It would be safe to say that the rise of Instagram has coincided with the rise of the "body-positivity" and self-love movement. Since Instagram became a focal point of our daily lives, there have been a host of different models, bloggers and influencers who have risen to fame in order to inspire people to love the skin they're in and embrace their flaws. One of the most noted of these models is Ashley Graham.
Graham, who has become one of the most famous models on the planet, is an advocate of self-love. The model is known for her curvaceous physique and for being a pioneer when it comes to the quest to have unedited photos in magazine shoots.
Graham is also regarded as being an active voice in the quest for women to accept their cellulite. The model uses her Instagram account, which has over 6.5 million followers, to promote her message. One such post saw Graham reveal a photo from her Sports Illustrated magazine shoot, in which she was left unedited - showing what she looks like naturally.
Sharing the snap on her Instagram account she quoted lyrics from Kendrick Lamar’s hit song 'Humble' writing, “Show me somethin' natural like a** with some stretchmarks..OR cellulite.”
Over 80 per cent of women over the age of 20 have cellulite and Graham is trying to show them that it's nothing to be embarrassed about. On Sunday, Graham posted three side-by-side images of herself in a new swimsuit for her own line for inclusive fashion house Swimsuits For All.
The behind-the-scenes images showed Graham at all angles and plenty of her fans praised her for being "real" and showing off her "imperfections."
“She helps me realise my cellulite and hips are beautiful,” one person commented. Another added, "Thank you for normalising cellulite. It’s so unfair that women have to try to live up to impossible airbrushed standards thanks to mass media. I appreciate your body positivity.”
Last year, while on holiday in the Philippines, the model shared a similar snap, in which she posted a close-up shot of cellulite on her thigh.
“I work out. I do my best to eat well. I love the skin I’m in. And I’m not ashamed of a few lumps, bumps or cellulite … and you shouldn’t be either,” the caption read.
Speaking about her influence on others, Graham claims that she's not always been full of confidence and implores other women to look within themselves to find happiness.
"I haven't always felt confident in my body either," said the model.
"This is just a moment in your life and if you want change, it's not a pill that you take, it's not a boyfriend that changes your mind, it's not a family member - it's you.
"I always tell women, get down in your bra and panties, look yourself in the mirror and say 'I love you. Back fat you are my best friend. Thighs you are so sexy you can't stop rubbing against each other.'
"Start talking to those things that you don't really love and all of a sudden your mind changes. You're the one that has to do it.
"Confidence is in there, you just have to find the role model that is in you."
While she may be working in an industry that pushes unrealistic beauty standards onto women, Graham's message of self-love and acceptance should be applauded.