The cultural definition of beauty has slowly started to evolve, and better late than never. The fact that Ashley Graham is now universally recognized as a household name speaks to such progress. And if you don't know who that is by now, well, you should fix that as soon as humanly possible. We're living in a time when people are (finally) holding brands and publications accountable and challenging what have long been considered the "classic" American standards of beauty, and I for one absolutely love to see it.
There is, of course, infinite amounts of more work to be done. However, it's reason enough for us to celebrate what we are seeing: more diversity and inclusion in the modeling industry than ever before. In order to keep pushing the needle forward, we must all collectively move away from qualifying these newer faces as "plus size" and simply refer to them as models. The first step to truly having a more inclusive landscape in beauty and fashion is by not having to make this qualification. It is almost as if by qualifying the term model with "plus," we are implying that the word itself means thin. The two are not mutually exclusive.
We must all collectively move away from qualifying these newer faces as "plus size" and simply refer to them as models.
Growing up, I relished researching Fashion Week shows to both see the incredible looks and learn anything and everything about the models that walked in them. I would regularly fantasize about going to the famous tents and sitting in the front row at a show. When America's Next Top Model premiered, my family had just moved to the suburbs of Connecticut. I naturally became obsessed with the show because I felt like I was getting fashion, excitement, and a little slice of what it really took to be a model all at once. I had enough self-awareness to know that (a) if I had to do any of the stuff that the girls on America's Next Top Model had to do for a gig, I absolutely would not last one day, and (b) I was never going to be skinny or tall enough to be a model, even if I desperately wanted to be.
Then season three introduced me and the rest of the world to Toccara Jones. It was a moment at the time because she was the first so-called "plus-size" contestant since the show's inception. When I think back to that day, I'm reminded that I had not seen anyone call themself a model that looked like her — or me — before that. What I saw on my 16-inch box TV was a confident model with a capital M. She made me feel like my soft body and big boobs didn't need to be hidden in the tragic oversize peasant top I was likely wearing to obscure my curves. For once, I felt seen — in a good way.
Years later, in July 2008, I remember picking up the now-iconic Black issue of Vogue Italia at my local newsstand. Within its pages was a spread of Toccara Jones shot by legendary fashion photographer Steven Meisel, and again, it marked the first time that I had seen a body like hers — a body that felt close to my own — in a fashion spread. At the time, images of curvy models were slowly popping up, but they were typically very standard and, it should be noted, very clothed. Not this. This spread was sexy, uninhibited, and, above all, absolutely gorgeous. For these reasons and more, it will forever occupy rent-free space in my mind.
And now, this new generation of models has elicited that very same feeling for me. Thanks to the advent of social media, we're able to see beyond their obvious physical beauty and gain insight into their personalities, a dimension that was previously only reserved for the world's top (and often thin) supermodels. I've taken the liberty of rounding up this exciting group of models — some who are making their indelible mark on the industry, some who are just getting their start, and some who are simply just being beautiful in the skin they're in.
FAQs
Researchers chalked it all up to simple cause and effect: The standards for body image and inclusivity are changing in the US, resulting in the increasing popularity of plus-size models, as well as the demand for surgical procedures that might give someone a plus-size body type.
What weight is considered plus-size for a woman? ›
Female measurements: Plus-size women working in modeling are usually a size 12 and above. Their weight should typically be between 161 and 205 pounds, with a chest size of 41” to 45”.
What size model is considered plus-size? ›
Plus-size modeling is generally a size 12 and up. Plus-size models are typically evaluated and cast based on dress size rather than body measurements. As a general rule, plus-size models are defined by the fashion industry as anyone larger than a size 6.
What percentage of models are plus sized? ›
These findings mark a slight improvement on AW23, where 95.6 per cent of looks were straight-size, 3.8 per cent were mid-size, and 0.6 per cent were plus-size.
What is the average plus-size? ›
When it comes to the fashion industry, "plus size" generally refers to clothing labeled size 14 and up in the United States, although this varies by brand and may start anywhere from size 12 to 18. In the UK, it's typically size 16 and up, and in Europe, the sizes usually begin at 44 and up.
Why are models so bony? ›
Many companies use skinnier models to advertise and wear their clothing because this presents an aspirational image to their consumers. They want people to buy their clothes because with these clothes they too, can have perfectly symmetrical faces, poreless skin and perfectly toned bodies.
What is the average weight of a plus size model? ›
What are plus-size model measurements? Plus-size models are usually a U.S. size 12 and up. Fashionuer reports that a plus-size model's weight should be between 161 and 205 pounds, with a chest size of 41 to 45 inches.
How much does a size 2X woman weigh? ›
Size Chart
| Size | Weight | Hips |
|---|
| 1X | 185 - 205 lbs | 42-45 |
| 2X | 205 - 230 lbs | 46-49 |
| 3X | 230 - 270 lbs | 50-54 |
| 4X | 270 - 325 lbs | 55-56 |
4 more rowsThe National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute indicates that a healthy weight for a woman who is 5'4" inches tall ranges from 110 to 140 pounds with a BMI of 19 to 24. A woman whose BMI score is above 25 falls in the overweight category and 30 and above falls in the obesity category.
What size is considered curvy? ›
Curvy refers to a waist-hip differential of . 75. If a woman has a waist size of 27 inches or less and a hip size of 36 inches, she is considered curvy. A hip size of 46 inches and a waist size of 34.5 inches or less is also considered curvy.
A size 6 is slim. Average (depending on which source you reference) is between 12-16.
Is size 12 fat? ›
Is a women's size 12 considered plus size or straight size? A size 12 is roughly the same size as a man's size 32 pant waist, so no, unless you are extremely short. You might look large, but for the most part, a size 12 is on the low average size in this day and age.
What size do most models wear? ›
Women fashion models are usually at least 5 feet 10 inches tall, and their waists tend to be about 10 inches smaller than their chest and hips. When it comes to dress size, it's usually 4 to 6 US, 6 to 8 UK, and 10 AU with a typical bust size of 34 inches.
Who is the highest paid plus-size model in the world? ›
1. Ashley Graham. Ashley Graham, one of the first curvy models to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated, has become a prominent figure in the fashion world. She has worked with major magazines such as Vogue, British Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and many more, and is considered one of the highest-paid curvy models in the world.
What size is Ashley Graham? ›
In 2016, she became the first size 16 model to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
When was being fat a trend? ›
At the turn of the 20th century, actress Lillian Russell — tipping the scale at 200 pounds — was a reigning sex symbol, with her photos displayed in many newspapers. Until the early 1900's, for a woman to have extra weight on her body was a symbol of beauty and fertility. For men, weight meant power.
What body fat percentage are most models? ›
According to Marc Perry, fitness expert and CEO of Built Lean, female models in shape for a shoot have a body fat percentage between 15 and 17 percent. Male models generally measure between 6 and 7 percent body fat.
Why did France ban skinny models? ›
The underweight model ban, first proposed in 2015, aims to reduce the instances of eating disorders within the fashion industry by imposing widespread health standards: In order to work, models must provide employers with a certificate of health issued by a doctor.
What happened to all the plus-size models? ›
There were noticeably fewer plus-size models cast in runway shows at New York Fashion Week this season. Theories as to why range from the return of Y2K style to the rise of diet drugs to designers favouring mid-sized models over their curve peers.
