#CurvesInBikinis: A shift in the industry

History has been made in the latest Sport’s Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, featuring a plus size model in an advertisement.

Swimsuits for All, a plus size online retailer, recently put out an ad in this year’s SI Swimsuit edition, and it looks pretty darn awesome. The ad features Ashley Graham, a gorgeous brunette, plus size, model. This ad breaks the stereotypes of how skinny is sexy and displays Graham embracing and showing off her size 16 body in a skimpy bikini and makes the bold statement that curves are sexy.

“Swimsuits For All helps women feel confident and sexy in swimsuits, and I am so thrilled to be a part of the #CurvesinBikinis campaign!” says Graham.

This campaign is different, and by advertising during SI’s Swimsuit Edition, I believe that this campaign will be successful too, perhaps leading to a gradual shift in the modeling industry.

Critics of the ad have made comments that a plus size model has no place in this particular magazine, stating how it only encourages an unhealthy lifestyle of “obesity”, however, Swimsuits for All definitely thought ahead, and made it known that Graham has launched a workout video series called The Curvy Fit Club, emphasizing that you don’t have to be skinny to be healthy.

This ad is a breakthrough, and will hopefully begin to transform the industry standards that diversity in all body types encourages women and promotes a healthier lifestyle. Because of where the industry is currently, women are being discouraged when they look in the mirror and seek unhealthy “diets” or surgeries that could ultimately make them look more “beautiful”. By advertising with plus sized women, the industry can show the world that women are beautiful just the way they are. Yes, it is important to eat right and exercise, but it should also be made known that there is not just one standard to what is deemed as beautiful.