Your cart is currently empty!
Let’s Ditch the ‘Plus-Sized’ Label for Ashley Graham – Gorgeous is Enough!
Forget the labels! When Sports Illustrated made the groundbreaking decision to feature a curvy model on the cover of their annual swimsuit issue, it felt like the world was about to flip upside down. Enter Ashley Graham, a stunning size 16 beauty, who graced one of the three covers this year while the internet collectively lost its mind.
Last year, Graham was front and center in a campaign called #curvesinbikinis for Bikinis For All. Sports Illustrated even gave ad space to the brand in their coveted issue. Bravo Sports Illustrated! Everyone praised the magazine for letting a woman who doesn’t fit their usual mold shine, despite the fact that Graham didn’t even get paid to be in the issue. Clearly, the response was overwhelming, which might have nudged SI to push the envelope a little further this year.
But let’s clear up a misconception: this isn’t the first time SI has included a “plus-sized” model. Last year, they featured Robin Lawley, a size 12, on their pages. Yes, size 12 is considered “plus-sized” in the fashion world, which is precisely why we need to ditch these absurd classifications. Thankfully, SI mustered the courage to let Graham take the spotlight, and the earth didn’t crack in half.
Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not here to rain on the parade. Graham is undeniably gorgeous, and her presence in swimsuit issues is long overdue. But it’s disheartening that we still have to celebrate the inclusion of curvier women as if it’s a monumental achievement. We were told Lawley was the first “plus-sized” model when, in reality, she doesn’t even fit that mold.
Who even came up with the term “plus-sized” anyway? The average American woman stands at 5’4” and wears a size 14. So when The Huffington Post declared that Sports Illustrated made history with Graham’s cover, let’s be real—they just finally recognized the beauty that’s been around us all along.
Graham is not just beautiful; she’s conventionally sexy. Just take a look at her by the side of other cover models, like the fierce Ronda Rousey and the stunning Hailey Clauson. SI’s assistant managing editor, Mia Jordan, noted, “The three covers celebrate the new SI Swimsuit,” emphasizing that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Easy to see, right?
In a TED talk last year, Graham delved into her journey to body acceptance. She expressed how the label of “plus-sized model” made her feel like an outsider in the fashion sphere, despite her thriving career. “I felt free once I realized I was never going to fit the narrow mold society wanted me to fit in,” she reflected. “The fashion industry might persist to label me as plus-sized, but I prefer to think of it as my-sized.”
Graham’s message of body positivity is essential, but I can’t help but wonder if she wants to be known as a body positive spokesperson or just a model, like her slimmer counterparts. Regardless, her influence is crucial, as she champions a message we need to hear. “You know, people in the fashion industry actually told me that I would never be in magazines, let alone on their covers,” Graham said. Well, it seems she’s proven them wrong.
So, while SI might not deserve a standing ovation for finally opening their eyes to the beauty in diversity, Graham certainly does.
In case you’re looking for more information on this topic, check out our related article on terms and conditions. For a deeper dive into fertility journeys, makeamom.com offers valuable insights. Additionally, if you’re navigating the challenges of female infertility, Drugs.com provides excellent resources.
In summary, it’s time we move away from labels like “plus-sized.” Ashley Graham is simply gorgeous, and her presence in mainstream media is a refreshing reminder that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Let’s celebrate that!