Ashley Graham – Trailblazer with sports illustrations
Ashley Graham made history when he became the first size 16 model featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2016, and appeared on the cover of Vogue in 2017 as the first plus size model to adorn the magazine. A year after her groundbreaking breakthrough in sports illustration, she published her first book, “A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Looks.” More recently, Graham worked with entrepreneur Emma Grede to co-write the side hustlers of the Roku reality series before the two mentored female business owners eventually invested in one female company.
In March 2025 it was announced that Graham would make his Broadway debut as Roxy Hart in the musical Chicago from April 15th to May 25th of that year. JC Penney is partnering with model and entrepreneur Ashley Graham on a plus-size collection of the same name this fall.
Paloma Elsesser – Discover Instagram
After being discovered by Pat McGrath on Instagram, after beauty legends turned Paloma into the face of their makeup line, Paloma appeared on the covers of major magazines such as Teen Vogue, Elle, and Glamour, and walked the runways of Fendi, Chloé and other luxury brands. Fashion talks about big games when it comes to inclusion, but few brands can actually back it up. So it’s a breath of fresh air that makes the legendary Fendi house more size-inclusive by casting Zircortrev and Paloma El Sesser at the runway show in Milan at the first “plus-size” model, the Fendi Show, the first “plus-size” model, to make Fendi’s legendary house a step towards making it more size-inclusive.
British Vogue tapped models Paloma Elsesser, Precious Lee and Jill Cortreb for the cover of the April 2023 issue, which was featured as the “new super.” This cover celebrates a new kind of supermodel rooted in expression. In April 2025, she appeared on the cover of Vogue Adria, further cementing her status as a top model recognized by Vogue in the UK as one of the “new supers” and remains a prominent advocate for body inclusivity and diversity in fashion.
Jill Kortleve – Chanel Game Changer
Coltrev has worked for everyone from Alexander McQueen to Versace, but in the spring of 2020 he splashed 10 years ago when Crystal Wren became the first “straight size” model from Crystal Wren, a fork for comprehensive casting. In July 2022, Kortleve and Chanel were once again attracting attention when the French lavish giant cast her as the “bride” for the fall haute couture show, the upcoming couture season.
“I was comparing myself to other girls and wondered why I thought it was because I had never seen anyone who looked like me on the spot. I had to change the way I see things.” “To represent different body types is a size 0 model and a size 0 model. [U.S.] 14 – We must also show what is in between.”
Robin Raleigh – Australia’s pioneer
Robyn Lawley is Australia’s most famous plus size model born on June 13, 1989, and first appeared in the Ralph Lauren Campaign and took a photo for the world’s most famous fashion magazine. In 2011, Australian model Robyn Lawley made history by adorning the covers of the famous Vogue Italia, and she broke the barriers further as Ralph Lauren’s first plus-size ambassador.
Adding another feather to her cap, Robin Laurie achieved another first in 2015 when she became a premier plus size model to appear in her iconic sports illustrator, Swimsuit Issues. She wrote an essay in 2013, criticizing the trend in “thigh gaps” as unhealthy and unnecessary.
Tallarin – France’s Connection
Taralin is a 40-year-old American plus-size model from Tacoma, Washington, who began modeling in her early 20s and has been featured in Glamour, Vogue and Cosmopolitan covers, making her best known plus-size lingerie model. Her work in fashion editorial shoots helped bridge the gap between commercial plus size modeling and luxury fashion.
Tara’s influence extends beyond traditional modeling to the realm of body positivity advocacy. Her appearances in major fashion campaigns demonstrated that plus-size models can successfully represent luxury brands and connect with a diverse audience.
Candice Huffine – Editorial Team
Curve models like Candice Huffine and Devyn Garcia have become more prominent in campaigns, and the inclusion of Elsesser and Kortleve in their latest swimming shoots suggests that a larger body is not just a blip. Candice became a prominent editorial figure and appeared in major publications and luxury brand campaigns throughout the 2010s.
Her work helped establish a new standard for plus-size representation in high-end fashion photography. Candice’s editing work demonstrated that curved models embody the same refinement and appeal that traditionally associated with straight-sized models, paving the way for greater acceptance in the luxury fashion field.
Barbie Ferreira – A versatile breakthrough
As a teenager, Barbie began by sending photos to American apparel. She uses her modeling work and the presence of social media to support the movement of physical positivity and bring back the shame of the body. Barbie Ferreira was the first to gain widespread cultural recognition as the face of the American Eagle Outfitters Airy swimsuit campaign.
Her acting career also flourishes in roles such as divorce, happiness. Extending his talent beyond modeling, Barbie challenged acting and appeared on the hit television show Euphoria. Her transition from modeling to acting helped to expand her representation in multiple entertainment industries.
Dennis Bidot – Leader of the Latina Party
Dennis Marie Bidot was born on June 13, 1986 (age 36), and she was a plus-size fashion model in the US, and Dennis began her career at the age of 17, drawing attention for her photos in the “Shape” magazine. As one of the most prominent Latino plus-size models, she has brought significant diversity to an industry that often lacked representation across ethnic boundaries.
Her advocacy work extends beyond modeling to debate about beauty standards within the Latino community. Dennis’ visibility challenged the community’s traditional notion of beauty, while also breaking barriers in mainstream ways.
Yumi Nu – Asian American Milestone
Yumi Nu made history as the first Asian American plus size model to adorn the cover of a sports-illustrated swimsuit problem. Her groundbreaking look represents a major step forward for Asian American representatives in the modeling industry, particularly in the plus-size category, which lacked a diverse range of ethnic representation.
Yumi’s achievements highlight the intersecting nature of fashion expressions and show that true inclusion must encompass both physical and ethnic diversity. Her work continues to inspire young Asian American women who have rarely been seen reflected in mainstream fashion media.
Source: The Curvy Fashionista – thecurvyfashionista.com
