Ashley Graham once said, “I’ve learned a lot about fashion through modeling, but you know what they say, mother knows best. She used to tell me, ‘Your shoes, bags, and belt better match before you walk out the door.’ I love her, but I don’t necessarily agree with that advice anymore!”
Her 2025 Met Gala ensemble perfectly embodied the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme, blending traditional menswear elements with sculptural femininity. Styled to command attention, Graham once again proved that structured tailoring and standout heels can be as impactful as a dramatic gown.
Ashley Graham exuded power and polish in a bespoke pinstripe wool gown by BOSS with structured shoulders and a boned bustier, completing the look with glittering Roger Vivier pumps at the 2025 Met Gala (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)
The supermodel, who stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175.3 cm) tall, frequently elevates her looks—literally and stylistically—with high heels.
While her footwear is sometimes hidden beneath sweeping gowns, Graham clearly understands the power of a good pair of shoes to complete a look.
Ashley Graham stunned in a custom Alberta Ferretti ensemble featuring sheer chiffon sleeves, cutouts, and a crystal-embroidered skirt at the 2023 Academy Awards, though her shoes remained hidden beneath the dramatic floor-length hem (Credit: Kyusung Gong / ©A.M.P.A.S.)
Ashley Graham has made headlines for her incredible work promoting body positivity and inclusivity within the fashion and modeling industries. In late 2016, fans criticized her after her Instagram photos showed that she had lost weight.
Ashley Graham turned heads in a dramatic strapless red Christian Siriano mermaid gown with a voluminous tulle skirt at the amfAR Gala Cannes 2022—though her shoes remained hidden beneath the sweeping hem (Credit: DDP / INSTARimages)
This mom of three gracefully juggles a full-time modeling career, advocacy efforts, and home life, and insists that she is authentically herself regardless of her size.
Ashley Graham’s Personal Life: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Love
Ashley Graham was born on October 30, 1987. She started modeling when she was twelve and has since faced scrutiny from agencies and brands due to her size.
During her 2015 TED Talk, she told the audience, “While most kids are going through their self-discovery stage in college, my self-discovery stage was in the midst of catwalks, catalogs, and casting calls.”
Ashley Graham dazzled on the runway in a futuristic, crystal-embellished sheer gown with a matching hood (Credit: Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock)
Finding Love in Unexpected Places: The Story of Ashley and Justin
Graham met her husband, Justin Ervin, in a church elevator in 2009, and they were married shortly after that, in 2010.
“The church we used to go to had themes. This Sunday, they had ex-porn stars talking to the congregation about how porn ruined their lives,” Graham told Cosmopolitan magazine about meeting her husband Justin Ervin on Porn Sunday.
Ashley Graham is a loving mother who gave birth to her first child, Isaac Menelik Giovanni, on January 18, 2020. Two years later, in January 2022, she gave birth to twin sons, Malachi and Roman.
Taking a Break: Why Ashley Graham Stepped Away From Instagram
Immediately following the birth of her twins in 2022, Ashley Graham took a break from social media and deleted her Instagram account for six weeks.
Like many celebrities, Graham found that the constant demand and excessive negativity of social media were doing damage to her mental health.
Supermodel Ashley Graham posed with husband Justin Ervin at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in a modern white asymmetrical Prabal Gurung ensemble, styled with pointed nude heels that elongated her 5’9″ frame (Credit: Milla Cochran / Startraksphoto)
After the birth of her children, she logged off to be more present and spend precious moments with her family.
Championing Body Positivity: Ashley Graham’s Impactful Modeling Career
Ashley Graham has been in the public eye as a model for a while, working with brands like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Hanes, and Target.
She was named Full Figured Fashion Week’s Model of the Year in 2012, and her advocacy for body positivity has always been at the forefront of her career.
Even when she was away from social media, Ashley continued to wow with her off-duty street style, often pairing laid-back pieces with elevated footwear choices like Adidas slides or sleek booties.
Ashley Graham leaves a Pilates class in black leggings, white socks, and Adidas slides on May 14, 2021, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)
In 2016, Graham was the first plus-size model to be featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and in 2017, she was the first plus-size model to be featured on the cover of Vogue.
Though Ashley Graham is considered a “plus-size” model by industry standards, she hates the classification and the term in general.
She told WSJ Magazine, “I think that when you use the word ‘plus-size,’ you’re putting all these women into a category. ‘You don’t eat well.’ ‘You don’t work out.’ ‘You couldn’t care less about your body.’ ‘You’re insecure.’ ‘You have no confidence.’ And that is none of this (pointing at her body)…The fashion industry may persist to label me as ‘plus size’, but I like to think of it as my size.”
Pregnant Ashley Graham flaunts her baby bump in an Enzo Costa dress and black booties on October 30, 2019, in New York City (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Graham has been known to publicly acknowledge photographers and brands for not retouching her photos and even told The Cut to enhance her natural cellulite instead of editing it out.
Navigating the Spotlight: Ashley Graham’s Response to Weight Loss Criticism
Unfortunately, when you make a career out of body positivity, it’s easy to attract people who scrutinize your every move.
Ashley Graham in a black Christian Siriano dress at the CFDA Fashion Awards at the Brooklyn Museum of Art on June 3, 2019, in New York City (Credit: Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock)
In 2020, Graham began to face backlash after pictures showed her looking smaller than before.
Commenters reached out to ask why the model had lost weight and claimed she was changing herself to conform to industry standards. Graham commented and replied, “People come on my page and body shame me because I’m too big, because I’m too small, because I’m not good enough for their standards. But at the end of the day, I’m good enough for me. Angles will make anyone look bigger or smaller and I just happen to know mine.”
Ashley Graham carries a vintage Chanel bag from What Goes Around Come Around and shows off her baby bump at the Savage X Fenty fashion show on September 10, 2019, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York (Credit: Media Punch / INSTARimages)
Graham advocates for the Health at Every Size movement and is enthusiastic about healthy living. She is a regular kickboxer and a healthy eater, and she consistently posts workout pictures on her Instagram.
What’s Next for Ashley Graham? Continuing Advocacy Beyond the Scale
Graham has made a career by promoting and supporting women in sizes 0 or 40.
Her advocacy is limitless, and even if she loses weight from regular exercise, she will undoubtedly continue to support the causes she holds dear to her heart and encourage the plus-size community to reach their goals and dreams as she has.
Ashley Graham embraced the camp theme at the 2019 Met Gala in a playful Alessandro Michele for Gucci blazer dress, styled with shimmering crystal-embellished tights and matching pointed-toe heels (Credit: Hahn Lione / ABACA / INSTARimages)
With the right mindset, success is unlimited, and Ashley Graham has shown the world that you are beautiful no matter what the scale, society, or outdated modeling standards say.
Ashley Graham put her size 10 (US) feet on display in minimalist black strappy heels, featuring a sharp pointed toe and delicate ankle straps that emphasized her statuesque frame (Credit: Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock)
From red carpet gowns to runway couture, Ashley Graham has consistently embraced bold fashion choices that celebrate her curves and confidence. But her style isn’t limited to solo appearances—she’s also shone in star-studded events that blend glamour, performance, and personality.
VH1’s Divas Holiday 2016: Star-Studded Comeback with Ashley Graham, Mariah Carey, and More
After a four-year hiatus, VH1’s Divas finally gathered your favorite ladies on one stage for the holidays.
Ashley Graham flaunts her boobs on the 2016 VH1’s “Divas Holiday: Unsilent Night” red carpet at Kings Theater, New York, on December 3, 2016 (Credit: WENN)
In December 2016, Ashley Graham was fortunate to rub elbows with Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, and Vanessa Williams backstage before presenting.
She flaunted her boobs in a burgundy velvet dress at the VH1 “Divas Holiday: Unsilent Night” at the Kings Theater in New York.
Ashley Graham flaunts her fresh pedicure in luxe Gianvito Rossi “Augusta” velvet sandals, featuring metallic gold piping, a double toe strap, and distinctive sculptural ankle ties (Credit: WENN)
Ashley hit all the right notes in her trendy outfit, wearing a velvet high-neck bodycon dress by Agent Provocateur.
The plus-size lingerie model finished her look with accessories from Milan jeweler Vhernier and velvet Gianvito Rossi “Augusta” sandals. At the same event, Mariah Carey turned heads in a custom-made hot pink fishtail gown designed by Michael Costello.
Ashley Graham showed off her curves and legs in a burgundy velvet bodycon dress by Agent Provocateur, paired with strappy metallic heels that added a touch of glamour to her VH1 Divas Holiday red carpet look (Credit: Dan Jackman / Ivan Nikolov / WENN)
Stepping Out in Style: Ashley Graham’s Most Memorable Fashion Moments
Supermodel and body positivity advocate Ashley Graham has consistently turned heads on red carpets and fashion events worldwide. Here are some of her most iconic looks:
Ashley Graham’s Red Carpet Mishap at the Time 100 Gala
- Event: 2017 Time 100 Gala
- Outfit: Ashley dazzled in a Nili Lotan satin gown paired with Jimmy Choo “Pearl 120” heels. Despite a minor stumble, she handled it with grace and humor.
- Footwear: Black satin Jimmy Choo “Pearl 120” ankle-strap sandals.
- Read more: Ashley Graham’s Red Carpet Mishap: Stumbling in Jimmy Choo Heels at the Time 100 Gala
Glamorous in White at the Miss Universe Pageant
- Event: 2017 Miss Universe Pageant
- Outfit: Ashley showcased her curves in a white Michael Costello embroidered-lace gown with a high neckline and long sleeves.
- Footwear: Silver ankle-strap sandals with sparkling embellishments.
- See more: Ashley Graham Rocks Multiple White Gown and Metallic Sandal Looks
Launching Her Lingerie Collection in Style
- Event: Holiday Collection Launch at Macy’s, Las Vegas
- Outfit: Ashley wore a sheer black long-sleeved bodysuit paired with a bra from her collection and a tight green velvet mini skirt from Balmain.
- Footwear: Stuart Weitzman ankle-strap sandals.
- Discover more: Ashley Graham Launches Lingerie Collection at Macy’s in Las Vegas
Shining in Sequins at the Sports Illustrated Event
- Event: 2016 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Ceremony
- Outfit: Ashley flaunted her curves in a two-toned sequin gown featuring a black embellished bodice and a blush pink skirt with intricate beading and fringe detailing.
- Footwear: Details not specified, but the look was completed with matching accessories.
- See her look: Hailey Clauson and Ashley Graham Shine in Sequins at the 2016 Sports Illustrated Event
These moments highlight Ashley Graham’s impeccable style and ability to make a statement at every event she attends. You can shop Ashley Graham’s gorgeous Gianvito Rossi “Augusta” velvet sandals at Farfetch.
Gianvito Rossi Augusta Velvet Ankle-Wrap Sandals, $929.68 – $1,145
Augusta sandals in blue velvet with striking gold trims and ankle tie
Strappy sandal in plush burgundy velvet with golden embroidered trims for an all-around striking look
Gianvito Rossi embroidered-trim velvet sandal with leather piping