Ashley Graham takes on Photoshop claims: 'I was not slimmed down'

NEW YORK, March 30 (UPI) -- Plus-size model Ashley Graham is Maxim's first plus-size cover model, and has released a statement in defense of Photoshop claims from fans.

"I'm beyond proud to be the first curvy woman on the cover of Maxim. I was not slimmed down on the cover, and Gilles Bensimon did an amazing job capturing my true figure in all of the photos," Graham said in a statement to UPI.

"This is another major advancement for curvy women, especially those who work in the fashion industry who are working hard to get the recognition they deserve. I now encourage more publications and designers to put more diversity on their covers and runways. Let's continue to show that beautiful bodies come in different sizes and they should all be celebrated," she added.

Citing an unedited B-roll provided by Maxim, Graham and Capture Flow, reps point out her figure was untouched by digital editing software.

While both the curvaceous Graham and photographer Bensimon shared the magazine cover image on their respective Instagram accounts this week, the latter artist was the first to confront Photoshop claims as they came.

In response to a fan who said the cover is too edited, Bensimon claimed the image needed "(almost no photoshop) sorry to disappoint you."

"I shoot this image of Ashley,and we don't slimmer her at all!!! Sorry because you sound so convinced," the 72-year-old French photographer wrote to another online critic.

The image shows Graham practically naked save for a white dress shirt she holds in front of her body. The plus-size model stands in a pose which makes her shape less clear, prompting speculation from fans.

Graham, who told Maxim she is looking to build her own empire similar to Jessica Alba, Tyra Banks and other female celebrities-turned-moguls, also shared images from the magazine shoot. She uploaded not only the cover image, but also one where her breasts are covered by nothing but a married man's hands.

Another post shows Graham posing in a bathing suit from her Swimsuits For All collection, "to be launched in May," the model added.