Hint: Check out her pose
American Vogue has just released its March 2017 cover featuring a line-up of seven top models: Liu Wen, Ashley Graham, Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Imaan Hammam, Adwoa Aboah, and Vittoria Ceretti (from left to right).
While all the women are diverse in looks, they’ve all been styled in a similar way: black Prada turtlenecks paired with patterned bikini bottoms. But, there’s one obvious difference in the way one of the cover stars is standing – and it’s a difference fans are refusing to shake.
The cover shoot shows the models posing on a beach, bent at one knee holding each other at the waist – except for model Ashley Graham, whose hand is covering part of her thigh.
It’s not that it looks significantly out of place, but when you consider Ashley is a body positive advocate and is the only plus size model among the group, it’s a detail that has prompted some (read: many) to take to social media.
https://twitter.com/jess_barrett/status/829377717275602945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“Bit of a shame that Ashley Graham was the only model who had to use her arm to cover her thigh,” somebody tweeted.
Another commented: “Tell me I’m wrong #comeonnow #REALsubtle.
lmao @ ashley graham being the only one with her arm down to cover up her thigh. Tell me I'm wrong. #comeonnow #REALsubtle pic.twitter.com/v9FoTjbOz9
— directionless and irritable (@abbysrosen) February 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/chinremoval/status/829405539637592064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Whether or not Ashley’s been posed that way as a deliberate attempt at covering up her thigh, isn’t something we can speculate on. On the face of it, the magazine appears to be sending out a message in support of diversity, it’s undercut with an image that seems to be saying something entirely different.
Related video: Ashley Graham gives plus size a new name
