Modelling has always been a problematic industry that often projects unrealistic and unhealthy body standards. When young girls see runways and magazine covers flanked by tall, thin and beautiful size-zero models, they begin to believe that that is the only acceptable standard of beauty. The impact of these unrealistic body standards can be severe on young, impressionable women, who are at risk of developing physical and mental disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and body dysmorphia, to name a few. What’s extremely dangerous about this trend is that it is literally impossible to achieve-and that people don’t know that behind every glossy cover or photo shoot is extensive amounts of makeup, good lighting, airbrushing and expensive designer clothes and shoes. The truth is, even the girl on the glossy cover doesn’t look like the girl on the glossy cover-so young girls are essentially chasing a standard of beauty that doesn’t even exist in real life!
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However, things are definitely changing for the better. In 2015, France’s National Assembly passed a law that requires models working in the country to provide a medical certificate stating their overall health and body mass index is appropriate, according to a report by The Independent. To make things better, in 2017, LVMH and Kering, who own luxury brands like Gucci, Saint Laurent, Vuitton et Dior, decided to stop using size zero models. The advent of the body-positivity movement, which took social media by a storm, focuses on the belief that all human beings should have a positive body image. The movement advocates the acceptance of all bodies no matter the form, size, or appearance. This had led to greater acceptance and celebration of plus-size models in the fashion industry. Wondering what that term means? Let’s find out!
What Does The Term ‘Plus-Size Model’ Mean?
The term plus-size model is, honestly, misleading. While you might think that it means models who are larger than the average size and weight, the term actually refers to average-sized women, who fall between American sizes of 8-14. Basically, being a ‘plus-size’ model loosely translates to ‘not size zero’.
What Is Considered Plus Size?
While plus-size originally meant women falling under the sizes of 10-16, the definition has been constantly evolving and varies from brand to brand and agency to agency. Some brands believe that plus size starts at size 8 (shocking, we know!), while others may start at size 10 or size 14. So, on an average, women over size 8 or 10 can generally be considered to be plus-sized. However, there are other requirements that you need to meet if you want to be a plus-size model: you need to be at least 5″8 or taller in height, and some agencies even require an 8″-10″ difference between your hips and waist. Phew!
Top International Plus-Size Models
Here is the list of International plus size models who are breaking stereotypes by embracing their bodies just as they are. Have a look!
1. Ashley Graham
Plus size model Ashley Graham is an American model who needs no introduction. She was the first plus-size model to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated and has graced several other magazine covers, including her debut in Vogue Italia in a series of unretouched photos. The 30-year-old has now also ventured into high-fashion runway shows and has walked the ramp with supermodels like Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber. She is also the face of brands like Lane Bryant, Revlon, Marina Rinaldi, and Swimsuits For All.
2. Denise Bidot
This 33-year-old American model made headlines when she became the first plus-size model to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week in 2014. She has worked for well-known brands including Nordstrom, Forever21, Target, Old Navy, Lane Bryant, Levi’s and Macy’s. In 2016, she launched a lifestyle movement called ‘There’s no wrong way to be a woman’ and has been featured on several television shows.
3. Candice Huffine
This 34-year-old stunner is a former teenage beauty queen who signed her first modelling commercial contract in 2000. Now, she’s crossed over from the commercial world into high fashion and is represented by IMG Models. She has appeared in multiple New York Fashion Weeks including 2017 Fall/Winter walking the runway for noted designers such as Prabal Gurung, Sophie Theallet and Christian Siriano.
4. Iskra Lawrence
Iskra is a 28-year-old British plus-size model, who made her New York Fashion Week debut in 2016 after 13 years of experience as a model. She also walked the ramp for L’Oréal’s first fashion show at Paris Fashion week in October 2017. Iskra uses Instagram to promote body positivity and runs a YouTube channel called everyBODYwithIskra, where she posts workout videos and encourages her fans to love the skin they’re in.
Top Indian Plus-Size Models
The fashion industry has projected unrealistic and unhealthy body standards. But our top Indian plus size models are teaching us to re-define those body standards. So, here have a look at these most famous plus size models in India.
1. Tinder Badhesha
Tinder Badhesha is the most well-known Indian plus size model who has, in fact, even made a name for herself internationally, after becoming the first Indian plus-size model in America. She has been featured in several campaigns for brands internationally and is now a well-recognized face in the industry. On being plus sized, she told a publication, “Having a plus size body is a fact of concern not because of how you look but due to how people treat you.”
2. Anjana Bapat
A former programmer at a multi-national company, this Mumbai-based model has walked the ramp for Lakme Fashion Week. In her desire to make it as a model, Anjana tried to lose weight but later realised that she is beautiful the way she is, and accepted her curves. This Indian curvy model hasn’t looked back since!
3. Neha Parulkar
Calling herself ‘plus and proud’, Neha Parulkar is a plus-size model and body-positivity advocate. She has walked the ramp for Lakme Fashion Week, and has a massive social media following. She has openly been vocal about the exploitation of plus-size models in India, and has still kept her day-job. ” I’d love to be a plus-sized model and influencer full-time but I can’t afford it, given how brands still exploit plus-sized models in India,” she said.
4. Neelakshi Singh
Neelakshi is a fashion blogger, body-positivity influencer and a plus-sized model. She has walked the ramp for Half Full Curve at the Lakme Fashion Week. She has been a model for six years now, and believes in spreading positivity through her social media account, and told a popular publication, “I know that people can be very cruel on the Internet, but people have been overwhelmingly kind to me. I try to know my followers, and interact with them, and help them in whatever capacity I can.”
So, these were some of the most famous International and Indian plus size models whom you should follow right away!
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