Curve model Hunter McGrady [1] grew up hearing that she couldn't wear skintight clothes because of the size and shape of her body. When she got engaged, she wanted the "tightest, sexiest" wedding dress [2] she could find. Having recently been named the "curviest model ever" to have been featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, the 26-year-old curve model is paving the way for women who don't fit size standards. In fact, she recently became the first curve model to grace the cover of The Knot [3], which she used as an opportunity to start an honest conversation about the importance of diversity and size inclusivity in the fashion world [4].
"Everyone always told me my whole life, 'You're a bigger girl, don't wear anything skintight. We don't want to show off those curves. Don't wear anything covered up to here because it doesn't look great on your bust,'" she said in The Knot's Fashion Issue. "So naturally, I'm like, well give me the tightest, sexiest dress for my ceremony and then give me a high neck for my reception. I was like, I'm gonna go against the grain because I love those two things."
"I think we'll get there though, I'm very optimistic."
Rather than taking feedback from those around her about "flattering" her figure, Hunter made it a point to ignore others' perception of what a bride "should" be and get the dress that she loved. That dress turned out to be a curve-hugging Watters Bridal [5] gown in a mermaid style covered in shimmery lace.
While Hunter was able to find her perfect wedding gown, clothing options in general are still limited for curvy women in the fashion world, so she continues to use her voice to push for a greater level of inclusivity. "I still can't just go down to Soho or Fifth Avenue and shop," she said. "That doesn't exist for me yet — 70 percent of America is a size 14 or above."
Still, Hunter maintains a body positive attitude [6], which has been an inspiration for women with curve body types, and she remains hopeful that the fashion industry will expand its market to include the majority of women who are not being given the attention they deserve. "I think we'll get there, I'm very optimistic."
Hunter McGrady's Wedding Day
Hunter walked down the aisle in her lacy, curve-hugging Watters Bridal gown and a gorgeous floor-length veil.
Hunter McGrady's Wedding Photo Shoot
Hunter posed in her lacy cut-out Watters Bridal gown with a beautiful bouquet of pink and white roses.