Sports Illustrated has made history with this year’s Swimsuit Edition, which was released on May 13. As is tradition, the special edition magazine was released with four different cover models. One of them was Lauren Chan, an Asian and Middle-Eastern plus-sized model who has become the first out lesbian to make the cover of the special issue in its 61 year history. In an interview with ‘People Magazine, Chan said:
“My whole career has been based on representation and inclusion. Although my career has taken different forms, the same North Star has been followed, and that is to represent people like me who have felt marginalized and left out to have them feel not just included but celebrated.”
Chan has been an icon in the fashion industry for several years, having created the plus-size clothing brand Henning, as well as having been an associate fashion editor for ‘Glamor’. She was also on the second season of ‘The Traitors Canada’. Sports Illustrated’s Editor-In-Chief explained why Chan was selected, saying:
“[Chan] is rewriting fashion’s narrative. As a model, activist, and entrepreneur, her ‘why’ is about making people think of beauty in a way that’s inclusive, genuine, and empowering. As a writer, she challenges the industry’s narrow standards, offering a new vision where all bodies and stories are celebrated.”
