Sports Illustrated: Plus Size Models Are Here To Stay, Get Used To It

The internet has erupted with sentiments of support — and rage — for Sports Illustrated’s use of plus size model Ashley Graham on the cover of their Swimsuit Issue.

What’s most perplexing is that both media reports and members of the public are suggesting Sports Illustrated’s move is ground breaking. Not so.

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Graham is the second plus size model the magazine has used in their annual Swimsuit Issue, the first one being Robyn Lawley last year. Furthermore, Graham is just one of many plus size models being used by large fashion magazines and clothing brands in a booming trend.

Whether you are ecstatic to see Graham’s voluptuous curves on the cover — or think it glamorizes fat people as former model Cheryl Tiegs argues — it doesn’t take away from the fact that plus size models are here to stay. You should expect to see more size 16 women donning your favorite swimsuit or jeans.

Below are just a few examples of major brands that have used plus size models in marketing campaigns over the past several years.

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H&M

In April 2013, H&M was one of the first major retailers to sport a plus size model in their newly released beachwear clothing line. Jennie Runk, 26, is featured wearing one and two piece bathing suits, wraps and summer dresses. Yet her appearance unleashed an outpour of reactions with several critics suggesting it promoted obesity.

Christian Louboutin

It was just last December when Christian Louboutin made history by becoming one of the first high-end fashion brands to use a plus size model. Following the lead of Marc Jacobs, the company featured 27-year-old French bombshell Clementine Desseaux in a series of Instagram photo ads.

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Target

In October 2015, Target featured their first male plus size model. Zach Miko, 26, is a hefty 6’6 height and is now the face of the “Big and Tall” clothing section. Miko says his debut on Target’s website boosted his self-esteem, which he admits he struggled with prior. It was only a few months earlier in June 2015 when Target released their body-diverse swim campaign with a group of female bathing suit models ranging from skinny to average to overweight.

Elle Magazine

Elle Magazine came under social media scrutiny in December 2013 for tweeting about their Q&A with size 12 model Leah Kelley whom they described as plus size. Several critics suggested that Kelley was simply not fat enough to be considered plus size, even though typical models are rarely larger than a size 4.

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What are your thoughts on the plus size fashion trend? Do you think companies should promote all body types or that plus size models glamorize unhealthy body weights? Share your opinions in the comments below.