Plus Size Modeling Agencies

What Are They & How to Get Signed to One

Until the 1920s, most clothing was either handmade at home or done by a tailor, but when industrial growth led to mass manufacturing, a sizing system was created, and items of clothing would be manufactured in bulk according to this sizing scale.

Lane Bryant Clothing, which began as a maternity line in 1904, was one of the first clothing companies to market to women of a specific size starting with their line “For the Stout Women” with bust lines ranging from 38-56 inches.

In 1922, Lane Bryant also launched a marketing campaign targeting women of that size and referring to them as “Misses Plus Sizes,” and the term “plus-size” took off from there. As more clothing lines for women of all sizes were established, the demand for models to showcase these designs increased. Of course, as more of these plus size modeling jobs were created, the need for plus size modeling agencies to represent these models grew as well.

Model Ashley Graham – IMG Models

THE FIRST PLUS SIZE MODELING AGENCY

Mary Duffy is a pioneer in the industry, and she created the first plus size modeling agency, “Big Beauties, Little Women” in the late nineteen-seventies. The agency also represented petite models, and it quickly established itself as a prominent force in the fashion and modeling industries. This agency was so successful that before long, others began to follow suit by creating their own plus size or petite modeling agency divisions. As further evidence of its success, the prominent modeling agency powerhouse – Ford Models – purchased Big Beauties, Little Women in 1988 and it has since been known as Ford+, the plus size modeling agency division of Ford Models.

PLUS & CURVY MODELS MAKING HISTORY

Plus size and curvy models have been making history for years, names like Ashley Graham, Robyn Lawley, Tess Holliday, and Candice Huffine come to mind, and they have gradually become much more mainstream than being just a niche market.

Not only do many modeling agencies have plus size divisions, but there are also now several prominent agencies that specifically represent plus models. The models represented by these agencies have been breaking down perceived industry barriers in many ways: In 2015, Robyn Lawley became the first to be featured in the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. Plus size supermodel Ashley Graham helped pave new ground in the industry when her ad for her campaign “SwimsuitsforAll” was the first plus-size ad to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.

Plus Size Curvy Model Tess Holliday

HOW TO GET SIGNED TO A PLUS SIZE MODELING AGENCY

If you’re looking for agency representation, there are several things you should know before you get started. While straight-sized fashion modeling is primarily focused on specific measurements, plus size modeling tends to use sizes rather than measurements. Most plus female models are a size 10-12 and up, but some agencies and brands consider a size 8 to be plus size. Whether you’re a straight-size or curvy model you will need to know precisely how an agency classifies their models by size to be sure you fit the requirements to be considered plus size or straight-size.

The first steps you should take when seeking a career in modeling are:

1. Get an honest evaluation by several experienced professionals. Just because one agency can’t represent you, it doesn’t mean another one won’t.
2. Get as much exposure as possible. Don’t limit yourself to local markets. If you live in a small city you should submit your photos to agencies in larger markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami and even European markets since they will have many more job opportunities than small local markets.
3. Don’t spend money on expensive photo shoots. Legitimate agencies will require that you buy photo shoots from them to determine your potential as a model. Snapshots are all you need.
4. Modeling schools are not necessary. Top international agencies will never require that you take classes with them or anyone else in order to be represented.
5. Only work with established, legitimate modeling agencies & scouts.

PLUS SIZE (BRAWNY) MALE MODELS ON THE RISE

While much of the attention has been focused on female models, “brawn” or plus size male models are becoming well known in their own right.

In 2016, Zach Miko, who was signed to the prestigious agency, IMG Models in New York, became the first brawn male model to ever to sign a modeling contract with a top international agency. The fashion world soon realized what it had been missing, and male brawn models got a huge push in popularity from the publicity Zach’s contract created.

Zach’s Target campaign for their “Big & Tall” section satisfied a lot of people who were frustrated with seeing men of smaller proportions modeling clothes meant for bigger and taller men. Modeling agencies around the world are beginning to establish plus male divisions, and there are even agencies that were specifically created to work with brawn male models. Similarly, many clothing lines extended their sizes and added collections for men with larger measurements than straight sizes.

MORE GREAT TIPS ON BECOMING A MODEL & SUBMITTING PHOTOS

Plus Size & Curvy Models Wanted
How to Become a Model (5 Expert Tips)
Don’t Make These 6 Modeling Mistakes
Top 5 Myths About Becoming a Model
Why You Need a Professional Modeling Agency
Become a Plus Size Male Model