Exclusive! Ashley Graham Walked NYFW in Just Her Lingerie — and She Was Flawless
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We've already seen Ashley Graham model her Addition Elle collection in print, but to see her work it on the runway is a whole different ball game. The model and clothing designer showed off her line during New York Fashion Week at KIA STYLE360 and chatted with us exclusively backstage about the experience of being both on the runway and running the show.
During the show, viewers were encouraged to use the hashtag #IAmSizeSexy on social media, a move that parallels Ashley's other groundbreaking projects including Lane Bryant's recent #PlusIsEqual campaign. Ashley continues to inspire and promote body positivity in the fashion industry, and after the success of her runway show, we can't wait to see what she's up to next.
So what was going through Ashley's mind when she took the runway in nothing but a bra and underwear? Read on to find out exactly what she had to say.
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On Taking a Bow at the End of the Show:
"It was amazing to come out and be able to come out as a designer and have everybody just appreciate all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into everything."
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On What Lingerie Is Sexiest to Her:
"To me, sexiness is about fit. As long as it's fitting correctly, then I know that it's gonna be the sexiest because first and foremost it's supportive."
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On the Lingerie She'll Never Design:
"Don't bedazzle anything. I think enough plus-size designers are putting bedazzles on my butt, and I don't want it anymore."
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On How the Collection Comes Together:
"It all really stems from what’s happening on the runway. The Addition Elle team all go to Paris. They look at what’s happening on the runway for lingerie. Then they go and they buy a bunch of samples, they come back and say, 'OK, what do you want to do with it?' And then we work on it together to build this gorgeous, gorgeous collection."
On the Feel of the Collection:
"The Fall collection that came out first is a little bit bondagey. It's a bit more strappy. There are a lot of geometric laces instead of your typical hearts and flowers and things like that. And the holiday collection, Black Orchid, it is a lot more, well, holiday — there's shimmer. There's a little glitter."
On Her Day-to-Day Style:
"I think that I'm sexy, comfortable, and chic, always. That's how I like to look at myself."
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