It feels like major developments in body positivity are on the horizon: Last week, #effyourbeautystandards founder Tess Holliday was signed by MiLK Model Management and this morning, it was announced that Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit issue will feature its first ever plus-size model. There's only one problem with the latter: SI didn't cast the model, but rather allowed swimwear brand Swimsuits For All to place an advertisement starring plus-size model Ashley Graham.
Sports Illustrated is a brand based upon living a healthy, active life, and their annual Swimsuit Issue historically features many curvy (albeit still slim) women like Tyra Banks, Christie Brinkley, Carol Alt, and most recently, Kate Upton. And while other magazines, especially fashion magazines (NYLON included), have not made great strides in casting more full-figured women in editorials, SI has a great opportunity to feature beautiful women of all shapes and sizes. After all, the Swimsuit Issue is inarguably founded upon sex and there should never be just one way to be sexy.
That being said, the idea of a "plus-size model" is a bit disconcerting, as by industry standards, it simply means that the model is above a size 2. This makes it so that many—like Myla Dalbesio and, at times, Crystal Renn—are below-average size (in 2010, the average size for an American woman was a size 14). At the other end of the spectrum, many believe that showcasing obese men and women promotes living an unactive, unhealthy lifestyle.
The "plus-size" model is a relatively new concept and the idea of the "perfect body" is constantly evolving, so we say it's time to start showcasing vastly different bodies in a positive light. As Graham said in a press release, "I know my curves are sexy and I want everyone else to know that theirs are too. There is no reason to hide and every reason to flaunt. The world is ready for more curves in bikinis."