Plus-size model Ashley Graham has redefined the meaning of model and beauty by working tirelessly to challenge expectations and broaden the fashion industry’s view of beauty.
And her message of body positivity is more apparent than ever in her most recent photo shoot with Italian Vogue.
Sharing a glimpse of the lingerie shoot set to appear in the magazine’s The Celebration Issue, Graham shared a series of black and white images on her Instagram, each with a different caption.
In one she thanked the “amazing” team at Italian Vogue alongside an image of her showcasing a fierce cat-eye, and for another, she posed in a leopard print bodysuit by Dolce & Gabbana with the caption, “When they don’t retouch you.”
Commenting on the shoot, which was for Vogue Italia’s Beauty Beyond Size feature, the magazine wrote, “Ashley pushes the idea of body positivism to another level.
“It’s not just about acceptance: it’s about loving who you are and being loved, feeling so comfortable with yourself that you skilfully conduct the sophisticated game of attraction, going beyond convention, sizes, categories, and measurements imposed by modern society.”
“The rules of this game are self-esteem, confidence and imagination. It’s not just acceptance, but a form of love for yourself, which is most important.”
Unsurprisingly, the images have been well-received with a flood of supportive comments from the model’s five million-plus followers.
“No retouch needed, absolutely stunning,” one person wrote.
Another added, “Thank you for reminding the world what real beauty is.”
