Fashion

Ashley Graham Challenges 'Plus Size' In A TED Talk

by Augusta Statz

The beautiful and body positive Ashley Graham can be considered a role model for many reasons, and if you didn’t already think of her as an inspiration, you will after you see this. Ashley Graham gave a powerful TED Talk challenging what it means to be plus size in the fashion industry. She took to the stage with confidence and delivered a moving and thought-provoking speech that I hope will ultimately change the fashion industry for the better.

If anyone could totally redefine the word plus size and better yet, eliminate it entirely, it would definitely be Graham. Why? Because she’s been doing the impossible her whole life.

“People in the fashion industry told me I would never be in magazines, let alone the covers of them,” she said. “Well, I guess we’ve proven them wrong. Five covers in a little over a year.” Now how’s that for motivation?

Graham is working not only to prove the haters wrong, but also to show that “plus size” is an isolating term. “The fashion industry may persist to label me as plus size,” Graham said, “but I like to think of it as my size.” You go, girl! She owns her body like no other.

“I believe beauty is beyond size,” she said. And I couldn’t agree more. As acceptance of women’s bodies begins to change, it only makes sense that sizing should follow suit.

Check out her moving talk below.

Your move, fashion industry.