“The woman on p. 194″ caused quite an upset last month. Lizzie Miller, who appeared in the August issue of Glamour magazine, is a 20-year-old model, an athlete and a dancer. After flipping through 193 pages of skin and bones, this confident image overwhelmed and excited readers, prompting a landslide of fan response.

Cindi Leive, editor of the magazine, said “the letters blew me away: ‘the most amazing photograph I’ve ever seen in any women’s magazine,’ wrote one reader in Pavo, Georgia. From another in Somerset, Massachusetts: ‘This beautiful woman has a real stomach and did I even see a few stretch marks? This is how my belly looks after giving birth to my two amazing kids! This photo made me want to shout from the rooftops.’ The emails were filled with such joy.” [1]

Critics of plus-sized models have adjusted their eyes to see size zero as standard. They may warn against the dangers of excess weight, and associate curves with laziness or compulsive overeating. But featuring women like Lizzie Miller (and hopefully, one day, removing that label “plus-size” from sizes 8-12) is hardly advocating obesity. It’s promoting the acceptance of natural bodies and fostering a positive self-image in models and readers alike.

Former runway model Alexandra Michael spoke on the Today show about struggling to meet the industry’s ideal size of 0-2. She did drop to the goal weight, but her hair fell out in clumps and she lost her period for over a year. Even then, some designers still said she was too fat. (See Too Fat To Model?) What can be sane about a culture where “healthy” is synonymous with “overweight”?

Here we celebrate the real women who’ve built successful careers in fashion, and still get to eat lunch, too!

Crystal Renn began her modeling career at age 14, and was told to drop 50 pounds – almost a third of her body weight. She did, and suffered a health crisis as a result. She regained the weight and emerged as a plus-size model, enjoying much more success than she did as a teen.

Her autobiography, Hungry: A Young Model’s Story of Appetite, Ambition, and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves, is an “uplifting memoir with a universal message about body image, beauty, and self-confidence.” [2] [3]

Johanna Dray has appeared in the pages of French Vogue, Elle France, and Gala magazines. She is also the first plus-sized model in Europe to launch a plus-sized clothing line, named Tendances en Clair Par Johanna Dray. [4]

Kate Dillon, one of People’s 50 Most Beautiful People of 2000, grew up with the nickname “Overweight Kate.” She soon developed an eating disorder, started smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, and joined Elite modeling agency in 1991. Not unlike Crystal Renn, Dillon’s health suffered severely, and she decided to regain the weight. Now she is one of the most successful plus-sized models in America, as well as a national spokesperson for eating disorder awareness, and the founder of Echo, a nonprofit organization benefiting art programs for children. [5]

Charlotte Coyle hails from Northern Ireland and launched her career in the United States. In addition to modeling, she hosted the UK reality show Fat Beauty Contest. [4]

Amy Lemons, with a waist size of 6-8, just barely fits the plus-sized model category. Born and raised in Virginia, she now has international name recognition, appearing in German Marie Claire, Vogue Italia, Vogue UK, and Elle Portugal, among others. [6]

Ashley Graham has been a very active spokesperson for young, plus-sized models. She’s appeared on MTV’s Made (Season 8, Ep. 9) “Plus-Size Model,” in which she mentors a young girl looking to pursue a career in fashion. Graham also participated in Canada’s reality show Plus Size Model Search in the fall of 2008, guiding contestants on the catwalk. [7] [8]

Mia Tyler is the daughter of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, and half-sister of actress Liv Tyler. Tattooed and edgy, she’s particularly popular with companies “seeking to associate themselves with her rock n’ roll lifestyle and aesthetic.” [4]

Toccara Jones made a name for herself on the third cycle of America’s Next Top Model. Even though she didn’t win, she continues to build a successful career in both commercial and high fashion work. She’s become a sex symbol in the African American community, and speaks openly in interviews about self-esteem and body image. [4]

Natalie Wakeling is one of the most recognizable Australian plus-sized models. After Australian Cosmopolitan instated a policy of using models over an Australian size 12, they chose Wakeling as the first example. She has since gone on to create a plus-sized denim line called Embody Denim, and is an ambassador for the Eating Disorders Foundation of NSW. [4]

Chloe Marshall was the winner of British beauty pageant Miss Surrey, and was runner-up in Miss England 2008. She became the first plus-sized woman to enter the finals of the Miss England pageant. Her career in pageantry has launched a plus-sized modeling career for the 18-year-old. [9]

Barbara Brickner was discovered as a model when she entered a singing contest in Seattle, WA. At first she was offended when asked if she’d be interested in “large size modeling,” but soon changed her mind when she saw the beautiful women considered “plus-sized” by the fashion industry. Now she mentors newer models, fearful of the plus-sized label. “I always say to the newer girls, ‘do not change who you are or your size for ANY client! The jobs will come to you – be healthy and be true to yourself – no matter what.’” [10]

Natalie Laughlin is nicknamed “the Cindy Crawford of plus-sizes.” She was born in Trinidad, of English and French descent, and grew up in Miami. She earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting at NYU before signing with Ford models. Now very popular, especially abroad, Laughlin receives catalogue work as well as high fashion editorials. [11]

Whitney Thompson was the first plus-sized model to win America’s Next Top Model. The former student from Atlantic Beach, Florida, is now represented by Elite Models, and won a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics. [12]

Queen Latifah released her first rap single at 17, emerging as “hip-hop’s renaissance feminist”. She went on to become a very successful actress, a well-known plus-size model, and the creator of both the CoverGirl cosmetics line Queen, and the perfume Queen by Queen Latifah. She “transcends age, ethnicity and size as Hollywood’s most beautiful Everywoman”. [13]

Sources:
[1] “Glamour Shocks Readers By Featuring Plus-Size Model’s Belly” (Margaret) Jezebel.com. August 20, 2009
[2] Authors Biography: Crystal Renn // Simon & Schuster Publishing
[3] Crystal Renn Mini Biography // FamousWhy.com
[4] Notable Plus-Size Models, Other Regions // Wapedia Wiki
[5] Kate Dillon: Model – People’s 50 Most Beautiful People, 2000
[6] FMD Model Profile:  Amy Lemons
[7] MTV Made: Season 8, Episode 9 – Plus-Size Model
[8] Canada’s Plus Size Model Search
[9] Chloe Marshall Official Website
[10] PlusModels: Interview with Barbara Brickner
[11] Natalie Laughlin Official Site: Biography
[12] CWTV – America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 10: Whitney Thompson
[13] People Magazine: Profile – Queen Latifah