Plus-size model

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A plus-size model is a female fashion model who wears a dress size 12 or higher (in North American sizing). Plus-size modeling is growing, with agency divisions being created to specifically locate and develop potential models to serve the apparel industry. High fashion designers are also starting to look more closely at the earning potential from this sector of the industry and have started booking plus-size models for their advertising images and showings. Jean-Paul Gaultier and John Galliano both cast plus-size models in their Spring 2006 showings in Paris.

Emme (Melissa) Aronson is acknowledged as the first plus-size model to achieve widespread recognition in the United States, due partly to being chosen for a Revlon cosmetics campaign, as well as appearing nude in People magazine in 1997, and appearing on their 50 Most Beautiful People lists in 1994 and 1999.

Celebrities who wear plus-size clothing have increasingly been attracting endorsement contracts as advertisers seek to extend size-acceptance into the film, TV and music industries. One example of this trend is Queen Latifah who appears in on-going advertising for Cover Girl cosmetics. In Canada, well-known actress Christina Schmidt appears in the popular TV series, as a plus-size model, and currently models for Torrid.

Some people view the advent of plus-size modeling as a revival of the voluptuous Classical ideal of feminine beauty, as defined by sculptures such as the Venus de Medici and the Winged Victory of Samothrace--i.e., the aesthetic ideal that generally prevailed throughout Western history, until well into the twentieth century.

Models for plus-size clothing include:

Barbara Brickner
Charlotte Coyle
Sophie Dahl
Kate Dillon
Emme
Diane Hernandez
Lara Johnson
Syleena Johnson
Toccara Jones
Natalie Laughlin
Valerie Lefkowitz
Kimberley Locke
Crystal Renn
Christina Schmidt
Tracie Stern
Mia Tyler
Liis Windischmann

External links

Main U.S. plus-size model agencies (*password protected):

Model's own or fan-run websites:

[JudgmentOfParis.com] * Tribute to plus-size models, including image galleries, industry interviews, discussion forum
[Christine Alt]
[Barbara Brickner]
[Natalie Laughlin]
[Liis Windischmann]
[Tracie Stern]
[Lara Johnson]

Websites providing information for women interested in becoming plus-size models:

[PlusModels.com] * Features agent & model interviews, model resource lists, agency directory, casting and discussion forums
[CurvyChick.com] * Community and plus-modelling discussion forum
[VenusDivas.com] * Community and plus-modelling discussion & casting forums

Online communities (for full-figured women) that employ plus-size models:

[Figure Magazine] * Custom print magazine of Charming Shoppes Inc., with fashion editorials featuring plus-size models
[BeautyPlusPower.com] * Plus-size clothing link website; includes fashion editorials and model competitions
[Bombshell Magazine] * Online Magazine for plus-size women, conducts cover model competitions
[AmaZe Magazine] * Online magazine for plus-size women

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