Plus-size model

Barbie Ferreira is a plus-size model from the United States
Robyn Lawley is a plus-size model from Australia

A plus-size model is a female model, who has a clothing size that is bigger than the size 34/36 used for women. Usually they were clothing sizes 40 to about 52.They are also called Curvy models. Some of the models criticize the naming. They want to drop the "plus" from the name, and be considered normal. Very often, they advertise clothing that normal women can actually wear. Many are also active in stock photography. Some are advertising products other than clothing, for example cosmetics or sunglasses.

Other names used include "full-figured model",[1] "extended-sizes model", "over-weight model", and "outsize model". Previously, the term "large size model" was also frequently used.[2][3]

In the past, there were discussions about models being anorexic, or models with eating disorders and problems of drug abuse. With this in mind, many fashion designer started to use plus-size models for advertising campaigns and catwalks.

Fashion shows

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Jean-Paul Gaultier and John Galliano both used plus-size models[4] in their Spring 2006 showings in Paris.[5] Gaultier also used plus-size models Marquita Pring and Crystal Renn in his Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear show.[6][7] Italian plus-size fashion house Elena Mirò now regularly stages biannual prêt-à-porter shows during Milan Fashion Week.[8] Mark Fast[9] and William Tempest[10] each used plus-size models during their own London Fashion Week showings for Spring 2009, and again as part of All Walks Beyond the Catwalk[11] event held on 19 September 2009 in association with the British Fashion Council. Mark Fast also used plus-size models in Fall 2010, Fall 2011,[12] and Spring 2012.[13] Mr. Debonair of Beautiful You Fashion Tour uses plus-size models in shows around the world, including during the Beautiful You fashion show during New York Fashion Week 2022 which included Ms. Plus Intercontinental 2021 title holder Wendy Roach.[14] Plus-size models became increasingly represented in high fashion after 2020 but saw a decline in early 2023 when ultrathin models made a comeback.[15][16]

There are specialized model agencies focussing on plus-size models. The first of these agencies started in the 1970s. [17]

European magazines, including European editions of Elle and Vogue have featured plus size models on covers and in editorials.[18][19][20]

In France, the media ma grande taille is dedicated to plus size industry and body positivity.

Origins

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A page from the Lane Bryant Spring/Summer 1954 catalog.

Lane Bryant began trading in the early 1900s as a producer of clothing for "Expectant Mothers and Newborn"'.[21] By the early 1920s, Lane Bryant started selling clothing under the category 'For the Stout Women', which ranged between a 38–56 inch bustline.[21] The earliest catalogs used illustrations to sell their products, but by the mid-1950s photographs were integrated into the catalogs as the evolution of printing technology made this option available. After a hiatus through the 1960–1980 period, Lane Bryant again began using plus-size models.

Evans, a U.K.-based retailer, was founded in 1930.[22] Evans specializes in plus-sized clothing, lingerie, shoes and swimwear.

Max Mara started Marina Rinaldi, one of the first high-end clothing lines, for plus-size women in 1980.[23] Marina Rinaldi started advertising in 1981.[24] The line's campaigns were photographed by top photographers such as Richard Avedon, Patrick Demarchelier, Arthur Elgort, Greg Kadel, Peter Lindbergh, and Craig McDean, used top models and celebrities(including Carré Otis, Candice Huffine, Crystal Renn, and Kate Dillon Levin), and were featured in magazines and on billboards.[24][25] The ads were also the first to use the term plus size rather than outsize in Europe.[24]

References

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  1. ↑ "Ashley Stewart and Plus Model Magazine Launch Nationwide Search for Full-figured Models". PlusModel. 2014-05-13. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
  2. ↑ Schiro, Anne Marie (7 June 1979). "Large Size Fashion Models in Demand". Times-Union. New York Times News Service. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  3. ↑ "Size is a plus for head of model agency". Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. 18 May 1986. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  4. ↑ Crystal Renn (Jean Paul Gaultier), Johanna Dray (John Galliano)
  5. ↑ Deeks, Sarah (14 July 2010). "Crystal Shines On". Vogue. UK. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  6. ↑ "Model Call: Marqsuita Pring". Women's Wear Daily. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  7. ↑ Lee, Joyce (7 October 2010). "Crystal Renn Takes on Paris Fashion Week, Walks in Three Big Shows". CBS. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  8. ↑ Lomrantz, Tracy (22 September 2010). "Plus Size Line Elena Miro Is Excluded From The Official Milan Fashion Week Schedule". Glamour. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  9. ↑ "farfetch.com - a new way to shop for fashion". www.farfetch.com.
  10. ↑ Scout, The Fashion (22 September 2009). "The Fashion Scout: William Tempest".
  11. ↑ "All Walks Beyond the Catwalk, 18 September 2009". Archived from the original on 19 October 2009. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  12. ↑ "12+ Model UK and Mark Fast". madisonplus.com. Madison Plus. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  13. ↑ "Mark Fast RTW Spring 2012". style.com. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  14. ↑ "BeautifulMode.com". www.beautifulmode.com. Retrieved 2022-02-14.[permanent dead link]
  15. ↑ Roby, India (12 October 2022). "What Does the Future of Size Diversity on the Runway Look Like?". Fashionista.
  16. ↑ Paton, Elizabeth (11 March 2023). "Why Did Ultrathin Models Make a Comeback at Fashion Week?". The New York Times.
  17. ↑ Stewart, Anna (July 9, 1979). "Big is Beautiful, Large is Lovely, Size 16 is Sexy - and Two Models Cash in On the Trend". In Style. People Magazine (Hard copy of magazine (along with URL for archives)). Vol. 12, no. 2. Time, Inc. pp. 86–7. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  18. ↑ Krupnick, Ellie (3 May 2013). "Elle Quebec's Plus-Size Cover Model Is Justine LeGault (PHOTO, VIDEO)". HuffPost. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  19. ↑ Valenti, Lauren (8 November 2013). "ELLE Spain Cover Model Tara Lynn: "It's Hard to Make Clothes Look Great on Big Women"". Elle. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  20. ↑ Moss, Hillary (3 June 2011). "Vogue Italia Puts Three Plus-Size Models on June Cover (PHOTOS)". HuffPost. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Lane Bryant Started by a Woman". The Miami Herald. 30 September 1962. Retrieved 10 January 2012.[permanent dead link]
  22. ↑ "Our History". evans.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 November 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  23. ↑ Agins, Teri (10 May 1996). "Queen sizes get a lift in the market". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 "History & Philosophy". marinarinaldi.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  25. ↑ Schiro, Anne Marie (24 November 1998). "Courting Women Big and Small". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 January 2013.