The much anticipated 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue will be released on Feb. 9 and it will feature the first plus-size model in the person of Ashley Graham.
When the 2015 Swimsuit Issue hits newsstands on Feb. 9, plus-size model Ashley Graham will celebrate her curves in a sexy bikini by "Swimsuits For All," a swimwear retailer who popularized plus-size swimsuits.
"We are entering the Curvy Girl Era and when all eyes are on the bikini babes of Sports Illustrated, it would be a great time to have the conversation about the rise of the curvy girl," the magazine's spokesperson told PIX11 through an email.
"I know my curves are sexy and all I want is fror everyone else to know that theirs is too. There is absolutely no reason to hide and a thousand reasons to flaunt. The world is ready for more curves in bikinis," Graham shared in a press release.
This size 14, 27-year-old model has been vocal on the need for people to be open to curves. In fact, she penned an essay on The Edit to encourage every single woman on the globe to love their figures.
"I think that you could be healthy at any size and my aim is to help and educate all women on that. It doesn't matter if you're a size 2 or 22 as long as you are taking care of your body, working out, and telling yourself, 'I love you' instead of taking in the negativity of beauty standards," she expressed.
Plus-size models made a buzz in 2014; Candice Huffine appeared in the Pirelli Calendar, while the Penthouse Forum featured a plus-size model.