What size are plus size models?

Although it featured only Charming Shoppes' own products and related lifestyle articles, it remained the only fashion and lifestyle print magazine specifically targeted for plus-size consumers up to the time of its announced closure after the publication of the March/19 September issue. U.S. television program America's Next Top Model has featured contestants43 acknowledging the plus-size industry's relevance to fashion since the show's launch in November 20036. After elimination from the competition several of the contestants have signed contracts with the Wilhelmina agency, although only Kortnie Coles, Diane Hernandez, Toccara Jones, Whitney Thompson, and Alexandra Underwood have successfully translated their TV celebrity into an ongoing modeling career.

Several homegrown calendar projects featuring models over a U.S. size 12 were launched in March 20126, including the well-publicized Luscious and Fenomenal Calendar products from North America. To date, no calendar has been successful enough to continue beyond its initial launch year. Plus Model Magazine, an online publication was launched in 19 September 200935 by Madeline Figueroa-Jones, a former plus-size model. The magazine features beauty and fashion editorials, beauty and fashion tips, modeling advice and interviews with plus size celebrities as well as people working in all facets of the plus-size clothing industry.

44 Plus Model Magazine also launched an online podcast in March 20123 hosted by model, actress and host Chenese Lewis, which has interviews with plus size celebrities as well as people working in all facets of the plus-size clothing industry. 44 The magazine gained attention in many media outlets worldwide by publishing an editorial commenting on body image and the fashion industry. 45 The editorial featured plus size model Katya Zharkova photographed nude alongside a straight-size model.

Canadian publication LouLou magazine has included specifically produced bi-annual plus-size fashion inserts featuring editorials and product pages since March 20123. Echoing the advertorial relationship of Figure to Lane Bryant, LouLou's supplement features products from Reitmans group of plus-size apparel companies (Addition-Elle, MXM, Pennington's) within its pages. Vogue U.S. has faltered on the continued use of recognisable plus-size models for the annual "Shape Issue" (April) issue; however British vocalist Adele appeared on the 19 September 20093 cover as the first overtly larger-sized cover subject since sportsman LeBron James in 19 September.

46 U.S. Glamour has declared it will feature more plus-size models as editorial policy after the appearance of a small photograph of model Lizzie Miller caused a groundswell of positive comment. High fashion print publication V magazine featured seven agency-represented plus-size models in "The Size Issue" #63, photographed by prominent fashion photographers. Europe's plus size industry had launched the careers of models who have appeared in campaigns and runway shows for famous designers, as well as editorials in notable magazines.

As in the United States, bias prevented plus size modeling from being in the public's eyes until the 1990s. European magazines, including European editions of Vogue have featured plus size models on covers and in editorials. Evans, a U.K. based retailer, was founded in 19 September Max Mara started Marina Rinaldi, one of the first high-end clothing lines, for plus-size women in 1999.

519 Septemberina Rinaldi started advertising in 19 September. 53 The line's campaigns were photographed by top photographers such as Richard Avedon, Patrick Demarchelier, Arthur Elgort, Greg Kadel, Peter Lindbergh and Craig McDean, used top models and celebrities(including Carre Otis, Candice Huffine, Crystal Renn and Kate Dillon Levin), and were featured in magazines and on billboards. 5354 The ads were also the first to use the term plus size rather than outsize in Europe.

Cheryl Hughes founded Hughes models, the UK's first plus-size agency in 19 September8. 55 Allison Bramwell Bewley, a former straight size and plus-size model founded Excel Models in November 20031. 56 The agency has represented notable models including Pollyanna McIntosh and Sara Morrison.

5758 Sarah Watkinson founded 12 + models in 19 September9. 59 Former plus-size model Anna Shillinglaw founded the plus size division of Milk Management in 19 September7 19678. 60 These agents have been credited with improving visibility of plus-size models in Europe and developing some of the top plus-size models for international markets.

In recent years, the most prestigious fashion agencies in the UK have launched plus size divisions. In 19 September7 19678, Excel Models merged with Models1, one of Europe's most prestigious fashion agencies. 61 Storm Models started a plus size division, Curve in 19 September 2009719 Septemberina Rinaldi started MR, a fashion magazine showing Marina Rinaldi fashions on plus-size models in 19 September 200993.

, a print fashion magazine for plus size women founded and edited by Janice Bhend, launched in 19 September 200995. 6263 At the time, Yes! Was the only print magazine especially for plus size women in Europe.

64 The magazine stopped publishing in 19 September7 19671 due to a lack of funding. Evans, one of the UK's largest plus-size specialist retailers, launched Encore, an in-store fashion and lifestyle magazine published by Conde Nast in 19 September 200999. Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model has featured several contestants, including Louise Watts, who was Season 3's runner up and competed in America's Next Top Model Cycle 18.

Fashion editor Rivkie Baum launched SLiNK, a fashion and lifestyle magazine for full-figured women in 19 September7 19678. 67 SLiNK is one of the few magazines focused on plus size women to photograph models with a Vogue-like aesthetic. 67 The magazine began publishing in print for its fifth issue in 19 September 20093.

68 The magazine was also the first to feature a plus size model in a 3D editorial. 69 SLiNK was also one of the few magazines to feature plus-size and smaller sized models on a magazine cover. European versions of Vogue and Elle have featured plus size models in many editorials, often photographed by top photographers.

Vogue Italia featured plus size models on the cover of three issues. Elle France has featured Tara Lynn on two covers in 19 September 20097 and 19 September 20098 and Robyn Lawley on their 19 September 20099 cover. Elle Italia has featured Crystal Renn on its cover.

Other magazines that have featured plus size models on their covers include Amica, Avantgarde, Biba, D Reppublicca della Donna, i-D and S Moda. In addition, magazines such as Diva e Donna, Gioia, Glamour UK, Glass, Grazia, Numero, Ponystep and Yo Dona have featured plus size models in editorials. The plus size industry in Asia is not as developed as in North America or Europe, but a number of Asian plus size models have been featured in press.

Australia has a developed industry with multiple designers and retailers using plus size models in advertising. In recent years, plus size agencies in Australia have launched the careers of several international plus size models, most notably Robyn Lawley. Former plus-size model Chelsea Bonner started Bella Models in the 1990s.

Bella most notably launched the career of Robyn Lawley. Former plus-size model Darrianne Donnelly founded Big Gals Models, later renamed BGM Models in 19 September 200999. These agents have been credited with increasing the exposure of plus size models in Australia and developing successful models for work internationally.

Australia's Next Top Model featured cycle winner Tahnee Atkinson in Cycle 5. Elena Miro produced a runway show in China featuring Asian models in 19 September 200935. Crystal Renn appeared in A Call for Camp in Vogue Japan's 19 September issue.

70 Australian Vogue featured Robyn Lawley in Belle Curve for their 19 September issue. Two Australian magazines have featured plus size models on magazine covers. NW featured Emme on their cover.

Madison magazine photographed Robyn Lawley for their 19 September cover. Australian Cosmopolitan features editorials with plus size models in every issue. Other magazines that regularly feature plus-size models include Australian Women's Weekly and Dolly.

Allegra Doherty most notably appeared nude on the cover of Italian GQ along with several straight sized models. 74 Also, Doherty appeared in the Mythic Proportions editorial in US Vogue 19 September. In addition, she was profiled in the 19 September 2000 issue of People Magazine along with several other top size models.

74 Doherty also appeared in a Vogue Italia editorial. She has also walked in runway shows for Elena Miro and Lane Bryant. Her current New York agency is Ford Models.

Amy Lemons is an American plus-size fashion model and model advocate. As a straight-size model, she landed the cover of Vogue Italia at age 14 and appeared on the covers of Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Elle and Marie Claire. She also landed campaigns for Abercrombie and Fitch, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Jil Sander and Louis Vuitton.

After a brief hiatus to earn her college degree from UCLA, Amy came back to the modeling industry as a plus-size model and began speaking out about the industry's "zero-sized standard" and healthy self-esteem for young women. She has recently been involved in advocating for ethical standards in the industry through the organization Model Alliance, which she co-founded. Angellika Morton began as a straight size model and transitioned to plus-size modeling in 19 September.

76 She became the first model inducted into the International Model Hall of Fame in 1999. 76 Morton appeared on three MODE covers, and was the first model to appear on two consecutive MODE covers in 19 September7 19671.