The catwalk has already realized the ideal of children. According to Vogue Business, out of 219 fashion shows in New York, London, Paris and Milan, only 17 brands featured plus-size models — a statistic that reflects the true lack of size diversity in fashion, and the fact that brands Refuse to accept female reality to consider body size. (According to a 2016 study in the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, the average American woman wears a size 16 to 18.) There is also a growing desire to portray someone who is “curvy” or “curvy.” curves” down. The “medium” range, usually defined as sizes 6-10. Although they are still considered “straight fit” (which partly means you can find your size at many retailers and brands), But many curvilinear models don’t fit sample sizes and therefore don’t qualify as plus sizes.
Despite many obstacles, plus-size and curvy models remain some of the most recognizable faces in fashion today. Ashley Graham has become a household name. British Vogue named Paloma Elsesser, Precious Lee and curvaceous model Jill Kortleve its “new superstars”; Yumi Nu was on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue. But even with increased visibility, there is still a long way to go.
“I challenge the fashion industry to never allow this sway until bodies and experiences like mine and others are no longer radical; , Elsesser wrote on Instagram. “I want to see women who are bigger, women with darker skin, people with disabilities, and the aliases many people have left in the media.”
Below, Vogue rounds up some of the industry’s most groundbreaking curvy and plus-size models. You might recognize her from the runway at New York Fashion Week or from the cover of your favorite magazine. If you don’t know their names already, you will soon.
One of the most prolific models of her generation, the 2020 Model of the Year winner has graced several Vogue covers around the world and walked the runways for everyone from Fendi to Alexander McQueen.
Graham became a household name thanks to her modeling talent and rising TV personality status. She made history when she became the first plus-size model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated and was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 that same year.
