More and more women have started coming out and taking on the system and the preconceived notion that in order to be a top and successful model, you ought to be perennially hungry.
Women are increasingly rejecting the concept often pushed by Western fashion houses that looking beautiful means suffering and giving up on the food they like eating.
These models embrace their curves and look like they’re managing to have a lot of fun, but their message goes way beyond fun. It’s a serious one and women everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief and buying it.
Apart from the likes of Ashley Graham, Ashley Alexiss, and a certain other number of women, there has also been a rise in the number of colored women taking up the mantle and promoting the body positivity movement hands-on.
They have made a conscious decision to work their socks off in order to prove their mettle and show what they are truly capable of. These women have worked wonders, and considering that it hasn’t quite been smooth sailing for them, it is a tremendous job that they have performed. Here are some of those women who have and still continue to make a mark and leave an imprint on this vivid industry.
Liris Crosse
Known as the “Naomi Campbell of Plus” Liris Crosse has one of the fiercest walks in the game. Period. She has ripped runways all over the world, starred in movies, and worked with countless brands and designers.
You honestly cannot talk plus size modeling without mentioning Liris Crosse. Oh, and did we mention that she was a favorite on season 16 of Project Runway or that she is an advocate for plus size inclusion and body positivity?
The lovely Liris has done campaigns with renowned full-figured designers like Lane Bryant and Pelle Pelle, and has appeared in Essence, Vogue, and British Cosmo.
She was scooped up by plus-size events like Curves Rock Fashion Weekend in Maryland. She’s also dabbed a little in acting, including in a role on “Milk & Honey.”
Marquita Pring
She is among the most well-rounded plus size models out there and also among the most recognized.
This New York native became the face of the All-American brand Levi’s, reminding Americans that denim was made for people who work hard, play hard, and eat well!
Even more impressive is that the size-14 beauty modeled the spring Jean Paul Gaultier line in Paris in 2010 which is not traditionally a plus-sized line.
Devorah Story
Devorah’s story has been quite amazing and that is why it needs to be heard. Devorah Story is a bit of a fresh face, but the girl is putting in major work in the plus size and natural hair industries.
She has worked with an abundance of brands, including Ashley Stewart, Jibri, Rue 107, Curlbox, and Creme Of Nature. Devorah has ripped countless runways and been plastered all over billboards.
It is hard to believe she has accomplished all of this success without being signed to an agency but that is her truth, and she uses her knowledge to assist other aspiring models with her My Model Story Workshops.
Jordan Borgella
Jordan was a double threat, as a former contestant on “American Idol” and a plus-size model. Fans of the curvy beauty were shocked by the news she shared over Facebook in 2013 that she had cancer.
She died in October 2014, at age 32. During her life, she was signed to Wilhelmina Models. She starred in NuvoTV’s “Curvy Girls” and was the first winner of Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance pageant.
Toccara Jones
Toccara was a contestant on the third season of “America’s Next Top Model” and although she was eliminated, she went on to make an incredible career for herself.
Toccara landed the cover of Black Men Magazine, Black Hair Magazine, and King Magazine, and has been in several runway shows including “BET Presents: Rip The Runway 2” and “Elle Girl Presents Dare To Be You.” This model also got her own 14-page spread in Vogue Italia.
Precious Lee
As her name quite clearly indicates, Precious Lee is among the most important people in the world of fashion at the moment and it has been that way for quite a lot of time now.
This September 1989 born plus size model hasn’t had the typical entry to the modelling circuit. Her career span has been full of moments worth their weight in gold and that is what has propelled her to superstardom.
The journey to superstardom however wasn’t the easiest to accomplish. Minor hiccups and a few setbacks have come along the way, but Precious with her might and spirit has left them behind gathering dust while she enjoys her time in the limelight.
It is her attitude that has helped her reach the stage that she has and there is still a lot left for her to achieve.
Along with being a part of one of Lane Bryant’s biggest campaigns, she also graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, which has become a career highlight for her.
In 2016, while Lee’s friend Ashley Graham was making history as the first plus-size model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, a few pages in, Lee was doing the same thing: making history as the first black, plus-size model featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
When people talk about Black female models, they immediately think of the greats: Tyra Banks, Beverly Johnson and of course Naomi Campbell. How could they not? There is no denying these women paved the way for so many Black women and girls.
Maybe it’s because, according to society’s beauty standards, models shouldn’t exceed a certain size. Maybe it’s because society doesn’t see blacks as beautiful.
Maybe it’s a combination of the two and the harsh reality that while society dislikes happy Black women, they hate happy fat Black women. These women and a few others, however, have gone on to change this notion through their work and all this has just started.
