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Plus-size model

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Plus-size model is the general term used to describe female fashion models who wear dress size 12 or higher (in North American sizing). Plus-size modeling is growing worldwide, with agency divisions being created to specifically locate and develop potential models to serve the apparel industry. High fashion designers are also starting to look more closely at the earning potential from this sector of the industry and have started booking plus-size models for their advertising images and showings. Jean-Paul Gaultier and John Galliano both cast plus-size models in their Spring 2006 showings in Paris.

Plus-size models who acquire mass-market recognizability are sometimes referred to as plus-size supermodels. Emme (Melissa) Aronson is acknowledged as the first plus-size model to achieve household recognition in the United States, due partly to being chosen for a Revlon cosmetics campaign, as well as appearing nude in People magazine in 1997, and appearing twice in their 50 Most Beautiful People lists.

Celebrities who wear plus-size clothing have increasingly been attracting endorsement contracts as advertisers seek to extend size-acceptance into the film, TV and music industries. One example of this trend is Dana Owens, a.k.a. Queen Latifah who appears in on-going advertising for Cover Girl cosmetics. Canadian actress Christina Schmidt appears in the popular TV series, Degrassi: The Next Generation as a plus size-model, and currently models for Torrid Inc.

Some people view the advent of plus-size modeling as a revival of the voluptuous Classical ideal of feminine beauty, as defined by sculptures such as the Venus de Medici and the Winged Victory of Samothrace--i.e., the aesthetic ideal that generally prevailed throughout Western history, until well into the twentieth century, when more androgynous standards began to emerge.

Past and present models for plus-size clothing include:

Main U.S. plus-size model agencies (*password protected):

Model's own or fan-run websites:

Websites providing information for women interested in becoming plus-size models:

Online communities for full-figured women that employ plus-size models:

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