Plus-size models put waifs on the back burner
LONDON: Since Kate Moss first appeared in a Levi’s campaign in 1991, the trend in fashion has been for a waif-like body.
But in the past few years, a new breed has started to creep into the world of fashion – the plus-size star.
In the past eight weeks, a UK size 16 model has posed for the first time in the Swimwear Issue of Sports Illustrated, and 2015’s Pirelli calendar featured a UK size 18 model.
The arrival of the plus-size woman has been heralded as a new era for the average woman, who would prefer to see their favourite clothing store showcase their items on a body they can relate to.
The affection from the public is forcing the fashion industry to take notice as people flock in their hundreds of thousands to follow their favourite turvy female on social media, making them an advertiser’s dream.
Several names have started to shine extra bright from this new category, including outspoken body image campaigner Ashley Graham and UK size 22 star Test Holliday.
Toccara Jones: 127k Twitter followers, 86.8k Instagram, 294 470 likes on Facebook, size 10 (UK size 14)
Jones has many strings to her bow – she is a model, actress, singer and TV presenter. The 33-year-old first shot to fame after coming seventh on the third series of America’s Next Top Model.
Since leaving the programme, she has featured in several magazines, including Vogue Italia, Be, The Next Level Magazine, Black Men magazine, Black Hair magazine, Braids magazine, Plus Model Magazine and Ebony.
She also has numerous ad campaigns under her belt, including Avon, New York and Company, Target, Alice & Olivia, Rocawear and Evans. The star also released a workout DVD, Toccara’s Fabulous Work-Out for Real Size Women.
She told dailyvenusdiva.com: “It bothers me when I hear plus size models who feel bad about the term plus size. We’re special, we represent the average sized American woman – we are beautiful, bold and more.”
Robyn Lawley: 26.4k Twitter followers, 122k Instagram, 81 949 likes on Facebook, size 12 (UK 16)
Lawley is one of the most famous plus-size models in the world. Hailing from Sydney, Aus- tralia, the 25-year-old made history this year for becoming the first plus-size model to start in the Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated.
She worked as a model at the age of 17 but was unable to maintain the super slim figure required and signed to a plus-size agency called Bella Model Management at 18.
Since 2011, her career has really hit its stride, starting with the famous Vogue Italia cover where she posed alongside fellow plussize models Tara Lynn and Candice Huffine in June 2011.
Since then she has posed for a range of high-profile magazines.
Speaking of her appearance in the Sports Illustrated magazine, Lawley told The Today Show: “When I first started I had an immense hate for my body, I held it really accountable for holding me back. I just felt disappointed, you know, I was like ‘Why didn’t I get a skinny body?’ “
Ashley Graham: 28k Twitter followers, 247k Instagram, 57 404 likes on Facebook, size 14 (UK size 18). Last year was Graham’s year, and 2015 is only going to see the American model’s popularity increase.
The 27-year-old, who was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, is the new face of plus-size British clothing chain Evans, and last month became the first plus-size woman to feature in an advert in the Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated when the shop ran a large picture of her in a bikini in the publication.
In October, Graham launched her own 19-piece lingerie range for plus-sized online retailer Navabi, with bras starting at 36DD and going up to 44E.
She also has a big online presence and regularly champions turvy women. – Daily Mail