James Macari—Sports IllustratedRobyn LawleyRobyn Lawley, size 12, will appear in Sports Illustrated in a bikini from her own line.
Model Robyn Lawley was awake early Thursday morning, eagerly anticipating a career-defining moment: “I’m so excited, I’m dying — I’m dying!”
That’s because Sports Illustrated was announcing Lawley’s appearance in the magazine’s highly anticipated swimsuit edition. And while Lawley’s bikini-clad figure seems like a natural fit, her inclusion is historic. As a U.S. size 12, she’s the curviest model to ever appear in the edition, and she’s doing it while wearing a bikini from her own swimwear line. (Although the bikini in the above photo is by Montce Swim.)
While a U.S. size 12 would typically qualify as plus-size in the fashion industry — even though the average American woman is a size 14 — Lawley doesn’t like to focus on labels.
“I don’t know if I consider myself as a plus-size model or not,” Lawley, who is represented by Wilhelmina Models, says. “I just consider myself a model because I’m trying to help women in general accept their bodies. ”