thinking the same. “I know my curves are sexy and I want everyone else to know that theirs are too,” the model, 27, tells Us Magazine. “There is no reason to hide and every reason to flaunt.”
Graham is no newbie the glossy pages, the Nebraska native has been featured in Vogue, O Magazine and Glamour, worked as a lingerie model for Lane Bryant and even collaborated with Canadian brand, Addition Elle on her own lingerie line back in 2013.
Following the ad, both Ashley and Swimsuits For All plan on running a social media campaign with the hashtag, #CurvesinBikinis, which is meant to encourage girls to show off their curves. Pair that up with Tess Holliday’s hashtag, #effyourbeautystandards and you’ve got yourself a pretty good looking Instagram feed.
While Ashley is only featured in an ad this year, let’s not write it off as a less important milestone for plus-size ladies. If her ads are this gorgeous, just imagine how amazing they’d be as a full editorial spread. It may be too late to include a plus-size gal into the main SI cast of 2015, but this is definitely giving us high hopes for next year’s edition.
(h/t Racked, images via @swimsuitsforall)