Major brands in the fashion and beauty industry are slowly but realistically closing the diversity gap in the industry. A couple of days ago, L’Oreal Paris featured an hijab-wearing model in its Elvive hair campaign, and now Revlon has announced plus-size model Ashley Graham as one of their beauty ambassadors to join Gal Gadot.
Graham, alongside Adwoa Aboah, Imaan Hammam, Raquel Zimmerman, Achok Majak and Rina Fukushi are the new Revlon Live Boldly campaign ambassadors, making it the first time a curvy model is landing a major beauty contract.
“Historically, curvy girls are not given beauty contacts,” Graham told WWD. “It’s kind of groundbreaking, because, in my generation of models, this hasn’t happened yet. This is one of those moments where I’m over the moon, I cried a little.”
As the 30-year-old model puts it, it’s really encouraging to see a brand like Revlon set the bar. “The average American woman is a size 14 and if you ask me, lipstick does not have a size.” It’s encouraging to see an iconic makeup brand like Revlon stepping up — it’s about time more companies followed suit.”
And also, even Adwoa Aboah applauded Revlon for the inclusive campaign, saying it’s a platform that embraces diversity. “Revlon gives us a platform that allows us to be accessible to all different types of women,” she said in a statement. “To me, ‘Living Boldly’ means being unapologetic, knowing no boundaries, being vulnerable, strong, authentic and yourself.”
