Ashley Graham was the only name that sprang to mind for plus size models for quite some time. She broke down barriers in a society that, for far too long, placed an excessive emphasis on thinness, and she is now a household name.
The typical Australian woman is a size 12 to 14, so it's not a second too soon that things are changing these days. In addition to having millions of social media followers, these women—from Australians Robyn Lawley and Kate Wasley to the unrepentant Tess Holliday and true supermodel Paloma Elsesser—also make appearances on magazine covers, the red carpet, and the runway.
8 Inspiring Plus Size Models Changing the Industry
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Elsesser Paloma
Paloma Elsesser's career has only gotten better after she made an appearance on Glossier billboards and as the face of Fenty Beauty. She is one of the most prominent plus size models (plus size or not) in the industry today, having led campaigns for Marc Jacobs and Coach, walked for high-end fashion brands like Fendi and Chloé, and been featured on the covers of several fashion magazines.
Wasley, Kate
As one half of the Instagram pair @any.body_co, Australian model Kate Wasley gained notoriety on social media by sharing pictures of herself and her companion Georgia Gibbs to encourage body acceptance at any size. Shooting for Sports Illustrated and collaborating with companies like Bras N Things and Colgate, Kate has gained recognition on a global scale. She also discussed the necessity of true inclusiveness in the business, especially with reference to past Australian Fashion Weeks.
Pratt, Georgia
Model Georgia Pratt Holiber, who was born in New Zealand, began her career as a clothing designer before moving to New York in 2013 to pursue modeling. She has walked for designers including Christian Siriano and Tome, and she participated in the #PlusIsEqual campaign in 2015 for the US plus-size store Lane Bryant. Nearer to home, she has also done photo shoots for the New Zealand lingerie company Lonely, which is well-known throughout the globe for using unretouched photos of women of all ages and sizes.
Ferreira, Barbie
After sending pictures of herself to American Apparel, Barbara "Barbie" Ferreira, a former Euphoria star and model, began modeling. Barbie has made a strong name for herself in the fashion industry and is now one of the leading proponents of body diversity and the inspiration for Selena Gomez's closest friend, Petra Collins.
Kortleve, Jill
As one of the exclusive faces for Alexander McQueen's Spring/Summer 2019 collection and later as one of the few plus-size models to walk for Chanel, Dutch model Jill Kortleve gained notoriety. In fact, she was the first plus-sized model to walk for Chanel in ten years when she debuted with the brand in 2020.
Lawley, Robyn
Robyn Lawley is the most famous plus size models in Australia. She was the first to ever be included in a Ralph Lauren campaign and has been featured in some of the top fashion publications worldwide. She wrote an essay in 2013 criticizing the "thigh gap" fad as needless and harmful.
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Huffine, Candice
Candice Huffine, a former adolescent beauty queen, currently fronts high fashion ads all over the world after landing her first commercial modeling contract in 2000. She is well-known on Instagram, promotes body positivity, and owns the athleisure brand Day/Won.
Lee Precious
In 2015, Precious Lee became the first black curvy model to be featured in US Vogue, and she has since remained a pioneer in the modeling industry. The Atlanta native's fame is thriving after nearly ten years in the business. She has walked the runways for Versace, Moschino, and Michael Kors, and she has been in advertisements for Pandora and Kim Kardashian's SKIMS.
FAQs
Who appeared in Vogue as the first plus-size model?
Ashley Graham stands out among them. The 29-year-old model, who also calls herself a body activist, is the first plus-size model to appear on the magazine's 125-year-old cover.
What is a plus-size model's typical weight?
Women's measurements: Models that are plus-sized typically wear sizes 12 and more. They should normally have a chest size of 41" to 45" and weigh between 161 and 205 pounds.
What does a plus-size model mean?
Generally speaking, the fashion industry defines plus-size models as anyone who is larger than a size 6. Today, however, the majority of women who are considered plus-size models are a size 12/14 or larger, bringing the industry's definition of plus-size closer to the public's.
