Plus-size women have been on magazine covers for more than a decade, but men’s fashion has been slower to catch up. That’s changing: big agencies now run dedicated big & tall divisions, and brands from Target to Savage X Fenty cast larger men in their campaigns.
These are 9 of the best-known plus-size male models, the men who have helped make bigger bodies a normal part of menswear advertising. We’ve focused on what each one is actually known for: agencies, campaigns and firsts.
What Is a Plus-Size Male Model?
A plus-size male model, often called a big & tall or “brawn” model, wears larger sizes than the standard menswear samples. There’s no fixed cutoff, but most wear around XL and up, or a jacket size of 44 or more. Some are big and tall, some are broad and muscular, and some are simply heavier than the classic runway model.
The category took off in 2016, when IMG Models launched its “Brawn” division for larger men. London’s Bridge Models and New York’s Wilhelmina also represent big & tall models.
Famous Plus-Size Male Models
1. Zach Miko
American model and actor Zach Miko is often called the face of the big & tall modeling movement.
SaveKnown for: His Target campaign for Mossimo in 2015 led to his signing as the first model in IMG Models’ “Brawn” division in March 2016, the same agency that represents Gigi Hadid and Kate Moss. He has since appeared in ads for Allstate, Progressive and ESPN.
2. Kelvin Davis
Kelvin Davis, from Columbia, South Carolina, is a model, author and speaker who started the style blog Notoriously Dapper to show that bigger men can dress well.
SaveKnown for: He has modeled for Target, Old Navy, DXL and Chubbies, and was one of the men in Aerie’s 2016 #AerieMAN campaign. Today he works full-time as a content creator, author and body-positivity speaker.
3. Brett Morse
Welsh athlete Brett Morse, from Penarth, is a rare model who has also competed at the Olympics.
SaveKnown for: A discus thrower, he represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics and won four British titles. Signed to Bridge Models, he has modeled for Levi’s, River Island and Dressmann. He now works as a sports performance coach in Cardiff.
4. Alex Frankel
San Francisco-raised Alex Frankel is a professional opera singer as well as a model.
SaveKnown for: Signed to Wilhelmina’s big & tall division, he has been reported as Lululemon’s first big & tall model. He also founded the Hot Fat Guy Club, a community for bigger men.
5. Steven G.
Kansas City’s Steven Green, who models as Steven G., is one of the most recognizable big & tall models of recent years.
SaveKnown for: Signed to Bridge Models, he broke through in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty campaign in 2020, which went viral for its body-inclusive casting.
6. Raul Samuel
London-based Raul Samuel is one of the UK’s best-known big & tall models.
SaveKnown for: Represented by Bridge Models, he starred in a boohooMAN campaign shown across the London Underground in 2019 and has modeled for Jacamo.
7. Nemar Parchment
Nemar Parchment is a curve model who brings an editorial, high-fashion edge to the category.
SaveKnown for: Signed to IMG Models, he has worked with ASOS, H&M, Dazed and John Hardy.
8. Mathias Kissi
Mathias Kissi is one of the few plus-size men walking in Paris.
SaveKnown for: He walked the Fall/Winter 2025 shows for Rick Owens and LGN Louis Gabriel Nouchi in Paris, where plus-size men are still rare on the runway.
9. AJ Buitendijk
Dutch model AJ Buitendijk, from Den Bosch, combines modeling with work as a DJ.
SaveKnown for: He has been represented by Euromodel in Amsterdam and Curve in Hamburg, and has appeared in Grazia.
How Big Men Can Borrow Their Style
A few tips these models use again and again:
- Fit first: Clothes that fit at the shoulders and are tailored through the body look sharper than oversized pieces.
- Structured layers: An unbuttoned overshirt, blazer or chore jacket adds clean vertical lines.
- Dark, matte fabrics for trousers and outerwear, with color or print up top near the face.
- Grooming: A well-shaped beard and a defined haircut frame the face. See our haircuts for men with round faces.
FAQs About Plus-Size Male Models
Who is the most famous plus-size male model?
Zach Miko is usually named the most famous. He was the first model signed to IMG’s big & tall “Brawn” division in 2016.
Which agencies represent plus-size male models?
IMG Models, Bridge Models in London and Wilhelmina all represent big & tall men. Several European agencies, such as Curve in Hamburg, also have plus-size men’s boards.
Final Thoughts
Plus-size men are still under-represented in fashion, but these models have shown that bigger bodies sell clothes and belong in campaigns. For the women leading the same change, see our list of the most famous plus-size models, and read about plus-size runway models.
