Ashley Graham style file: we chart the model's sartorial history as Vogue reveals some designers 'flatly refused' to dress their curvy cover star

The 28-year-old also recently revealed her desire to be cast for Victoria's Secret

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Charlie Teather19 December 2016

A 'plus-size' icon who hates the term 'plus-size', Ashley Graham has long been an ambassador for fuller-figured women in the fashion industry.

Landing the coveted cover of Vogue's January issue, the 28-year-old model has ended 2016 at the peak of her career. But this latest accolade wasn't without it's obstacles.

Speaking in her January Editor's letter, Alexandra Shulman revealed that French fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier’s cover and story, styled by Clare Richardson, was rejected by a number of fashion houses who "flatly refused to lend their clothes".

"It seems strange to me", Shulman wrote, "that while the rest of the world is desperate for fashion to embrace broader definitions of physical beauty, some of our most famous fashion brands appear to be travelling in the opposite - and, in my opinion, unwise - direction."

Thankfully the attutide of these unnamed brands was not shared by Coach, who "moved speedily to provide clothes that had to come from outside their sample range".

Addressing this topic of the representation of fuller-figured women, Ashley Graham was approached this week by TMZ who asked whether she thought Victoria's Secret - who staged their annual extravaganza in Paris last week for the first time - needed "more 'plus-size' models represented in these sort of shows."

"Oh yeah", she responded. "I mean, when Victoria's Secret calls me and asks me to be on their runway I'm gonna say yes."

Victoria's Secret 2016 Fashion Show - In pictures

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When asked why she thought it was that they haven't asked her yet, she admitted that she didn't know and said to the camera: "Victoria's Secret I'm here for you."

Flick through our gallery at the top to see some of Ashley Graham's style highlights

Follow Charlie Teather on Twitter @charlieteather

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