Ashley Graham

IMG Models · New York

Early Life / Background

Ashley Graham was born on October 30, 1987, in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she grew up in a Midwestern family that emphasized resilience and self-acceptance. From a young age, Graham faced challenges related to body image, which later became a cornerstone of her advocacy work.

Career Development

Graham's career took off in earnest when she signed with Wilhelmina Models at age 17, relocating to New York City to build her portfolio. Initially, she focused on commercial work, appearing in catalogs and advertisements that catered to diverse body types.

Notable Work & Campaigns

Graham's portfolio is marked by pioneering achievements that challenged conventional beauty norms. In 2016, she became the first plus-size model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, a milestone that garnered widespread media attention and symbolized a shift toward body positivity in mainstream media.

Industry Context

Ashley Graham's rise coincides with a significant period in the fashion industry, particularly in the plus-size sector, which has grown significantly since the early 2010s. The market for plus-size clothing is projected to reach billions globally, driven by consumer demand for inclusivity and fueled by social media movements like #BodyPositivity.

Current Status & Legacy

Today, Ashley Graham remains a prominent figure in fashion, continuing to work with IMG Models from her New York base while expanding her influence through authorship and public speaking. She published her memoir A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Look Like in 2017, which became a bestseller and amplified her voice on self-empowerment.