Sorry Ashley Graham: Robyn Lawley Is ‘Sports Illustrated’s’ First Plus-Size Model
Size 16 model Ashley Graham stole the spotlight away from model Robyn Lawley. Earlier this week, she was dubbed as the first plus-size model to feature in an ad in the pages of Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit issue. But the real award goes to Robyn Lawley. This model received the honor of becoming Sports Illustrated’s first plus-sized model to be featured in an editorial spread.
Lawley, 25, is a native of Australia. She’s technically considered “plus-size” in the fashion industry, according to Fox News. Lawley is 6 foot, 2 inches and is a U.S. size 12. The model looks pretty slim and average to most people.
Robyn was featured in the “Rookies” section of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The sexy model wore a snake print bikini that was created from her own swimwear line. Robyn doesn’t just model bikinis, she designs them too.
Lawley isn’t sure if she should earn the title as the first plus-size model. She told Time magazine that she just hopes to empower women.
“I don’t know if I consider myself as a plus-size model or not. I just consider myself a model because I’m trying to help women in general accept their bodies.”
On Wednesday, plus-size swimwear brand Swimsuits For All announced that it would take out an ad in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The company said it would make Ashley Graham the first plus-size model to appear in the pages of the magazine. Sports Illustrated took it further and tapped Robyn as one of its 2015 Rookies, making her the first plus-size model to officially appear in the Swimsuit Issue.
Lawley was happy to hear the news of her Sports Illustrated spread. She took to Twitter and Instagram to share her excitement with her fans. She Tweeted, “Ahhhhhhh I’m beyond ecstatic to join the amazing @si_swimsuit family!!!!”
Rookie number 6 so happy and excited to be apart of @SInow @SI_Swimsuit pic.twitter.com/lbb7OvOb2N
— robyn Lawley (@Robynlawley) February 5, 2015
Robyn also said on Instagram, “If someone told me at the beginning of my career that this would happen I would of said ‘tell em his dreamin’ haha! Thank you @mj_day@jamesmacari @ja_neyney @darciebaum and the whole SI awesome peeps for embracing who I am in the 2015 issue!!!!!”
Lawley is a model who’s represented by Willhelmina Models. She has been featured on the covers of Vogue Italia, Elle France, and Australian Vogue. Lawley has also modeled in high-fashion campaigns for Mango and Ralph Lauren.
Last year, Robyn Lawley made headlines when she posted a nude selfie on Instagram. According to a report on the Inquisitr, she shared the photo to protest the controversial coal mining project in Australia.
Hannah Davis is the model who got to snag the cover of the Sports Illustrated 2015 Swimsuit Issue. The photo shows the model in a barely there crochet bikini. It was dubbed as one of the most revealing photos of all time, according to E! News.
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue hits newsstands on Feb. 9.
[Image: Sports Illustrated]
