In April 2015, France made laws to "ban" thin models, even going so far as to saying fines will be imposed on agencies who promote with models with less than a specified minimum BMI. Not only this, they also made it illegal to promote anorexia on the internet and also made it a legal requirement to indicate when photographs of models have been "body-shopped" and retouched.
I think you'll be interested to know that the World Health Organization defines a BMI of 18 and under as malnourished. It is estimated the BMI of an average model is 16! (Based on a height of 5'9" (1.75m) and weight of 7st 12lb (50kg) *
This is all good news for the "body positive" movement which has been gathering significant momentum in 2015. It also means we should be seeing more voluptuous women striding the catwalk in the future.
Here are some curvier models I'm sure we'd all love to see more of - especially used by Victoria's Secret, who have to date stated, "no plus-size" models here.
1. Georgia Pratt
Flawless skin and pouty lips! Georgia will be seen in a documentary called Straight/Curve - an examination of body image and the media.
2. Tess Holliday
This size 22 stunner caused a sensation when she was signed to Milk Model Management.
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3. Olivia Langdon
Olivia is one of 5 Australian models in #ProjectWomanKIND - a YouTube web series featuring five curvy models challenging society's pre-determined ideals that define beauty.
4. Sophie Sheppard
Another of the participants of #ProjectWomanKIND
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5. Denise Bidot
Yes - proof positive that you can have cellulite and still rock a bikini.
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6. Nadia Aboulhosn
Nadia Aboulhosn is a plus-size model with a huge social media following and now BohooPLUS (a UK retailer) has snapped her up to design a clothing range for curvy girls.
7. Candice Huffine
The first "plus-size" model to feature in the Pirelli calendar (The European equivalent of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.)
8. Marquita Pring
A genuine modeling icon, Marquita is co-founder of ALDA – a positive body image group that encourages women to embrace their curves and take pride in their appearance, regardless of their size.
9. Ashley Graham
After making a huge name for herself as one of the curvier models, she took to the runway and modeled her self-designed lingerie line at NYFW.
10. Olivia Campbell
This gorgeous lady is among those leading the charge of the British plus size models.
11. Erica Schenk
After a cover and feature in Running magazine, if this photo from a New York photo shoot is anything to go by, we'll be seeing a lot more of this lady.
12. Georgina Burke
There's a whole bevvy of beauties from Australia, a country that seems to be very much behind the body positive push.
13. Lauren Karaman
Larger women are bullied - fact. But you don't expect it from your parents. Lauren's reaction? Ignore the taunting, sign a contract with a top modeling agency and create a video series on the challenges, realities, and feelings of plus-size models.
14. Allexa D'Alessio
As a 13 year old Allexa was told she needed to lose weight to be a model. She was told the same thing at 18. Now at 23, she's successful plus size model - happy with her career and her weight!
15. Sabina Karlsson
One gorgeous Swedish gal who blossomed into stunning curves that haven't held back her catwalk career. Indeed , she walked the runway the September NYFW.
16. Jennie Runk
Made waves in the modeling world when she starred in a swimsuit campaign for H&M.
17. Philomena Kwao
One of the beauties blazing a trail for curvier high-fashion models.
18. Myla Dalbesio
You know there's a whiff of change in the air when Calvin Klein picks someone the industry describes as "plus size" for an ad campaign.
19. Felicity Hayward
Looks to slay and the curves an icon from the golden days of Hollywood would die for.
20. Lauren Chan
A model who went through weight swings and diets from the age of 14 to try and achieve what she believed was the necessity to be thin to make it.
21. Iskra Lawrence
This English rose appeared in Aerie's unretouched campaigns and recently made news by implementing the National Eating Disorders Association's inaugural NEDA Inspires award.
22. Victoria Lee
This lady from Atlanta, Ga is making headlines following her appearance in Lane Bryant's #ImNoAngel campaign.
23. Elly Mayday
Hailing from Canada, Elly is an inspiring ovarian cancer survivor and activist who has appeared in Lane Bryant's #ImNoAngel campaign.
24. Whitney Wells
A true Californian girl who is seriously hot property right now. Shop your favorite stores online and you’ll be sure to spot her.
25. Jocelyn Corona
Just 18 and 6 months into her modeling career this hot Mexican has already walked the runway in the NYFW. P. S. I should also tell you that Italy demands health certificates for catwalk models and Spain also has a minimum BMI limit for Madrid fashion shows.
I'd like to throw a question out there. Why is the world not having the same debate about plus-sized (for want of a better term) male models?
Well, I think some of these women can walk for VS, but some cannot. I have a huge girl crush on Ashley Graham though. I would like to see her. I do think that everyone is beautiful in their own way. What you may find pretty, someone else may not. It's the same with guys and their likes and dislikes. Ppl need to chill a bit, the world is changing, and sometimes it's necessary.
Olivia Langdon is my favorite in this list
Truly drop dead gorgeous beauty's... Wonderful post!
All of these women are gorgeous. If they we not pretty, we would never have heard of them. Also , none of them have flabby mid sections, flabby arms, double chins. Most of them can wear a two piece bating suit and look great n them. So someone who is 5'4 and 170 pounds does not compare to someone who is 5'10 and the same weight.
Philomena don't even look plus size
Curvy is one thing, but most of these women are just fat. Their faces are gorgeous, but bodies are mostly gross. They look unhealthy and promote obesity. I think there should be more healthy, fit women on magazine covers and runways to motivate regular women to workout and eat healthy. Often nature doesn't give us perfect bodies, bud it's up to us to do something about it, to change our lifestyles and work hard to achieve our goals. People who say you should accept you bodies no matter how they look are just lazy and looking for excuses to keep eating unhealthy foods and not exercise. But how you look is the result of the choices you make.
A lot of these women definitely don't have BMIs in the healthy range. They're still gorgeous, just as a lot of underweight models are. But if you're claiming that the ban on underweight models is to promote health, then why don't we have a ban on overweight models? Keep them all in the healthy BMI range. (Putting aside that there are plenty of fit, healthy people who are over- or under-weight. BMI is a stupid scale. I'm just advocating for consistency).
What not why
half these "curvy" girls are a standard of the size most woman should aim to be, healthily in the middle. the other half are not curvy, mostly verging on being fat and promoting obesity.
Beauty should not be judged by ur size. Like Meghan Trainor says every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top
Comments
Melissa:Well, I think some of these women can walk for VS, but some cannot. I have a huge girl crush on Ashley Graham though. I would like to see her. I do think that everyone is beautiful in their own way. What you may find pretty, someone else may not. It's the same with guys and their likes and dislikes. Ppl need to chill a bit, the world is changing, and sometimes it's necessary.
Sarah:Olivia Langdon is my favorite in this list
BB'sDD'sOll:Truly drop dead gorgeous beauty's... Wonderful post!
Colleen:All of these women are gorgeous. If they we not pretty, we would never have heard of them. Also , none of them have flabby mid sections, flabby arms, double chins. Most of them can wear a two piece bating suit and look great n them. So someone who is 5'4 and 170 pounds does not compare to someone who is 5'10 and the same weight.
Harolyn:Philomena don't even look plus size
Emma:Curvy is one thing, but most of these women are just fat. Their faces are gorgeous, but bodies are mostly gross. They look unhealthy and promote obesity. I think there should be more healthy, fit women on magazine covers and runways to motivate regular women to workout and eat healthy. Often nature doesn't give us perfect bodies, bud it's up to us to do something about it, to change our lifestyles and work hard to achieve our goals. People who say you should accept you bodies no matter how they look are just lazy and looking for excuses to keep eating unhealthy foods and not exercise. But how you look is the result of the choices you make.
Katie:A lot of these women definitely don't have BMIs in the healthy range. They're still gorgeous, just as a lot of underweight models are. But if you're claiming that the ban on underweight models is to promote health, then why don't we have a ban on overweight models? Keep them all in the healthy BMI range. (Putting aside that there are plenty of fit, healthy people who are over- or under-weight. BMI is a stupid scale. I'm just advocating for consistency).
Tierra:What not why
Janaya:half these "curvy" girls are a standard of the size most woman should aim to be, healthily in the middle. the other half are not curvy, mostly verging on being fat and promoting obesity.
Leahbluebird:Beauty should not be judged by ur size. Like Meghan Trainor says every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top
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P. S. I should also tell you that Italy demands health certificates for catwalk models and Spain also has a minimum BMI limit for Madrid fashion shows.
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