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If you could create your own spread for a magazine, what seven plus size models would you put together to create the best representation of the plus size modeling industry?
December 14, 2009 by Editor, Madeline Figueroa-Jones · 8 Comments
On July 2, 2001 PEOPLE Magazine featured 7 of the most well known plus size models.
Featured in this article were Allegra Doherty, Emme, Mia Tyler, Natalie Laughlin, Tami Fitzhugh-Thompson, Audra Marie Perkins and Kate Dillon.
As I read the article I felt a twinge of pride and sorrow. I could not help but realize how much had changed in the industry both good and not so good.
It was great to see fuller figures being embraced in this spread as opposed to the spread that was featured in GLAMOUR Magazine a few months ago. While I absolutely applaud them for including some of today’s most beautiful and well known plus size models it’s clear the models in the 2001 spread look visibly bigger.
I also found this quote interesting, “If a model lost too much weight, I’d have to let her go,” says Chris Hansen, an executive vice president at Lane Bryant, which hires only models size 14 and larger. ”
I’m pretty certain the biggest model Lane Bryant is using these days is a size 14 and the smallest being a size 10. I can’t help but wonder, what changed?
There are those that say we should just be happy they are using plus size models at all, yet other clothing retailers have been known to use models larger than a size 14 through numerous campaigns.
Ashley Stewart’s numerous campaigns with plus size model and actress Mia Amber are still some of their consumers favorite to date. Had their sales been lowered by using a “bigger” model would they have also booked her as the face of the Butterfly Bra?
Ashley Stewart is not the only retailer to cross the size barrier. Other clothing companies like Igigi.com, Monif C, Sydney’s Closet, Biluzik and even Kmart have been using “curvier” models and peaking the publics interest.
While the plus size industry has come a long way since 2001, this article also shows how far we have to go. Only our voice and dollars will capture the attention of the powers that be.
If you could create your own spread for a magazine, what seven plus size models would you put together to create the best representation of the plus size modeling industry?
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I’m trying to figure out why people are hating on plus size models who are not at least a size 14. This is the same thing people have been doing to full-figured models for years. There are also many size 12 women who can see themselves in something I’m modeling, but it wouldn’t look the same if it were being modeled by someone who is size 18. When is everyone going to realize that there are many people of many different sizes, so there should be models of many different sizes, including those who are above size six and less than 14.
but that’s the problem, there isnt fair representation in the industry. we go from one extreme to the next, instead of showing the spectrum of sizes. its very hard at times to find work as a model larger than a 16. i’ve gotten exposure but have yet to get a paid gig. i’d love to see a spread with an equal representation in sizes from 10 to 28. i’d also love to see in that spread other hard working models that deserve the shot, exposure, and a check…no disrespect to those who paved the way but i’m tired of seeing the same ones over and over in these spreads and campaigns. i am a commercial plus size model who deserves a shot and i know a few others that do too, like limarie lewis and sheera divanae.
as any movement, we’ve come a long way but we have further to go.
You better say that T! And to add to what you’ve just said, when are modeling agencies going to realize that not everyone is six feet tall!!! Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes…and HEIGHTS! If I could create my ideal magazine spread, of course I would put myself in there:-), but I’d also look for a couple of petite plus models, like Mamie “Black Barbie” Jenkins from Milwaukee (X’Change Modeling)! Mama is fierce! She’s probably a size 14, but shorter than me and I’m 5″7. Nevertheless, she is well proportioned and FIERCE! I would also have to have my girl Teslyn in there! Again, not 6 feet tall, but after seeing her grace all of the promos for Full Figure Fashion week, is there any doubt? NO! She rocks:-). I would love to have Emme, and Mia, and other taller, diverse models also. Star I agree with you also, that we should start embracing women who are “full figured” (Sizes 8-12) as well as Plus (14 & up). I feel like women between the sizes of 8-12 get trapped in this “No Man’s Land” where those of us who are “Plus” hate on them because they’re not “Big” enough, and the regular modeling industry hates on them for not being “Thin” enough!
I just want to commend the writer for bringing up this issue. It’s something that I’ve read elsewhere, and it’s really important. By making plus-size models smaller and smaller, the industry is basically selling out and losing its purpose. Who cares if they start getting more magazine appearances, if they bascially turn into skinny models in the process? That’s no success. The point is the get fuller-figured women in the public eye, not to make the girls who are labeled “plus-size” more tolerable to the skinny-loving mainstream fashion industry by making them skinnier.
As for which 7, well, how about choosing some of the girls who were in FFFWeek?
Here are the top 7 Plus size models that I would use if I were to do a spread…
1. Jamil Kali Gilliam
2. Fluvia Lacerda
3. Denise Bidot
4. Davie Cabral
5. Lisa Barfield
6. Christina Bentley
7. Maggie Brown
WOW ..that was hard. I have a lot more that I would like to add though. So many pretty plus size ladies that I have had the pleasure to know.
Oh my how I agree with you Madeline – pride and sorrow – how ironic. I myself am nearly five foot nine and find myself fluttering between a size 16 and 18. I am still so new to modeling and can already feel the pressures of not being small enough to fit this industrie’s smaller plus size commercial standard but also I feel I am sometimes overlooked because I am not a woman blessed with very much on top. Yes I’d love to have a more ample boosom (lol) but my Chinese heritage just did not bless me with them. I am still curvy and shapely but the gigs I am being offered are not paying gigs yet. Models like Mia Tyler and Emme and Kate Dillion (who I always thought was a knockout) are some of the first sucessful plus size models I ever seen , but this is going back like ten years!!!! The point is there is certainly room for change and the time is now. I too am tired of seeing the same ol faces in the campaigns and mag pages. Especially when I know for myslef how many amazing new plus size faces are out there that are gorgeous and can definitely rock it!! Even when I see models who are supposed to be plus size – especially on these clothing store websites, they look too skinny to me to be considered in the same boat as I am! So why are they repping us when they, more than anything resemble a size 4/6 model not a 14/16???? Shame shame shame!!! Ultimately we are the consumer ladies!! Perhaps we need to really start making a stink!! However I still think that it is very exciting to see PEOPLE magazine giving props to deserving plus models!! These ladies have put in their time – we have seen it for ourselves!!!! Round of applaus for them! Now back to us…….. PLUS MODEL magazine….. where’s my cover love!!!??? LOL Soon I hope!
I would love to see a diverse group of beautiful women, as well as show some up and coming talent that may not be as well known. I would love to see Biana (of Click and Heffner), Katie Reed (of Wilhelmina), Sarah Flack (of Dorothy Combs), Denise Bidot (of Brand and Heffner), Maggie Brown (of Wilhelmina), Melissa Parker (of Brand), and Christine Todd (of Wilhelmina).
i completely forgot the height factor – how, i dont know-…hence why i cannot apply to many agencies. i’d like to see non agency represented models in the spread…give them a chance to be seen.