Comments

Making headlines after appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, plus size model Ashley Graham has been on a path toward global stardom.

2016 was a year that saw her walking Paris Fashion Week alongside Jourdan Dunn and Freja Beha Erichsen, as part of H&M’s Fall 2016 Studio show. Utilizing her millions of social media followers to share a message of body acceptance, she succeeded Tyra Banks as the resident model mentor on the reboot of America’s Next Top Model. By any standard Graham’s accomplishments would be impressive, but the fact that her presence has opened doors for size representation in all corners of the industry makes her a trailblazer. As Ivan Bart, President of IMG Models puts it:

“Ashley Graham is truly reflective of the world we live in, She has challenged not only the fashion and modeling industry but also the nuances of what acceptance of beauty means in our culture today.”

I second that. I could tell everyone that those stick thin catwalk models do wonders for me, but I’d be lying. Here’s to the female form in all its wondrous pulchritude……………………