Honestly, if you haven’t heard the name Ashley Graham by now, you’ve probably been living under a very large, non-fashion-forward rock.
She’s basically the face of a revolution. But let’s be real for a second—calling her just a "plus size ashley model" feels kinda reductive at this point, doesn't it? She’s a mogul. A mother of three. A Broadway star. A woman who forced the world to look at a size 14 body and see high-fashion art rather than a "niche category."
I’ve been watching this industry for years. It’s usually pretty stagnant. But then comes 2016, and boom—Graham hits the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. People lost their minds. Some were thrilled; others were weirdly angry, which says more about them than her.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Label
The term "plus-size" is something Graham has a complicated relationship with. She’s famously said she prefers "my size." Why? Because labels like "plus" often imply "extra" or "not the standard."
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When you look at the data, the average American woman is between a size 14 and 16. So, technically, the "plus size ashley model" is actually the most representative person on the runway. It's everyone else who is the outlier. Funny how that works.
The Victoria’s Secret U-Turn
Remember when the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was the pinnacle of "thin is in"? Graham wasn't there. She actually called them out for years because of their lack of diversity. Fast forward to October 2025.
She walked that runway. Twice.
Actually, her 2025 appearance as a "Dark Angel" in Brooklyn was a massive moment. She wore these giant black feathered wings and a train that looked like it belonged in a gothic cathedral. She told PEOPLE magazine that she was initially hesitant to join the brand because of their history of exclusion. But after some serious heart-to-hearts with the brass at VS, she realized she could be the change from the inside.
She even joked about the initial wardrobe. They tried to give her these tiny little underwear, and she was basically like, "Hey, I’ve had three kids, can we get some more fabric here?"
That’s her brand. Relatable. Blunt. Real.
The Business of Being Ashley
It’s not just about looking good in a bikini. Graham is a legit entrepreneur.
- Revlon: She’s been a global ambassador for seven years. In 2025, she became the face of their ColorSilk line.
- Side Hustlers: She co-hosts this Roku show with Emma Grede, mentoring female founders.
- Authorship: From her memoir A New Model to her 2024 children's book A Kid's Book About Beauty, she’s literally writing the script for the next generation.
- Broadway: Did you catch her as Roxie Hart in Chicago? She made her debut in March 2025.
Her net worth is estimated at around $15 million as of 2025, though some reports suggest the "Ashley Graham brand" is worth significantly more when you factor in her various equity stakes and long-term deals.
The "Skinny Chic" Resurgence Threat
Here is the uncomfortable truth: fashion is fickle. Lately, there’s been a scary trend toward "heroin chic" or "ultra-skinny" aesthetics again. Critics like Michaela Leitz have noted that as the economy gets weird, brands often retreat to "safe" (read: thin) norms.
Graham isn't staying quiet about it. During the Spring/Summer 2025 New York Fashion Week, she took to Instagram to tell her 21 million followers that the lack of curve representation is real and it’s a problem.
She’s not just a model; she’s a lobbyist for body sovereignty.
Why It Still Matters
You’ve got to admire the stamina. She started at 12 years old. Discovered in a mall in Lincoln, Nebraska. She’s dealt with "plus size" divisions closing down, being told she was too big for editorial, and then being told she was "too thin" for plus-size modeling after she lost some weight through her holistic health journey.
She can't win with the critics. So she stopped trying to.
If you're looking to take a page from her book, start with the "affirmation" habit. She’s big on telling herself, "You are bold, you are brilliant, and you are beautiful." It sounds cheesy until you realize she’s used that mindset to break into an industry that literally wasn't built for her.
Moving Forward: What You Can Do
If you want to support the movement she started, it’s about where you put your money.
- Shop Inclusive Brands: Support labels like Marina Rinaldi, Addition Elle, or even the Gap (who she’s collaborated with via Zac Posen) that actually stock a full range of sizes in-store.
- Challenge the "Sample Size" Myth: When you see a brand only using size 0 models, call it out. The industry responds to engagement.
- Follow the New Guard: Look up models like Precious Lee, Paloma Elsesser, and Jill Kortlev. They are the ones carrying the torch Graham lit.
The "plus size ashley model" era isn't over; it's just evolved into something much more powerful than a magazine cover. It’s a blueprint for how to own your space when nobody wants to give it to you.
The next step is simple: stop waiting for an invite to the table and start building your own, just like she did.