Model Ashley Graham has always been a spokesperson for body positivity for people of any size. The plus-size 30-year-old has been showing the world, one photo at a time, that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.
She has previously been on the cover of Maxim, as well as Elle, Vogue, and Glamour, and has modeled for many high profile clients, including Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Elomi Lingerie.
She’s been an advocate for curvy women everywhere, and even challenged Victoria’s Secret to include bigger women in their campaigns. Now, Graham has also created her own lingerie line for Canadian plus-size retailer Addition Elle.
Now, she’s totally rocking swimsuits as she promotes her latest collection by Swimsuits For All. However, there’s a catch. Instead of using the perfect lighting, airbrushing techniques, and computer touchups that are common with modeling shoots, Graham is going all natural.
Yes, that’s right. She is actually using the raw, unedited paparazzi shots of herself to promote this new line, and while she’s at it, she’s promoting body positivity, too.
Graham looks absolutely smoldering despite being able to see some cellulite or creases in her skin. She proves there is no need to smooth every blemish or disguise invisible fats bumps. Real women, with all of their flaws, are sexy. Full stop.
No one actually looks like those perfect, airbrushed models in the magazines, and it’s hurting people’s self-esteem and setting unrealistic expectations for both women and men. No one can live up to the glossy images in the magazines and it’s about time a model showed just how beautiful women are naturally.
Graham has been posting the images to her Instagram account. All of the swimsuits in the collection retail for less than $100 and have a chic retro style. The designs were inspired by 1920s fashion and the women who made history at that time.
“Introducing my latest @swimsuitsforall collection!” Graham captioned one of her Instagram posts featuring a sexy one-piece bathing suit. “We decided to use unedited paparazzi shots as the campaign images. Reminder: being authentic is beautiful.”
In a statement from Swimsuits For All, Graham added, “I hope these images instill a fearless belief in everyone to be happy in their own skin and enjoy living in the moment, no matter who is watching.”
Personally, I think it’s incredibly refreshing to see a real, natural-looking body advertising swimwear. It’s important to remember that the perfect beach body is anybody that is on the beach. No exceptions.
Graham’s swimwear campaign is sure to make a splash, as the new bathing suits are gorgeous and perfect for any sized woman to wear. There’s no fear of large breasts spilling out of teeny tiny tops. These bikinis and one-pieces flatter larger and smaller chested women alike.
While Graham always looks beautiful no matter what she’s wearing, this new campaign is both stunning and empowering.
