SALT LAKE CITY - Beauty isn’t one size fits all. That’s the idea behind the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. The magazine is breaking with tradition and featuring a plus-size model on one of its three covers.
Ashley Graham is the first size 16 model to grace the magazine's cover.
Graham says it's time society celebrates all body types.
"Now young girls have a celebrity, somebody they can look up to, somebody who is talking about their imperfections, their cellulite, their back fat. And you know what: There's nothing wrong with it," she said.
"I love it, she's beautiful, she's gorgeous, she's curvy," said Nicole Wimmer.
Wimmer is excited about the doors Graham is opening for plus-size models like herself.
She lives in South Jordan, but works all over the country.
This week she was in Arkansas for a photo shoot for Dillard's clothing store.
"I've worked with a lot of different companies," Wimmer said. "I did work with Kohls. I did runway show for Lane Bryant, Ashley Graham was in it as well."
Wimmer began modeling at the age of 14. She was 5'11 and a size zero.
"As I got older, my hips started to grow and I got a little curvier," she said.
She took a break from modeling, not sure if she fit into the fashion industry. Then seven years ago while working as a modeling talent scout, an agent convinced her to give plus-size modeling a try, and she has been busy ever since.
"I have my agency here, one in New York, one in LA and Miami and Seattle," Wimmer said.
Wimmer says Graham is blazing a new trail for young women and is steering the fashion industry in a positive direction.
"Because of the way things are changing in social media, and it's becoming more socially acceptable, there's a lot more clients that have started picking up plus-size models," Wimmer said.
