While we're extremely grateful to Ashley Graham and the current models she works for, we're also extremely grateful to the plus-size models who came before her and killed it. Although Graham was discovered in 2000 at the age of 12, her modeling career really began in 2007 when she was interviewed by Vogue magazine. The face of plus-size modeling seems to be constantly changing, but with Graham now at the helm, it's important to look back at all the models who paved the way for people like her.
Some of these models have contributed to the plus-size community in positive ways, while others have helped simply by being present and visible when we need diversity the most. As plus-size models become more common in the industry, and body positivity continues to become a mainstream conversation, their talents and contributions deserve to be represented, recognized, and appreciated. Just because some of these models weren't around in the age of social media and listicles, doesn't mean they don't deserve recognition in both areas.
The growth of the internet has done so much to remove the stigma around plus-size bodies, so it's only right to use it to honor those who have helped inspire change throughout their modeling careers. These women deserve their place in the internet spotlight. Looking back on their work, we can applaud the women who helped make Ashley Graham famous.
1.Tokara Jones
While Whitney Thompson was the first plus-size model to win the show, Toccara Jones was actually the first plus-size model to compete on America's Next Top Model in 2004, This paved the way for Thompson and her own success.
2.Aimee
Often referred to as the world's first plus-size supermodel, Emme gradually became mainstream in the 1990s. Now she's back in the fashion world with the Fashion Without Limits program, which encourages fashion design students to create clothing in sizes 12 and up.
3. Sophie Dahl
Sophie Dahl, now famous as a celebrity chef who walked in the late 1990s for the likes of Versace, Alexander McQueen and DKNY, is a curvy dream. Most memorably, Dahl was the inspiration for Sophie in the book The Friendly Giant, written by her grandfather Roald Dahl.
4. Safi Karina
Saffi Karina is a successful British plus size model who provides real help to other plus size models through her Body Confidence Masterclass and London Curve Project Curve Strengthening Modeling Workshop.
5. Crystal Rain
Crystal Renn suffered from anorexia to pursue her dream of modeling, but after recovery she returned to the industry as a plus-size model. Her story is truly inspiring and she even wrote a memoir for others to learn more from her experiences.
6. Velvet Love
Velvet D'amour is everything . In 2006, she won the lead role in the black comedy "Avida" and in 2007 she continued to model for fashion giants John Galliano and Jean Paul Gaultier. Today, D'Amour is still fighting body positivity with her inclusive magazine Volup2 .
7. Chelsea Bonner
Chelsea Bonner was a plus-size model before they really existed and is now the owner and director of Bella Models Management, an agency dedicated to introducing "a more holistic , a healthier way to model performance."
8. Angelica Morton
In 1997, Angellika Morton also transitioned from a straight-size model to a plus-size model. Like most of the women on this list, she still provides a voice for plus-size models through her independent work.
Today, many of these models remain actively committed to breaking industry boundaries, while others have turned to careers related to plus-size modeling and the activism behind body positivity, while a few have left it all behind. Whatever they decide, their efforts toward inclusivity truly deserve the spotlight.
