Being in the fashion industry is a tough task – let alone being a plus-size model. People think that being a plus-size model must be easy because all you have to do is eat.
Well, first of all, that isn’t polite. Secondly, that’s not true at all.
There is a cost to pay for everything. So if you are not a plus-size model, you need to watch out for unnecessary carbs and a sugary diet. Well, that’s a strict routine!
But if you are a plus-size model, you’ll have to take care of your diet even then. Look, it is always important to watch what you have on your plate.
Besides making it nutritious, plus-size models also have to care for the proportion of everything lying on the plate.
And there is much more that goes along with diet, all of which is necessary to maintain your size and shape as a plus-size model.
With all that being said, let’s move toward mentioning the names of some famous black plus-size models in the fashion industry. All of them have earned respective prominence with time.
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Anita Marshall
Anita Marshall is one of the most prominent black plus-size models today. She has worked for well-established brands such as Essence and Lane Bryant. She has also worked for Good American.
But unlike many models, Anita Marshall had a very impressive start. She sent some of her photos to Dorothy Combs Models. However, the set wasn’t enough for the team, so they requested her to send some more.
It was an easy task for Anita Marshall. She had a friend “John Brewer” who was willing to do that task. He captured some photos then Anita sent another set to Dorothy Combs Models.
After looking at the latest set submitted by Anita, they called her to inform her that a contract is being prepared for her! That was a starting point for Anita Marshall.
Today, she is among the big names on the black plus-size models’ list.
Jeannie Ferguson
Jeannie Ferguson has outperformed several black plus-size models in the fashion industry.
But the surprising fact is that Jeannie Ferguson never wanted to become a model. The very reason why she and her sister argued a lot in the 11th hour at The Circle Of Sisters. We’ll touch upon this story in a minute.
She shared her story with VoyageATL, saying that she was helping her sister. Tasha Monique, Jeannie Ferguson’s sister, is a designer for Big Girls United.
So she helped her sister dress the models. And now comes the point when Jeannie Ferguson and her sister were doing a show named “The Circle Of Sisters,” where one of the models was absent.
So there was no replacement for her at the time, so Tasha Monique wanted Jeannie to be a replacement. Jeannie Ferguson didn’t want to walk because she hated it.
Then she eventually took a walk, and the audience’s approval made her believe that she could do it. You can read the full version of this story here.
Philomena Kwao
Philomena Kwao is another popular name in the black plus-size model domain. She has modeled for globally recognized brands which have been a huge success for her. But things weren’t a piece of cake for her. She took a small start back in 2012 when she was hand-picked when she participated in a modeling competition.
After competing in Models1, Cosmopolitan UK Magazine, and Evans, Philomena Kwao appeared in Essence Magazine’s Editorials. She also appeared in Pride Magazine and Cosmopolitan UK.
You can read her complete list of achievements here. After accomplishing all the above-mentioned, Philomena Kwao moved to New York City. Today, Philomena is working with JAG Models (United States) and Models1 (United Kingdom).
Liris Crosse
Liris Crosse is another impressive black plus-size model featured in Conspiracy X: Reloaded and Truth Unspoken Series. She also appeared in Best Man, Baby Boy, Dope Friend, and Knucklehead. That’s quite a lot to be going on in one’s portfolio.
However, it wasn’t always easy for her. She worked hard and appeared in numerous auditions before she began flying. After working day in and day out, she was able to land a role in the movie called “The Best Man.”
Today, she is an established model and a prominent name in the list of black plus-size models. Along with appearing in multiple movies, Liris Crosse also claimed victory in 2017’s Project Runway!
Precious Lee
Precious Lee is one of the most famous black plus-size models in the fashion industry. Trailblazer is more commonly used to put Precious Lee into words. She is reported to be one of the first models who walked on the Versace Runway. And that is a dream for every model, regardless of her size.
After achieving that milestone, the black plus-size model continued her journey and got featured on the covers of Harper’s Bazar and Vogue. In addition to that, Precious Lee also appeared in British Vogue and New York Times Fashion Week.
Appearing on the covers of top-of-the-line brands has helped Precious Lee add considerable weight to her portfolio. After all the years of hard work and struggle, she is all set to succeed as a black plus-size model.
Francie Maupin
Francie Maupin is a black plus-size model who is also a social media influencer. Pretty interesting, right? Well, that’s a perfect fit for a model. But even more interesting is the fact that she has not kept herself limited to appearing before the camera.
Instead, she preferred to hop on her entrepreneurial journey. She is the founder of The Dive Kurves Collection. It is an apparel brand that sells most of what a woman needs in her closet. Plus, you can also buy self-care products from the brand.
Hoping on an entrepreneurial journey needs confidence and education too. Whether you decide to graduate or learn directly from experts and the internet like the Elon Musk style, it’s totally up to you. Francie decided to get a degree in Psychology from Georgia State University.
Monique Robinson
Conversing black plus-size models without mentioning Monique Robinson is not a good idea. She is one of the most highlighted figures in the fashion industry.
However, her story is particularly outstanding. That’s because she helped her fans and people, in general, to look at how difficult it can be for a person to maintain a plus-size body.
She was seen making a strong statement on the case. She shared her story, telling people that she had just recently discovered that she is pre-diabetic.
Before finding it out, she was facing painful symptoms like swollen ankles, and her fingers were getting numb too. Her journey towards attaining good health demanded weight loss too.
However, she was able to make the necessary changes to lose weight and maintain a plus size.
Nedra Phillips
Nedra Phillips is one of the famous black plus-size models. She was born in Georgia and decided to extend her area of expertise way beyond posing.
So along with being a model, she is also an entrepreneur and a stylist. Nedra Phillips motivates other women to embrace their original selves and stay confident.
As for Nedra, she confidently claimed victory in Fashion Sense Contest back in October 2011.
Chante Burkett
Chante Burkett is also one of the well-known black plus-size models hailing from the United States. Apart from being a model, she is a blogger who likes to talk about girly stuff.
She has a blog that reads “Uncensored Girl Chat.” You can tell by the name that she sticks to all the topics that a girl would be interested in. Before Chante Burkett rose to fame, she earned a degree in Youth Family & Health Services (New Jersey City University).
Akesha Murrey is making her place in the domain of black plus-size models. She is one of the rising talents in the industry. She is rising with the help of some internet supporters.
Getting to the top of the hierarchy in any given domain is a very difficult enterprise. The case is no different with Akesha Murrey too. She quoted, “nobody roots for more than a random stranger on the internet when talking about her supporters.”
She then proceeded to tell her that some internet supporters did that, and they hold a very special place in her heart. It will probably take her some time to make it to the top of the black plus-size models’ list, considering that she started modeling in 2019.
Tash Ncube
Tash Ncube is a plus-size model and body-positive advocate. She is known for her striking beauty and her message of self-love and acceptance.
Tash has been featured in various magazines and on several runway shows, showcasing plus-size clothing and breaking barriers for models of all sizes in the fashion industry.
Tash is also a vocal advocate for representation and inclusivity in the fashion industry. She has spoken out about the lack of plus-size models in the industry and the need for more diversity on the runway.
Tash’s message is body positivity and self-love, encouraging others to embrace their bodies and love themselves for who they are. She is a role model for many, and her voice is important in the industry, helping to shift the standards of beauty and representation.
Brielle Anyea
Brielle Anyea is a plus-size model and influencer from the United States. She is known for her unique style, confident attitude, and inspiring message of body positivity.
Brielle began her modeling career by participating in local plus-size model search contests and has since gone on to walk in numerous fashion shows and be featured in various magazines and campaigns.
Brielle’s modeling career serves as a platform to spread her message of self-love and body acceptance. She frequently shares images of herself in various outfits, encouraging others to embrace their bodies no matter their size.
Brielle is also a vocal advocate for inclusivity in the fashion industry and has spoken out about the lack of representation for plus-size models.
She is a role model for many, inspiring others to love themselves and their bodies and to prove that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.
Conclusion
Modeling is not an easy task, especially if you are a plus-size model. Things can get difficult and very different because of the diet consumed by plus-size models.
Not only that, but they also have to take care of their illnesses. For example, pre-diabetic conditions can be very challenging for a plus-size model.
But the black plus-size models we covered in our post today secured their spot regardless of their circumstances.
