Ashley Graham Talks Taking Control, Appropriating Our Own Power in Madame Figaro

Ashley Graham Talks Taking Control, Appropriating Our Own Power in Madame Figaro

Top model and expecting mom Ashley Graham is styled in body con fashion looks by Julie Gillet. Photographer Jason Kim is behind the lens for Madame Figaro October 2019./ Hair by David von Cannon

The headline of Graham’s Madame Figaro interview with Pauline Castellani resonates: Ashley Graham: "I understood that my body had power" Graham’s acquired wisdom continues:

Ashley Graham Wears Summer Classics Lensed By Pamela Hanson For Harper's Bazaar UK July 2019

Ashley Graham Wears Summer Classics Lensed By Pamela Hanson For Harper's Bazaar UK July 2019

Top model Ashley Graham covers the July 2019 issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK, wearing a high-waisted, two-piece boy leg swimsuit. Leith Clark styles Ashley in classic summer clothes for images by Pamela Hanson.

Ashley Graham Sizzles In Sensual Dressing Lensed By Nino Muñoz For Harper's Bazaar Australia

Ashley Graham Sizzles In Sensual Dressing Lensed By Nino Muñoz For Harper's Bazaar Australia

Top model Ashley Graham sizzles on the April 2019 cover of Harper’s Bazaar Australia. Kristen Ingersell styles Graham in tailored but sensual cuts with both utilitarian and feminine details for images by Nino Muñoz ./ Hair by Serge Normant; makeup by Virginia Young

Ashley Graham Sizzles In Swim Looks Lensed By Ben Watts In Swimsuits For All SS2019 Campaign

Ashley Graham Sizzles In Swim Looks Lensed By Ben Watts In Swimsuits For All SS2019 Campaign

Model Ashley Graham delivers her sensual, powerhouse self in a new collaboration with Swimsuits For All. Lensed by Ben Watts, Ashley models sexy black and white swimsuits with names like Boss, CEO and Icon, posing with a joyful self-confidence that money can’t buy.

Ashley Graham Covers ELLE US February 2019, Talking A Marriage With Endless Sex + Faith In God

Ashley Graham Covers ELLE US February 2019, Talking A Marriage With Endless Sex + Faith In God

Ashley Graham covers the February 2019 issue of ELLE US, styled by Anna Trevelyan for images by Carin Backoff./ Hair by Ben Skervin; makeup George Sandev

Graham, now 31, has moved light years from her discovery at the Oak View Mall in her hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska. In the years since, Graham is widely known as an advocate for body confidence and inclusive sizing in the fashion industry. Graham blitzed into the 2016 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue as its first curvy model. After all, men notoriously prefer women with curves, right?

In her ELLE interview with Allie Jones, Ashley Graham makes it totally clear that she’s just getting started.

She’s launched her own podcast, "Pretty Big Deal;" has begun filming the feel-good talk show "Fearless," for Ellen DeGeneres’s digital network; and has become the newly minted host as well as an executive producer of American Beauty Star, Lifetime’s reality-competition show that pits top hair and makeup artists against each other in a series of challenges, à la Project Runway. “There was only one person we wanted to host the new season of American Beauty Star, and that was Ashley Graham,” says Gena McCarthy, executive vice president and head of programming for Lifetime Unscripted and FYI. “Her charisma and confidence are unmatched, and her infectious personality is always inspiring.” Graham’s co–executive producer Ross Elliot sums it up thusly: “It’s the Oprah factor.”

Eye: Dear Helena, Ashley, Chiara, Monica + | In Posing For Dolce & Gabbana Sp 2019 Campaign, Do You Give The Brand Cover?

Eye: Dear Helena, Ashley, Chiara, Monica + | In Posing For Dolce & Gabbana Sp 2019 Campaign, Do You Give The Brand Cover?

Some of AOC’s favorite models and talents led by Helena Christensen, Ashley Graham, Monica Belluci, Eva Herzigova, Karen Elson, Chiara Scelsi and more are supported by photographers including Angelo Pennetta, Luca & Alessandro Morelli, Giuseppe Tornatore, Branislav Simoncik, Franco Pagetti, Bruce Gilden and Alex Majoli in celebrating Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2019 ad campaign.

Complicity Among Creatives

We don’t have the answers to any key questions around the participation of these creatives in the Dolce & Gabbana campaign — except to say that we wouldn’t participate in the campaign in any way. That’s a tough decision to make in a world that feels increasingly politically correct, a world where disagreement and debate is not tolerated by either demanding progressives or right-wing conservatives. So unlike many voices, AOC won’t criticize talents using their gifts on behalf of the Dolce & Gabbana brand.

Caught in our own concerns about the intolerance of politically-correct, progressive demands, we also acknowledge the reality of a world marching towards intolerance generally. This right-wing intolerance derides women’s rights or even our intelligence, gay rights, protecting the environment and a host of other values that the fashion industry theoretically embraces.

Ashley Graham + Paloma Elsesser Front 'Curves Ahead' By Cass Bird For V116 Winter 2018

Ashley Graham + Paloma Elsesser Front 'Curves Ahead' By Cass Bird For V116 Winter 2018

IMG models Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser are styled in high-voltage ‘80s ‘high-fashion cheekiness’ by Stella Greenspan in ‘Curves Ahead’, lensed by Cass Bird for V116 Winter 2018.

Ashley Graham Is 'The Superb' Earth Goddess Lensed By Lachlan Bailey For Vogue Paris November 2018

Ashley Graham Is 'The Superb' Earth Goddess Lensed By Lachlan Bailey For Vogue Paris November 2018

The November 2018 issue of Vogue Paris got the title right for this Ashley Graham editorial: ‘The Superb’. In a VP editorial that reminds me of years past, Graham is styled by Anastasia Barbieri in pastoral images by Lachlan Bailey that rock a message of Graham’s organic, earth goddess sensuality. Gaia, we SEE you!! Gorgeous! / Hair by Rudi Lewis; makeup by Stéphanie Kuntz

Ashley Graham Is Lensed By Giampaolo Sgura In Violeta by Mango Fall Winter 2018 Campaign

Ashley Graham Is Lensed By Giampaolo Sgura In Violeta by Mango Fall Winter 2018 Campaign

Model Ashley Graham fronts Violeta by Mango’s Fall Winter 2018 campaign. Empowered by the statement ‘I Am What I Am’, Ashley is lensed by Giampaolo Sgura in three different collections including dressy, casual and sporty looks.

Peter Lindbergh Shoots Amber, Anna, Joan & Ashley In David Yurman Fall 2018 Campaign

Peter Lindbergh Shoots Amber, Anna, Joan & Ashley In David Yurman Fall 2018 Campaign

In his first campaign as Chief Creative Officer, Evan Yurman commissioned longtime David Yurman collaborators Peter Lindbergh, Alex White, and David Lipman for a campaign that captures the beauty in everyday moments of life.

Shot at the iconic GoldenEye Resort in Oracabessa, Jamaica, the campaign stars returning David Yurman model Amber Valletta, as well as Anna Ewers, Joan Smalls, and newcomers to the brand Ashley Graham, Meghan Roche, Florence Clapcott, and Cobi. The diverse group of seasoned and new models were chosen to reflect who the David Yurman client is at different stages in their lives in those everyday moments.

Amber Valletta and Peter Lindbergh were joined by Patti Hanson in the first David Yurman lifestyle campaign in 2001.

Ashley Graham Says 'I'm Everywoman' In Alexi Lubomirski Images For Harper's Bazaar UK August 2018

Ashley Graham Says 'I'm Everywoman' In Alexi Lubomirski Images For Harper's Bazaar UK August 2018

Top model Ashley Graham covers the August 2018 issue of Harper's Bazaar UK. Alexi Lubomirski flashes Ashley in feminine froth and glittering fabrics from Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Galvan, Prabal Gurung and more, styled by Miranda Almond./ Makeup by Gucci Westman; hair by Miki

Images by See Management for Miki

Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser by Miguel Reveriego for Vogue Arabia July/August 2018

Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser by Miguel Reveriego for Vogue Arabia July/August 2018 AOC Style Photos

Vogue Arabia’s July/August 2018 issue delivered a ‘Body Revolution’ fashion story inspired by the sea. Top model Ashley Graham — who was then the 10th highest-paid model in fashion — was joined by rising model Paloma Elsesser.

The two femmes were photographed in New York by Miguel Reveriego, and styled by Anya Ziourova like two modern mermaids rising from the sea. / Hair by Rolando Beauchamp; makeup by Morgane Martini

Ashley & Mom Linda Graham Enjoy Morocco In Swimsuits For All 2018 Resort Collection

Ashley & Mom Linda Graham Enjoy Morocco In Swimsuits For All 2018 Resort Collection

Ashley Graham returns with a new Ashley Graham x Swimsuits for All collection, and she's not alone. Ashley's mom Linda Graham joins her daughter in the new campaign "Power of the Journey', documenting their mutual journey to self-confidence and "true happiness". The duo models Ashley's Resort 2018 on location in Agadir, Morocco

Ashley credits her mom as the person who “has played a vital role in developing my confidence," she said in a statement.

"She promoted body positivity in our household before it was a movement," Ashley continued. "Her feel-good attitude toward her own body has shaped my ability to remain positive and self-assured. I could not think of anyone better to join me in celebrating beauty of all shapes and sizes in this campaign. Plus, she's hot and looks incredible in the suits!"

Ashley Graham Goes BOLDLY Into The Style Moment, Lensed By Ben Hassett For V Magazine #111

Ashley Graham Goes BOLDLY Into The Style Moment, Lensed By Ben Hassett For V Magazine #111

Model Ashley Graham makes a vivid impression, breaking the mold in the most striking accessories and makeup looks of the moment styled by Anna Trevelyan. Photographer Ben Hassett is the visual maestro behind the lens for V Magazine #111 Spring 2018.

Ashley Graham Talks Her Size On CBS Sunday Dec. 3, 2017, Lensed By Ralph Wenig For Grazia Italy Nov. 30, 2017

Ashley Graham Talks Her Size On CBS Sunday Dec. 3, 2017, Lensed By Ralph Wenig For Grazia Italy Nov. 30, 2017

Model Ashley Graham covers the November 30, 2017 issue of Grazia Italy, styled by Michele Bagnarain figure-hugging daytime looks lensed by Ralph Wenig. 

Graham is in the news, telling CBS Sunday Morning on Dec. 3, 2017 -- and not for the first time -- that she doesn't like the word 'plus size' and she would obliterate from fashion vocab if she could. 

"I think the word 'plus-size' is so divisive to women," she said in the interview. "I think that when you use the word 'plus-size' you're putting all these women into a category: 'You don't eat well.' 'You don't work out.' 'You could care less about your body.' 'You're insecure.' 'You have no confidence.'

"And that is none of this," she said, pointing to her body.

Patrick Demarchelier Eyes Ashley Graham & Co For W Magazine January 2018

Patrick Demarchelier Eyes Ashley Graham & Co For W Magazine January 2018

Anyone who insists that the faces of fashion remain cookie-cutter models is dead wrong. In fact, we should acknowledge that the industry is changing and not focus on grievance after grievance w/o agreeing that change is in the air.

W Magazine presents Ashley Graham, Faretta Radic, Ellen Rosa, Jocelyn Corona, Riley Ticotin, Faith Lynch, Callie Dixon, Imaan Hammam, Kesewa Aboah, Vie Chidiac, Jasmine Daniels, & Rubina Dyan as front and center 'Mighty Aphrodites', styled by Katie Grand in resort 2018 looks for images byPatrick Demarchelier. / Makeup by Diane Kendal; hair by Akki

Thomas Whiteside Eyes Susan Sarandon, Ashley, Alek +Beth For Elle UK's November 2017 'Wonder Women' Issue

Thomas Whiteside Eyes Susan Sarandon For Elle UK's November 2017 'Wonder Women' Issue

'Feud' star Susan Sarandon, who will return to FX in 2018 for a second season in her role of Bette Davis facing off against Hollywood legend Joan Crawford, played by Jessica Lange, covers the November cover of Elle UK's 'Wonder Women' issue. Sarandon joins Ashley Graham, Beth Ditto and Alek Wek as a group of women who span different generations and backgrounds. 

Solange Franklin styled Sarandon in selects from Celine, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Thom Browne and more for studio portraits by Thomas Whiteside.

Matt Jones Captures Ashley Graham In Summer Escape For Elle France July 14-20, 2017

Matt Jones Captures Ashley Graham In Summer Escape For Elle France July 14-20, 2017

Top model Ashley Graham is styled by Diane Boulenger in at ease, south of France looks, lensed by Matt Jones as 'Lovely Lady' for Elle France July 14th-20th 2017./ Hair by Andrew Fitzsimons; makeup by Allan Avendano