Plus size model and “advocate for beauty of all shapes and sizes” Ashley Graham recently revealed that she will be featured in Sports Illustrated’s upcoming Swimsuit 2016 Rookie Class, and will be appearing in a series of ads for Lane Bryant’s new body positive campaign.
Graham, 28, took to Instagram to share the news alongside one of the sexy photos from her recent pictorial.
“It’s official – I’m a @si_swimsuit model!! This is a dream come true,” Graham wrote. “Thank you to everyone who stood up for curves- our voices were heard and together we can help me win Rookie of the Year.”
“Stay tuned for voting instructions #beautybeyondsize #siswim,” added the model.
The image has already earned over 28,000 likes. Fans who were inspired by Ashley Graham have also expressed their gratitude for advocating a positive body image for plus-sized women.
Graham will be featured in a series of ads for Lane Bryant alongside plus-size fashion celebs Denise Bidot, Georgia Pratt, Tara Lynn, and Precious Lee. The series of ads aims to encourage women to be confident with their own curves.
“Thank you to everyone who stood up for curves” Plus-size model gets Sports Illustrated gig https://t.co/NrCSG1eRIi pic.twitter.com/f7zAL9UnpG
— CNN (@CNN) February 10, 2016
The new campaign for the brand has become a platform for the models to tell the world what their bodies are made for. In an interview with Refinery 29, Graham revealed that she believes her body is made to “start a revolution.”
“My body is for starting a revolution,” the new member of SI Swimsuit 2016 Rookie said. “I realized I could use my career as a model to create change and disrupt the fashion industry, so I started calling myself a ‘body activist’ to help redefine society’s definitions of beauty.”
Ashley Graham Starred in Lane Bryant’s ‘Plus is Equal’ Campaign
Ashley Graham also appeared in Lane Bryant’s “Plus is Equal” campaign last September. Last year, she became the first plus-size model to be featured in an ad in the SI Swimsuit Issue.