Plus-size models ooze confidence

June 26th 2009

by Lily Stein

I’ve recently talked to a friend who told me that the first idea that flashes across his mind when he hears the word “model” is “zero size”. And yes, for many years we’ve been watching skinny girls walking down the runway. Now this is so usual that when we see a plump woman posing on the cover of a glossy or strutting at red carpet we feel surprised, no, that’s not the word, I would say astonished!

After that talk I decided to write a post about women who are not skinny but plump, and feel proud of their shapes. Of course there are few of such ladies but I like the fact there are they – those women who are confident enough to show up their figures and stand against all that nonsense told about heavy people.

We will begin from Crystal Renn, a supermodel with nice feminine curves. As well as other chubby girls, she used to limit herself in pastry, do plenty of physical exercises, go on various diets; but then suddenly stopped and understood that this was the way to nowhere.

And soon she posed for Jean-Paul Gaultier, and graced the covers of Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and ELLE.

The next big girl we are going to talk about is Mia Tyler. She is Liv Tyler’s sister and Steven Tyler’s daughter. She is a successful plus-size model, an actress and a fashion designer. She likes her shape a lot and doesn’t feel shy to show it.

She’s been a model for Marie Claire and ELLE, took part in ad campaigns for H&M and Gap. Mia even launched her own clothing line titled REVOLUTION 1228 in February 2009.

Kate Dillon is a famous plus-size model. As a pre-teen she struggled with her weight plunging into the lonely world of anorexia that was exacerbated by entering the world of fashion modelling. She’s been a model since she was 17 but at that time she was very slim.

After a-few-years-break she decided she wanted to enter the plus-size industry and this was her best decision ever.

She had found herself. Over both of her slim-and-plus-size careers Kate Dillon has modelled for such companies as: Chanel, Christian Dior, Elisabeth, Gucci, Lane Bryant, Liz Claiborne, L’Oreal, Manifesto by Isabella Rossellini, Marina Rinaldi, Missoni, Nine West, Playtex, and Spiegel. In addition, she has graced the face of such fashion magazines as Vogue, Glamour, Mademoiselle‘ and Mode.

Barbara Brickner has been called one of the most beautiful women in the world. She obvioulsly likes her body and thinks it’s perfect. She has no hang-ups and is so confident that no one ever doubted she would get what she wanted. She’s worked with world-famous agencies including Wilhelmina, Heffner, Campbell, Giovanni Models, Wolf Models and Brigitte Models.

For ten years she was at the top and everyone considered it to be a great honor to work with her. She graced the covers of Mode, Grace and Woman’s World. She collaborated with Marks and Spencer, Nordstrom and JC Penney.

Glossies loved Barbara for her elegance and gracefulness. Nowadays Barbara works with plus-size projects helping girls with curves to reveal their talents.

Ashley Graham is young and sexy. She’s just 20 years old but achieved a lot in her life. She models swimwear and outfits but wants more, much more!

Speaking about her size she says:

You can be big and beautiful! Don’t hide yourself. You don’t have to wear Daisy Dukes, but show legs, arms and cleavage. Show off your curves. That shows confidence!’

Nothing left to say, this girl will reach the top!

Sophie Dahl is an outstanding model and an author of several books. She made her name as a model and was considered a glamorous icon whose voluptuous body stood apart from the trend for unhealthily thin models.

The girl was discovered by Isabella Blow, a Vogue stylist. Shortly after that Sophie became famous. She participated in ad campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, McQueen, Patrick Cox, Pringle, Godiva, Banana Repulic, and The Gap, among others. For three years, she’s been a contributing editor at Conde Nast and also contributed to The Saturday Times Magazine and both the British and American editions of Vogue magazine.

And the last to mention here is Beth Ditto. She isn’t a model but I guess she deserves attention and she gets loads of it despite her excessive weight. I dislike this woman but she can serve as a good example for those girls who torture themselves with diets.

Beth Ditto can be too extravagant and eccentric but she is talented and confident. Confidence is something that many plump girls need to feel comfortable in life.

This post is no way propaganda of plumpness. It just tells you that if you are overweight this doesn’t mean your life is ruined. Show the best of yourself, find something that is beautiful and show it! And be confident!!!