For a long time, there was only one name people thought of when it came to plus size models: Ashley Graham. She was (and is) a household name, breaking down barriers in a world that for far too long, valued thinness above all else.
These days, however, things are certainly changing (and not a second too soon, given that the average Australian woman is a size 12 to 14). From Australian Australians Robyn Lawley and Kate Wasley to the unapologetic Tess Holliday and bonafide supermodel Paloma Elsesser, these women not only have millions of fans on social media but are appearing on the runway, red carpet and cover of magazines.
These woman are also calling for more representation in our fashion media, as well as releasing plus size clothing lines that prove fashion doesn’t end at a size 16.
“The industry may carve out space for a select few names like mine, but it firmly shuts the door on countless others,” Elsesser wrote in a 2024 essay for The Cut.
“Yes, I face criticism and doubt, but I keep going because it matters. I continue because it matters enough to me and because the people it impacts matter enough to me.”
Here, the 14 most famous plus-size models in the world.
Paloma Elsesser
Paloma Elsesser shot to fame after she appeared on Glossier billboards and as the face of Fenty Beauty, and her career has only gone from strength to strength. She’s appeared on the cover of multiple fashion mags, walked for luxury fashion houses like Fendi and Chloé, fronted campaigns for Marc Jacobs and Coach, and is one of the forefront models (plus size or otherwise) working today.
She also won Model of the Year at The Fashion Awards in December 2023.
- Modelling agency: IMG
- Nationality: American (mother of African American heritage and father of Chilean-Swiss heritage)
- Age: 32
- Height: 1.71 m
- Instagram: @palomija
Kate Wasley
Aussie model Kate Wasley rose to social media fame as one half of Instagram duo @any.body_co, where she and friend Georgia Gibbs share photos of themselves to social media to promote body positivity at any size. Kate has been recognised internationally, shooting for Sports Illustrated and working with brands that range from Bras N Things to Colgate. She also spoken about the need for genuine inclusion in the industry, particularly in regards to previous Australian Fashion Weeks.
- Modelling agency: Vivien’s
- Nationality: Australian
- Age: 30
- Height: 1.8 m
- Instagram: @katewas_
Georgia Pratt
New Zealand-born model Georgia Pratt Holiber started out making clothes before making the leap to New York in 2013 to pursue modelling. She was part of US plus-size retailer Lane Bryant’s #PlusIsEqual campaign in 2015 and has walked for designers including Christian Siriano and Tome. Closer to her original home, she has also shot for Kiwi lingerie label, Lonely, which is known worldwide for using models of every size and age and their unretouched images.
- Modelling agency: IMG
- Nationality: New Zealand
- Age: 33
- Height: 1.8 m
- Instagram: @jojacalled
Barbie Ferreira
American model and former Euphoria star Barbara ‘Barbie’ Ferreira started modelling after sending photos of herself to American Apparel. Now one of the biggest body-diversity advocates and a muse of Selena Gomez‘s best friend, Petra Collins, Barbie has firmly cemented herself in the fashion world.
- Modelling agency: Ford Models
- Nationality: American-Brazilian
- Age: 27
- Height: 1.68 m
- Instagram: @barbieferreira
Jill Kortleve
Dutch model Jill Kortleve made a name for herself as one of the exclusive faces for Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2019 collection, and then as one of the few plus-size models to walk for Chanel. In fact, her first show with Chanel in 2020 was also the first time in 10 years that a plus-sized model had walked for the brand. Jill Kortleve has also worked with Michael Kors, Fendi, Jacquemus, Valentino and Kate Spade, as well as being a cover model for RUSSH, Harper’s Bazaar and several international editions of Vogue – including the April 2023 edition that starred her in a feature titled “The New Supers”.
- Modelling agency: IMG
- Nationality: Dutch
- Age: 30
- Height: 1.73 m
- Instagram: @jilla.tequila
Robyn Lawley
Robyn Lawley is Australia’s most well-known plus-size model, the first to ever appear in a campaign for Ralph Lauren and shot for some of the world’s biggest fashion magazines. In 2013, she penned an essay calling out the ‘thigh gap’ trend for being unhealthy and unnecessary.
In 2022, she spoke to marie claire about the first Afterpay Australian Fashion Week Curve Edit event, stating: “Fashion is so big in our world, so it’s important to have representation for different sized bodies”.
- Modelling agency: Ford Models
- Nationality: Australian
- Age: 34
- Height: 1.89 m
- Instagram: @robynlawley
Tara Lynn
American model Tara Lynn is best known for shooting lingerie and swimwear campaigns. But she has also graced the cover of international fashion magazines, including the Spanish edition of Harper’s Bazaar, and has starred in campaigns for brands such as H&M and Gloria Vanderbilt.
- Modelling agency: IMG Models
- Nationality: American
- Age: 41
- Height: 1.75 m
- Instagram: @taralynn
Candice Huffine
A former teenage beauty queen, Candice Huffine signed her first commercial modelling contract in 2000 and now fronts high fashion campaigns worldwide. She’s an Instagram sensation, a body-positivity advocate and she has her own athleisure label, Day/Won.
- Modelling agency: IMG Models
- Nationality: American
- Age: 39
- Height: 1.8 m
- Instagram: @candicehuffine
Precious Lee
Precious Lee was the first black, curve model to appear in the pages of US Vogue in 2015 and has continued to be a trailblazer in the modelling world. After having been in the industry for almost a decade, the Atlanta native’s star is shining bright, having walked the runways for the likes of Versace, Moschino and Michael Kors, and appeared in campaigns for Kim Kardashian‘s SKIMS and Pandora.
- Modelling agency: IMG Models
- Nationality: American
- Age: 34
- Height: 1.79 m
- Instagram: @preciousleexoxo
Iskra Lawrence
British model Iskra Lawrence uses her platform to promote body positivity and to remind her followers that what they see on social media isn’t real. On her website, she said she was “rejected because I didn’t fit an ‘ideal size'” as a model, falling somewhere between the smaller modelling sizes and plus-size model expectations.
She’s gone on to create a huge following online and launched her own businesses, focused on authenticity.
“I’m so sick and tired of the photoshop…show me somethin’ real…with some stretch marks,” she posted on Instagram in March 2024, along with a photo of her modelling a swimsuit for cupshe.
- Modelling agency: Ford Models
- Nationality: British
- Age: 33
- Height: 1.79 m
- Instagram: @iskra
Nadia Aboulhosn
Nadia Aboulhosn is a fashion blogger, model and designer, who uses her platform to promote self-acceptance and self-empowerment. She has featured in the pages of Vogue Italia, Seventeen Magazine and Teen Vogue, among others. She also made a name for herself through design collaborations with Boohoo Plus Size, Love & Legend and Addition Elle (who she’s also modelled for).
- Modelling agency: Moodboard Talent
- Nationality: Lebanese American
- Age: 35
- Height: 1.6 m
- Instagram: @nadiaaboulhosn
Denise Bidot
In 2014, Denise Bidot became the first plus-size model to walk two runway shows at NYFW, after being scouted while doing makeup for a plus-size model.
“I thought it was a joke because I never even knew that industry existed,” she said in an interview with The Fashion Spot “I thought it was such an amazing chance to do something outside of the box. It’s been 10 years now.”
In 2016, she launched a lifestyle movement called ‘There Is No Wrong Way to Be a Woman’, which is still a hashtag on her Instagram profile. She was also one of the featured models in 2017 documentary Straight/Curve, and has modelled for the likes of Forever21, Chromat, Nordstrom and Lane Bryant.
- Modelling agency: Creative Artists Agency
- Nationality: American (mother of Puerto Rican descent and father of Kuwaiti descent)
- Age: 37
- Height: 1.75 m
- Instagram: @denisebidot
Tess Holliday
American model Tess Holliday has long been an advocate for more representation in the fashion industry. In 2013, she founded the ‘EFF YOUR BEAUTY STANDARDS’ movement on Instagram, and currently works as a diversity and inclusion consultant for brands including H&M.
- Agency: Creator Collective Agency
- Nationality: American
- Age: 38
- Height: 1.65 m
- Instagram: @tessholliday
Ashley Graham
American supermodel Ashley Graham has been on the cover of almost every major fashion magazine, walked in runways shows such as Michael Kors and Prabal Gurung, shot advertising campaigns for H&M and used her personal platform to promote body positivity. Oh, and she’s done a TED Talk, has a book, and her own lingerie, swim, and dress collections.
- Modelling Agency: IMG
- Nationality: American
- Age: 36
- Height: 1.77 m
- Instagram: @ashleygraham
Hunter McGrady
Hunter McGrady is an American model who rose to fame working with Sports Illustrated in 2017. She and her older sister, Michaela McGrady, host the Model Citizen podcast. She also has over half a million followers on Instagram.
- Modelling Agency: One Management
- Nationality: American
- Age: 30
- Height: 1.8 m
- Instagram: @huntermcgrady
What size is a plus-size model in Australia?
Anyone who wears over a size ten is considered plus-sized in the Australian fashion industry. Curve models also typically have heights between 5’8″ (173cm) and 6’0” (183cm), although there can be some variations.
For example, Barbie Ferreira is 5’6″ (168cm), Tess Holliday is 5’5″ (165cm) and Nadia Aboulhosn is 5’3″ (160cm).
Does Victoria’s Secret use plus-size models?
Victoria’s Secret hired their first plus sized mode, Ali-Tate Cutler, in 2019. The brand has since used more plus-sized models in their campaign, including Paloma Elsesser.
RELATED: Gigi And Bella Hadid Have A Stunning Plus-Size Model Cousin
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
