Skinny models in bikinis have always been perceived as sexy and attractive. Sports Illustrated magazine always boasts of their size two models printed on their monthly covers.
Well, except for their recent one; a size 16 model named Ashley Graham, posed in a black bikini by the beach - and it's getting a lot of attention since she is indeed giving the plus size women proper representation in the modeling world.
Curious about her yet? Here are the five things you need to know about her as reported by People.
1. She's a professional model.
She's currently signed up with brands like Forever21 plus size activewear, NYDJ's "Fit to Be" campaign and Lane Bryant's #ThisBody campaign, to name a few.
2. She's got her own lingerie clothing line!
"My first [modeling] job ever was lingerie," she told Yahoo! Health. "My mom had to sign a petition that said they would airbrush my nipples out!" Not to mention that she was seen on the New York Fashion week runway wearing her boudoir collection!
3. Her TED Talk on body diversity was a sold out event.
She talked about her struggles, insecurities and resolves about her body image during her TEDxBerkleeValencia talk.
"I felt free once I realized I was never going to fit the mold that society wanted me to fit in," she said. "I was never going to be perfect enough for an industry that defines perfection from the outside and that's okay. Rolls, curves, cellulite, all of it - I love every part of me."
4. She is not a fan of the 'real women' label
"I like to use the word 'woman.' And I say that because there are so many women out there who are naturally thin, or are naturally curvy. I don't like to use the words 'real women,' honestly," she told Elle in February.
"I think when we start putting a label on the type of woman it gets misconstrued and starts to offend people," she continued. "At the end of the day we just all want to be known as women or models or actresses or whatever."
5. She is not your average image warrior
This girl got some balls! She joined Lane Bryant's #ImNoAngel lingerie campaign to dis the Victoria's Secret "Perfect Body" ads. She even posted her own version of Protein World's provocative posters with slim models as a sign of her protest.
