Why Ashley Graham Thinks Not Much Has Changed for Size Inclusivity on Runways

The supermodel has been a champion for body diversity in the industry for decades.

Ashley Graham.Leon Bennett/Getty Images

Ashley Graham has been a trailblazer in the fashion and modeling industry for decades, and a true pioneer and champion for size diversity and inclusivity.

The model, mogul and mom of three, who shares her boys Isaac, Roman and Malachi with husband Justin Ervin, opened up about what she thinks about industry progress in recent years (or lack thereof).

“There’s still some designers that have said, ‘Sorry, we can’t, we’re just not going to design something for a bigger body,’” she explained. “Things have changed immensely in some ways and just have had a full stop in others and that is why I’m not going to stop talking about my body and dressing people of larger sizes because it’s not a norm yet.”

The 36-year-old is proud of the tons of new and upcoming designer who do want to create pieces in her size, but, unfortunately, the way the clothing industry runs makes it much more expensive to create items to fit and flatter bigger bodies.

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Graham occasionally pays for the extra fabric herself, so that designers whose only barrier is cost can have the opportunity to work with her and make strides toward equality.

“That’s not a negative thing by any means, but it still is just where we are in society,” the 2016 SI Swimsuit cover girl added while at an event for Good American’s open casting call. “If you look at the runways, not much has changed. If you look at designers, some of them are dressing different types of bodies, but it’s not the norm.”

Graham gave a shout-out to Emma Grede, who co-owns the clothing brand with Khloe Kardashian, as one of the big names in the industry who actually gets it and is putting in the work to create change.

“Inclusivity means seeing every single type of person being included. One of my main missions in life is to be kind to everyone and to bring representation of all different types of beauty—to normalize it to the fashion industry, to the world, to media...everywhere,” she shared in a video posted to the company’s Instagram account. “Good American and I, we resonate together because it’s all about authenticity, and it’s all about being who you are and being real.”

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