Ashley Graham: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition Cover Girl

Who is Ashley Graham?
Ashley Graham, was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and discovered in a mall at the age of 12. Her natural beauty and effervescent personality led to her signing with an international modeling agency at the age of 13, launching her successful, diverse career. Ashley has worked in numerous areas of the fashion industry including editorial, catalogue, runway, commercial, television and film. In February 2015, she stared in #CurvesinBikinis, a campaign with SwimsuitsForAll that made her the first plus size model to appear in an ad in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit edition. In 2015 she also started in two highly publicized Lane Bryant campaigns: #ImNoAngel and #PlusIsEqual. 
​Ashley currently resides in Brooklyn, New York, and travels the world for various jobs. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Justin. 

Why is this important?
Sports Illustrated's first Swimsuit Edition came out in 1964 and this is the FIRST year to have ever featured a plus size model on the cover!  In the last few years, plus size issues are finally being discussed and brought to the forefront of American conversations.  

Was She retouched?
According to PeopleStyle magazine, Ashley claimed  “They [Sports Illustrated editors] did not retouch me,” she said. “They did not take out things. They didn’t reshape my body in any way, shape or form.”