It may only be April, but Ashley Graham is already having an incredible year. Graham was the first size-16 model to appear on the cover for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit issues and has taken that success and harnessed it for a new clothing line for Dressbar by Dressbarn.
The collection is called Beyond by Ashley Graham and is available in a plethora of different sizes, including petite, regular and plus so that it is wearable for all women. In addition to the line being available for all sizes, everything is priced under $65, making the line affordable as well.
"My collection for Dressbarn reflects my mantra - beauty is beyond size. I wanted to create something sexy and sophisticated and we definitely achieved that with these dresses. I also realized it was vital for me to partner with a company that shares my belief that all women - no matter their shape or size - should have access to well-made clothing that makes them feel confident and beautiful," Graham said in a press release.
Beyond by Ashley Graham features a little black dress priced at $56, a floral dress that also costs $56, a white and black color-blocked dress for $48 and a beautiful white dress that only costs $62.
"This is my first apparel collection, so I'm beyond excited about that!," Graham told Elle.com. "I've always been a 'dress girl' and really wanted to create a line that was sophisticated, sexy, and made women feel confident."
"I've been working with Dressbarn as a model for years, and I always admired how they offer fashionable and affordable dresses to women of all sizes," Graham continued in the press release. "It was important for me to collaborate with a company who shares my belief that beauty is beyond size."
While companies like Dressbarn are itching to work with the model, other's do not think that a plus-sized model should be in the spotlight. One of those naysayers is former model Cheryl Tiegs, who said she did not think it was "healthy" to put a plus-sized model on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
"I don't like that we're talking about full-figured women because it's glamorizing them because your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches]. That's what Dr. Oz said, and I'm sticking to it," explained Tiegs. "No, I don't think it's healthy. Her face is beautiful. Beautiful. But I don't think it's healthy in the long run."
Graham's line is available in stores and online now.
