Hooray for another queerstory-making moment in the model’s career
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGES VIA INSTAGRAM (@LCCHAN)
Back in 2023, Canadian model and entrepreneur Lauren Chan became the first queer plus-size model for Sports Illustrated. And now, she’s had another queerstory-making career highlight by becoming the first out lesbian to feature on a solo cover of the magazine’s iconic Swimsuit edition.
Speaking to People, Lauren explained that she shot the photo for the publication in March and didn’t know that it would be the cover. She was told later that she would be one of the four covers for the 2025 issue.
“I’m the first out lesbian on the cover — with her own cover — and how much that means to me makes that surprise feel so overwhelming,” Lauren enthused.
Inclusion is clearly a cause close to the cover star’s heart as evidenced by her work as both a model and the founder of Henning, a plus-size fashion brand.
“My whole career has been based on representation and inclusion, first for folks of size with my time as a plus-size model and fashion editor and plus-size brand founder,” she said. “Then once I started my journey with Swimsuit, it has become a lot about LGBTQ folks and the AAPI community, because I believe I’m also the first Chinese person on the cover of Swimsuit. So 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 marginalised and left out to have them feel not just included but celebrated.”
“Lauren 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…” stated editor-in-chief MJ Day.
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