9 Photos Of Nicola Griffin That'll Make You <3 Her

Mature models have been around for quite some time. However, they are only now beginning to receive the praise they deserve, thanks in part to Nicola Griffin. According to New York Magazine, Griffin is a 56-year-old model and mother of twins. And she's starring in the long-awaited Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition as part of swimsuitsforall’s #SwimSexy campaign. While this may sound trivial to some — what’s the big deal about a mature model gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated in an ad? — it's actually a major leap for diversity in the magazine, with Griffin being the oldest model ever to feature in the swimsuit issue’s pages.

In a recent interview with The Daily Mail, Griffin said, “It’s not about being 20 and 5’10.” We’re bored of that!” And I couldn’t agree more. In the past few years, major designers like Celine and J. Crew have opted for models over the age of 50. Hopefully mature models and bloggers will continue to break into the sartorial scene even more.

While I am thrilled that Griffin will be appearing in the 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, I am even more thrilled for the impact it will make on the fashion industry. If you are a fan of Griffin's moxie and gorgeous gray mane, then scroll down to see some of her body positive and age positive photos that are sure to make you love her even more.

1. That Mane

Griffin embraces the aging process by letting her hair change in the way that it wants to. She told the New York Daily Newsthat she's allowed her "totally natural" locks to turn gray.

2. Holding Her Own

While Griffin might be decades older than some of the models she works with, she is just as stunning. Beauty is subjective, and Griffin knows as much.

3. A Healthy Lifestyle

From food pictures to workout ones, it's apparent on Griffin's Instagram that she likes to live a healthy lifestyle in a way that feels right to her.

4. Being A Mama

According to NY Magazine, Griffin, the proud mother of two, started modeling as a way to stay busy when her daughter's left for college.

5. Rocking Lingerie

Griffin was ready to shake up the conversation about age and body positivity as she posed in Victoria's Secret lingerie. And might I add that she looked amazing.

6. Killing It In A Bikini

Believe it or not, this is the first time Griffin has ever worn a bikini. In an interview with the New York Daily News, she said, "I’ve never, ever worn a bikini before in my life before. I have a little bit of a tummy but I've had twins. I'm real.”

7. Off-Duty Style

Griffin looks just as stylish in ad campaigns as she does in real life. I might even be taking a few tips from her off-duty model style as we speak.

8. A Natural Beauty

Griffin is just as beautiful now as she was 38 years ago because "beauty" is not a number.

9. Age Positivity

Griffin is at the forefront of age positivity, challenging the stigma surrounding the natural process of growing older.

I think it's safe to say that her Sports Illustrated ad is about to help change a lot of people's minds on that topic as well.

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Images: nicolajgriffin/Instagram; swimsuitsforall (1)