Honestly, if you look at a fashion magazine from 2005, it feels like a fever dream. Everyone was the same size. Literally. It was a monoculture of "size zero or bust," and if a "plus" woman did show up, she was usually buried in a kaftan or used as a very specific "before" photo in a weight loss ad. That has shifted. Hard. But when we talk about famous plus size models today, it’s not just about diversity quotas or brands trying to look "woke" on Instagram. It’s actually about money.
The average American woman wears a size 16 or 18. Brands finally did the math and realized they were ignoring roughly 70% of their potential customer base. That’s billions of dollars left on the table.
The Pioneers Who Broke the Mold
Emme was the first one to really make a dent in the mainstream consciousness back in the 90s. She was the first plus-size model to be named one of People’s "50 Most Beautiful People." It sounds quaint now, but at the time, it was a literal revolution. She wasn't just "the curvy girl"; she was a supermodel. Period.
Then came Ashley Graham. You can’t discuss this topic without mentioning her 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover. That wasn't just a win for her; it was a structural shift in how the media viewed "editorial" bodies. Graham didn't just walk the runways; she built a brand. She showed that a woman with a size 14/16 frame could sell high-end luxury goods, not just discount department store jeans. Her career basically provided the blueprint for every model who followed.
Paloma Elsesser and the New High-Fashion Standard
If Graham opened the door, Paloma Elsesser kicked it off the hinges. She isn't just a "commercial" success. She’s a darling of the high-fashion world, regularly appearing on the cover of Vogue and walking for Fendi and Alexander McQueen.
Why does Paloma matter?
Because she represents a specific type of authenticity. She’s vocal about the struggle of being a "mid-size" or plus-size person in a world that still designs for sample sizes. She often talks about the physical discomfort of being squeezed into garments that weren't built for her proportions during a shoot. It's gritty. It's real. It's not just a polished Instagram feed.
Why the "Body Positivity" Label is Getting Complicated
You’ve probably heard the term "Body Positivity" a thousand times. But for many famous plus size models, the term is starting to feel a bit like a cage.
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Tess Holliday is a great example of this. When she landed the cover of Cosmopolitan UK in 2018, the internet basically exploded. She’s a size 22. Some people cheered; others claimed it was "promoting obesity." Holliday’s response has always been pretty straightforward: she exists, she’s successful, and she deserves to be seen regardless of your opinion on her health.
But there’s a nuance here.
The industry is moving toward "Body Neutrality." This is the idea that your body is just a vessel. You don't have to love every inch of it every day, but you do deserve to see clothes that fit you. Models like Precious Lee—the first Black plus-size model to appear in Vogue—are leaning into this. They want to be judged on their talent, their walk, and their ability to sell a look, not just the number on their tag.
The Reality of "Sample Size" Barriers
Most people don't realize that the biggest hurdle for famous plus size models isn't just "mean people" on the internet. It’s the literal infrastructure of the fashion industry.
- Sample sizes: Most designers create their "sample" (the clothes used for runway shows and photoshoots) in a size 0 or 2.
- Production costs: Grading a pattern up to a size 24 requires more fabric and a completely different engineering approach to ensure it hangs correctly.
- The "One-and-Done" Mentality: Many brands hire one plus-size model for a campaign to avoid criticism but don't actually carry those sizes in their physical stores.
Precious Lee has been incredibly vocal about this. She’s pointed out that being the "only one" in the room isn't a victory; it's a sign that the room is still too small. When she walked for Versace, it was a moment. Not because she was plus-sized, but because she looked better in the clothes than almost anyone else on that stage.
The Men Joining the Conversation
We usually only think of women when we talk about this, but plus-size male models are finally getting their flowers. Zach Miko became the first "big and tall" model signed to IMG Models' Brawn division.
Think about it.
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Men have just as much body dysmorphia as women do. Seeing a guy with a 40-inch waist wearing a stylish suit instead of a "big and tall" tent is a huge deal for the average consumer. It’s about dignity.
Beyond the Runway: The Creator Economy
The landscape changed because of social media. Models like Iskra Lawrence didn't wait for an agency to tell them they were "good enough." They built their own audiences.
Iskra famously refuses to retouch her photos. You see the cellulite. You see the stretch marks. This transparency forced traditional agencies to change. Why? Because the audience stopped trusting the airbrushed version of reality. They wanted to see how a pair of jeans actually looks on someone who has hips.
The Rise of the "Mid-Size" Model
Lately, there’s been a shift toward "mid-size" representation. These are models who fall between a size 8 and a size 14. They aren't "straight-size" (0-4), but they aren't traditionally "plus" either. This "in-between" space is where the majority of women live, yet it was the most underrepresented category for decades. Models like Jill Kortleve are dominating this space right now. She’s been the "first" non-sample-size model for brands like Chanel in over a decade.
The Financial Impact of Inclusive Casting
If you want to see who’s winning, look at the quarterly earnings.
Brands like Skims (Kim Kardashian) and Savage X Fenty (Rihanna) have redefined what a "cool" brand looks like by making inclusivity the baseline, not a special feature. When Savage X Fenty does a show, you see every body type imaginable. And guess what? They sell out. Every time.
Compare that to the old Victoria’s Secret model. They waited too long to adapt, and they paid for it in market share. Consumers today—especially Gen Z and Millennials—are hyper-aware of performative activism. They can tell if a brand actually cares about plus-size customers or if they’re just using a curvy model for a "diversity" post while only stocking up to a size Large in-store.
What’s Next for Famous Plus Size Models?
The goal for many in the industry is "normalization."
We’ll know we’ve arrived when we stop saying "famous plus size models" and just start saying "famous models." We aren't there yet. We still see headlines every time a size 14 girl walks for a major designer. It’s still "news."
However, the talent coming up now is undeniable. Yumi Nu, who made history on the Sports Illustrated cover, is also a musician and a creative. These women are multi-hyphenates. They are using their platforms to demand better sizing, better fabric quality for plus garments, and more seats at the table in the design room itself.
Actionable Steps for Navigating Plus-Size Fashion Today
If you're looking to support this shift or find better clothing for your own body, here is how you should actually approach it:
- Vote with your wallet. Stop buying from brands that only use plus-size models for ads but don't carry the sizes in their main collections.
- Follow the models, not just the brands. If you like how Paloma Elsesser or Precious Lee styles something, look at the stylists they work with. This is how you find the "hidden" brands that actually fit well.
- Demand "True" Sizing. Check the size charts. Brands like Universal Standard have revolutionized the industry by offering "fit liberty" and consistent sizing from 00 to 40. Support the innovators.
- Ignore the "Flattering" Rule. For years, plus-size women were told to wear black and hide their shapes. Famous models today are doing the opposite—neon, mesh, bodycon. Wear what you want.
The industry is still far from perfect. We still see "fat-suit" scandals in movies and "skinny-washing" in high fashion. But the momentum is currently with the models who are refusing to be small—both literally and figuratively. They’ve proven that style isn't a size; it's an identity.