(This article was originally written by me and published on Refinery29.)
Say the word “supermodel” and one immediately thinks of women like Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Iman, etc. But with the broadening body- acceptance movement and the increase of full-figure fashion, the general public is being exposed to supermodels of a different size.
They may have been dubbed “plus-size” models (seriously, we should just call them models!) but these beautiful women prove that they can hold their own among the under-size-4 set. Whether they’re starring in banned commercials or strutting down haute couture runways, these are some of the hottest size 14+ supermodels in the biz.
Tara Lynn — Tara Lynn radiates sex appeal, regardless of if she’s swathed in a black tankini for H&M’s plus-size line or dressed only in stilettos and red lipstick in V magazine and Vogue Italia.
Photo: Courtesy of Tara Lynn/Marcin Tyszka
Fluvia Lacerda — Dubbed the “plus-size Gisele Bündchen,” Lacerda is one of the most delicious Brazilian exports since cane sugar. Besides modeling for Torrid and Monif C., she has also recently collaborated with La Mafê on a plus-size collection called De onde eu vim (Where I come from).
Photo: Courtesy of Fluvia Lacerda
Ashley Graham — Who ever thought curves could create such a scandal? Plus-size women everywhere found out just how controversial their curves could be with the banning of Ashley Graham’s Lane Bryant lingerie commercial. You can view the commercial here.
Photo: Via Ford Models
Tess Munster — Whoever said models have to be toweringly tall and beanpole thin? Standing 5’4” and wearing above a size 20, Munster has utilized her unique beauty to destroy stereotypes with her modeling career.
Photo: Courtesy of Tess Munster
Candice Huffine — After ignoring the suggestion to lose weight at age 14, Candice Huffine went on to model for a multitude of well-known brands and magazines, from Bare Necessities and Torrid to Vogue Italia and V magazine.
Photo: Via Ford Models
Velvet D’Amour — Whether a press ploy, a response to the strict negativity against super-skinny models, or just his love of the female form, Jean Paul Gaultier sent model Velvet D’Amour down his spring ‘07 runway in skimpy lingerie. While still modeling, D’Amour has also stepped behind the lens, as well as launched the magazine Vol-Up-2.
Photo: Courtesy of Velevet D’Amour