IN THEIR PLUS-SIZE CAMPAIGNS
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and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for him throughout his modelling career.”
In the past five years, plus-size and curve fashion for women has become big business, with models such as Ashley Graham and Tess Holliday gaining mi l lions of followers on Instagram.
The world of male fashion is now following suit, with many high street and online retailers improving or introducing big and tall ranges and offering trendy garments for bigger blokes like Jonathan.
The care team manager, who is getting married in September, said: “There are very few places I can get clothes. I can’t shop in Topman, Superdry, River Island or Zara. I can’t even buy their socks as I have 20in calves and they don’t fit.
“My biceps are 18in and I’m 30in round my thighs so even their biggest sizes don’t cut it.
“Tops are the hardest as, even if I buy them big, they aren’t long enough in the body.
“At the moment, I only shop in Slaters and Burton and, although, there is more choice online, I don’t trust their sizing and only tend to buy shoes.
“Hopefully the increase in demand for plus-size male models will continue and more stores will introduce ranges to suit all body shapes as there are a lot of big guys like me out there.”
Jonathan, who has played rugby since he was 10, spent two years in Pensacola, Florida, wrestling under the name Jocky Saltire.
He said: “I saw an ad in a magazine saying you could train to be a prowrestler for $2500 under the famous Adrian Street. So, at the tender age of 17, I went over and wrestled as Jocky Saltire. I used to be able to do a back flip off the top rope.
“After a couple of back injuries, I decided to retire and came back to Scotland, where I got an HND in health, fitness and exercise and a PT qualification. I then studied sports physio at Scottish massage schools and worked as a sports therapist before becoming a care manager for a housing association.
“I kept up the rugby and now play for the Caledonian Thebans, who are members of the International Gay Rugby Association.”
Jonathan and Peter, who works in finance, have been together for five years and got engaged in December 2018. They are getting married at the Apex Hotel in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.
Jonathan said: “I’ll be in full kilt and Peter will be in a suit. We’re planning to have 70 guests during the day and 200 at night. We are the first gay wedding at that hotel, which is cool.
“2020 is shaping up well – I’m getting married, love my job, still play rugby and, on top of it all, I get to be Scotland’s most unlikely male model . Li fe’s pretty good.”
Nemar Parchment, 26, Brixton, London
The 6ft 2in fashion graduate, who wears a 2XL, has landed campaigns with Boohoo and Nike.
Brett Morse, 30, Penarth, Wales
The 19st Team GB discus
Morse thrower and multiple
British champion is the face of River Island’s Big and Tall campaign. Arcadio Del Valle, 30, Boston, Massachusetts In 2018, the 28st model, who wears 5XL, became the first plus-size male model to walk the catwalk at New York Fashion Week. Raul Samuel, 27, Hornsey, London
The 19st former science technician was signed as a model in 2017. Two weeks later, he was on a billboard for Boohoo Man in a London Tube station.