The modeling industry has been blamed for a lot of body image issues.
However, in recent years, the standards of beauty have begun to change. The world of modeling has started to become more open to all shapes and sizes of beauty.
8. Iskra Lawrence
When Iskra Lawrence was only 13, she was a finalist in Elle girls search for the next supermodel, which is where her career began. Lawrence, who is an advocate against retouching photos, encourages women of all shapes and sizes to try and break into the modeling world. Lawrence endorses a healthy and positive body image and is a great role model for young women around the world. Her goal is to empower and build women up while at the same time educating the world on self-esteem, health and fitness. The modeling world needs more women like Iskra Lawrence in the industry.
7. Ashley Graham
The 28-year-old Nebraska native was discovered at the age of 12 at a shopping mall. Graham is one of the most recognizable faces in plus-size modeling and is a dedicated and active role model for teenage girls dealing with self-acceptance and body image. Graham has found incredible amounts of success and has been featured in magazines like Glamour, O and Vogue. Her extensive and impressive client list includes Target, Hanes, Evans, Nordstrom, Simply Be, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Old Navy. Ashley Graham is a perfect example of a curvy woman who is taking the industry by storm.
6. Victoria Lee
Miss Victoria Lee is a rising star in the world of plus-size modeling. The Atlanta native had just started college when Elite models discovered her. Lee is currently living in New York City and is exploring acting and other projects outside of modeling. Lee made headlines for her appearance in Lane Bryant’s “#ImNoAngel” campaign which had everyone talking. Lee is passionate about the modeling agency and is continuously improving her portfolio. Victoria Lee is a great role model for girls to look up to, she promotes a healthy and active lifestyle and is also educated and beautiful!
5. Iman McDonnaugh
Iman is a stunning 23-year-old who was raised in Long Island, New York.
Her unique look is due to her being a mix of Italian, Jamaican,
Trinidadian and Irish. Iman is a full-time working plus-size model. She
was discovered in college while studying journalism after having posted
photos of herself online. She has always had a love for fashion and
always found herself struggling to lose weight in order to pursue her
dream, however she realized that she didn’t need to change herself to do
that. Iman is talented, confident and beautiful and is an outstanding
role model for teenage girls and women around the globe.
4. Candice Huffine
Huffine is a veteran in the plus-size modeling world and still finds herself breaking boundaries. The thirty-year-old diva went to New York at the young age of fifteen to pursue different modeling agencies. However, devastation hit when she found out she was “too big.” On her second day in the Big Apple, Wilhemina modeling agency introduced her to “plus size” and she moved to New York. Since then, she has shot for incredible magazines like V, W and Vogue Italia. Candice’s goal is to prove that women don’t need to be a certain size in order to be classified as beautiful.
3. Georgina Burke
Georgina Burke is one of those models that was discovered by complete chance. The 23-year-old Australian attended a fashion show that her friends were walking in. An agent approached the then business student at the show and she ended up moving to London to give modeling a try. Burke is currently living in New York City and loves showing off her killer size 14 curvy body. She has appeared in ads for Macy’s, Saks and many more. In an interview with Vogue Italia, Burke stated that she was bullied as a child for being big and tall and has always felt a little self-conscious, that is until she began finding immense success in the modeling industry.
2. Barbara Ferreira
Ferreira is a stunning Brazilian model, born and raised in the Big Apple. This young diva is only 18 years old and has already managed to make a name for herself. She is part of the “new generation” of creative women who are trying to break the mold of what beautiful is defined as. Barbara is signed with Wilhelmina agency, one of the best in the business, and has appeared in numerous magazines such as Seventeen, Nylon, Wonderland, Lula, Bullet as well as interviews with i-D magazine and teen vogue. She is confident and proud of who she is and she is a great model for girls around the world who struggle with self acceptance.
1. Denise Bidot
