Plus-size models have gone from a separate catalog category to the covers of Vogue, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and the biggest runways in Paris and Milan. Many of them also run their own clothing lines, podcasts and body-positivity projects.
Below are 26 of the most famous plus-size (or “curve”) models in the world, from household names like Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser to the women who opened doors for them. We’ve focused on what each model is actually known for: campaigns, covers, firsts and businesses.
What Is a Plus-Size Model?
A plus-size model is a model who wears clothing above standard “straight” sample sizes. In the US, the term usually covers models who wear a size 12 or above, though agencies often sign “curve” models from around a size 10 or 12. Many agencies now use “curve” instead of “plus-size,” and some models in this list prefer that word.
Want to get into the industry yourself? Read our guide on how to become a plus-size model, and see our list of mid-size models for models who sit between straight and plus sizes.
The Most Famous Plus-Size Models in the World
1. Ashley Graham
American model Ashley Graham, born in 1987 in Lincoln, Nebraska, is the best-known plus-size model in the world and one of the faces most associated with body positivity in fashion.
SaveKnown for: In 2016 she became the first plus-size model on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and the same year Mattel released a Barbie doll in her likeness. She has covered Vogue, published the memoir A New Model (2017) and works as a TV host and designer.
2. Paloma Elsesser
Born in London in 1992 and raised in Los Angeles, Paloma Elsesser was discovered on Instagram by makeup artist Pat McGrath. She has since become one of the most in-demand models of any size.
SaveKnown for: She covered US Vogue in January 2021 and British Vogue‘s “New Supers” issue in 2023, and was named Model of the Year at the 2023 Fashion Awards, the first plus-size model to win. Her campaigns include Fenty Beauty, Nike and Proenza Schouler, and she walked the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
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3. Precious Lee
Atlanta-born Precious Lee is one of the defining faces of high-fashion curve modeling.
SaveKnown for: In 2016 she became the first Black plus-size model in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She was the first Black curve model to walk for Versace, has walked for Fendi and Moschino, appeared in the 2023 Pirelli Calendar and covered both US and British Vogue.
4. Jill Kortleve
Dutch model Jill Kortleve has become a regular on the Paris and Milan runways.
SaveKnown for: In 2020 she became the first curve model to walk for Chanel in a decade. She covered US Vogue in 2020 and British Vogue‘s “New Supers” issue in 2023, and walked the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
5. Yumi Nu
American model and musician Yumi Nu, who is of Japanese heritage, has broken several barriers for Asian representation in fashion.
SaveKnown for: She was the first Asian plus-size model in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue (2021) and landed the issue’s cover in 2022. She has also covered US and Japanese Vogue.
6. Hunter McGrady
Los Angeles native Hunter McGrady is a familiar face to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit readers.
SaveKnown for: She made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2017 and appeared on the magazine’s 60th-anniversary “Legends” cover in 2024. She designs the size-inclusive line All Worthy for QVC and was the first plus-size cover star of The Knot.
7. Robyn Lawley
Australian model Robyn Lawley, from New South Wales, was one of the first curve models to break into high fashion.
SaveKnown for: She was the debut face of Violeta by Mango, covered Vogue Italia in 2011 and was the first plus-size model to feature in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2015. She was also the first plus-size model in a Ralph Lauren campaign.
8. Candice Huffine
American model Candice Huffine, from Maryland, started modeling as a young teenager and has worked for more than two decades.
SaveKnown for: She shared the famous June 2011 Vogue Italia cover with Tara Lynn and Robyn Lawley, and in 2015 she became the first plus-size woman in the Pirelli Calendar. A keen runner, she founded the size-inclusive activewear brand Day/Won.
9. Tess Holliday
Mississippi-born Tess Holliday is a model, author and one of the loudest voices in body positivity.
SaveKnown for: She started the #EffYourBeautyStandards movement in 2013, signed with MiLK Model Management in 2015 and covered People and Cosmopolitan UK. She has worked with brands including H&M, Torrid and Benefit.
10. Iskra Lawrence
British model Iskra Lawrence, from Wolverhampton, built one of the biggest followings of any curve model by sharing unretouched photos.
SaveKnown for: She was an Aerie #AerieREAL role model for seven years, has modeled for Adore Me and was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2016 and to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list in 2019. She is also a popular plus-size lingerie model.
11. Barbie Ferreira
New York-born Barbie Ferreira started modeling through an American Apparel open casting before moving into acting.
SaveKnown for: Her unretouched Aerie campaign went viral in 2016, and she modeled for brands like Adidas, H&M and Target. She is now best known as an actress, playing Kat in HBO’s Euphoria and starring in films such as Nope and Bob Trevino Likes It.
12. Denise Bidot
Miami-born Denise Bidot, of Puerto Rican heritage, is one of the best-known Latina curve models.
SaveKnown for: In 2014 she became the first plus-size model to walk for two straight-size designers in the same New York Fashion Week. Her unretouched Lane Bryant swim ad went viral in 2016, and she founded the “There Is No Wrong Way to Be a Woman” movement. She has also worked with Old Navy, Target, Levi’s and Nordstrom.
13. Tara Lynn
American model Tara Lynn, born in Tacoma, Washington, was one of the first curve models to land major fashion-magazine covers.
SaveKnown for: She starred in French Elle‘s first “curvy” issue in 2010 and shared the landmark June 2011 Vogue Italia cover. She has also fronted campaigns for H&M.
14. Devyn Garcia
Miami Beach-born Devyn Garcia is one of the newest curve models to break through in high fashion.
SaveKnown for: Vogue named her one of the breakout models of spring 2022 after shows for Chloé, Jacquemus and Altuzarra. She walked the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and starred in H&M’s summer 2024 campaign.
15. Alva Claire
London-born Alva Claire is one of the UK’s most successful curve models.
SaveKnown for: She was among the first curve models to walk for Versace, covered Elle UK in 2021 and has appeared in Savage X Fenty shows. See more British models.
16. Philomena Kwao
British-Ghanaian model Philomena Kwao was scouted in 2012 while studying for a master’s degree in international health management at Imperial College London.
SaveKnown for: She has modeled for Torrid, Lane Bryant, Nordstrom, Evans and Chromat. Outside modeling, she founded The Lily Project and is an ambassador for Women for Women International.
17. Kate Wasley
Perth-born Kate Wasley is one of Australia’s best-known curve models and a body-positivity advocate.
SaveKnown for: She was a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit rookie in 2018 and co-runs the body-positivity platform Any Body with fellow model Georgia Gibbs. Discover more Australian models.
18. Nadia Aboulhosn
Lebanese-American blogger, model and designer Nadia Aboulhosn comes from Orlando, Florida.
SaveKnown for: She won American Apparel’s XL model search in 2011, designed collections with Boohoo and Addition Elle in 2015 and launched her own label in 2017.
19. Flúvia Lacerda
Brazilian model Flúvia Lacerda, born in Rio de Janeiro, was discovered on a New York City bus while working as a nanny.
SaveKnown for: Nicknamed “the Gisele Bündchen of plus-size,” she has appeared in Vogue Italia and in 2016 became the first plus-size model on the cover of Playboy Brazil.
20. Georgia Pratt
New Zealand model Georgia Pratt, from Auckland, trained in design before moving to New York to model.
SaveKnown for: She has appeared in Lane Bryant’s #PlusIsEqual campaign, walked for Christian Siriano at New York Fashion Week and modeled for Lonely Lingerie.
21. Tabria Majors
Nashville’s Tabria Majors is a model and swimwear designer who campaigns for inclusive sizing.
SaveKnown for: She was a 2018 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit finalist through the magazine’s open casting call, founded the “Make It In My Size” initiative and has designed swimwear with Cupshe and Fashion To Figure.
22. Jocelyn Corona
Mexican-American model Jocelyn Corona made her runway debut for Chromat at New York Fashion Week in 2015.
SaveKnown for: She has covered Elle México, was named a HOLA! USA Latina Powerhouse in 2024 and made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut in 2026 with a shoot in Loreto, Mexico.
23. Bishamber Das
British model Bishamber Das, of Indian and Malaysian heritage, was billed as Britain’s first Asian plus-size model.
SaveKnown for: She has been a face of Yours Clothing and starred in an eBay campaign in 2016, and speaks often about representation for South Asian women in fashion.
24. Inga Eiríks
Icelandic model Inga Eiríks (Inga Eiriksdottir) is based in New York.
SaveKnown for: She co-founded ALDA, a collective of curve models that signed with IMG in 2014, and was the unretouched face of the skincare brand Feel Iceland.
25. Jessica Vander Leahy
Sydney-born Jessica Vander Leahy is an Australian curve model and writer based in New York.
SaveKnown for: She founded the online platform Project WomanKIND and has written for Cosmopolitan and Elle.
26. Brielle Anyea
American model Brielle Anyea is a swimwear entrepreneur as well as a curve model.
SaveKnown for: She was a 2020 Sports Illustrated Swim Search finalist and founded the size-inclusive swimwear brand Misses Brie Swim.
FAQs About Plus-Size Models
Who is the most famous plus-size model?
Ashley Graham is the most famous plus-size model in the world. Her 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover made her a household name. Paloma Elsesser and Precious Lee are the biggest names in high fashion right now.
What size is a plus-size model?
Most plus-size or curve models wear a US size 12 or above, although some agencies start their curve boards at around a size 10. There’s no single official cutoff.
Who was the first plus-size model on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover?
Ashley Graham, in 2016. Robyn Lawley was the first plus-size model to appear inside the issue, in 2015, and Precious Lee was the first Black plus-size model in it, in 2016.
Final Thoughts
The models on this list have changed what a fashion model looks like, from Vogue covers to Chanel and Versace runways. Many have built businesses too, from activewear to swimwear. For more, see our lists of plus-size male models and plus-size runway models.
