(swimsuitsforall)
Ashley Graham is the first-ever plus-size model to be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The bikini-clad model, who is a size 14-16, appears in the 2015 edition, which hits newsstands next week.
Graham’s appearance is part of an ad for the plus-size bathing suit company, swimsuitsforall. She says in a statement, “I know my curves are sexy and I want everyone else to know that theirs are too. There is no reason to hide and every reason to flaunt.”
Graham shared a sneak peek of the ad on Instagram, writing, “Secret’s out!! So honored to be the face of #CurvesInBikinis for @swimsuitsforall! Can’t wait for the ad’s debut in the @SI_Swimsuit issue!” She added the hashtags, “#beautybeyondsize #sexystateomind #lovetheskinyourein #curvesfordays #ashleygraham.” See a larger version of the picture below, plus video.
Swimsuitsforall’s CEO and president Moshe Laniado says, “Tastes and body types change over time and curves have never been more ‘in’. There is no better way to celebrate and show off than by donning a bikini. When the #CurvesInBikinis ad in Sports Illustrated is released, the world will be watching and they’ll like what they see.” Last year, the company famously recreated the magazine’s cover with curvy models.
Graham was recently in the news for slamming the media’s perception of size. She said wrote in an essay for The Edit, “I was told to look up to Marilyn Monroe and J.Lo, because those were the only two curvy women considered beautiful. We need role models for young girls who say, ‘Embrace your curves. Who cares that your body isn’t perfect?’ There’s too much anorexia, obesity and suicide in this generation and nobody is addressing the issue.”
“Young girls don’t have much to look at, curvy women are not on covers of magazines, they’re not talked about on social media as much as other celebrities,” Graham continued. “Jennifer Lawrence is the media’s poster girl for curves — [but] she’s tiny.” What do you think?
(swimsuitsforall)
