You’ve seen them on billboards, in magazine spreads, on Instagram feeds-curvy, confident, radiant women owning the runway and the camera. And you’ve probably wondered: How hard is it to get into modeling-especially if you’re plus size?
The truth? It’s not impossible. But it’s not easy, either. And it’s nothing like what you see in the movies.
What Plus Size Modeling Really Means Today
Plus size modeling isn’t just about being ‘bigger’ than the traditional sample size. It’s about representation. Since the early 2010s, brands like Savage X Fenty, Aerie, Target, and Lane Bryant have pushed for real-body diversity. Today, a plus size model typically wears a size 12 or higher in the U.S. (size 16+ in some markets), but the industry now values curves, confidence, and personality over exact numbers.
Major fashion weeks in New York, London, and Milan now regularly feature plus size models. Ashley Graham walked for Victoria’s Secret in 2016-something unthinkable a decade earlier. Tess Holliday became the first plus size model to land a cover of Elle UK in 2017. These weren’t flukes. They were turning points.
But here’s what no one tells you: the industry still has a long way to go. Many agencies still only accept models who fit into a narrow range-say, sizes 14 to 20. And while there’s more demand than ever, competition is fierce. You’re not just competing with other plus size models. You’re competing with a system that still favors thinness in its core.
What It Takes to Get Started
Let’s cut through the noise. You don’t need a perfect body. You don’t need to be a size 24. You don’t need to have been scouted at a mall. What you do need:
- Consistent proportions-Your hips, waist, and bust should be balanced. No one wants a model who looks disproportionate in clothes.
- Strong skin and hair-You don’t need flawless skin, but you need healthy-looking skin. Acne? Fine. Scars? Fine. Dry patches? Not fine. Moisturize. Hydrate. Sleep.
- Photogenic presence-Can you hold a pose? Can you look into the camera and mean it? Can you express emotion without saying a word? Practice in front of a mirror. Take selfies. Watch how your body moves.
- Confidence-This isn’t a cliché. It’s the #1 requirement. If you don’t believe you belong, no one else will.
And yes-you need photos. Not just any photos. You need a professional portfolio with at least 8-10 high-quality shots: full body, half body, face close-up, and one editorial-style look. No filters. No heavy editing. Real skin, real curves.
The Reality of Agencies and Scouting
You won’t get discovered by a talent scout at the grocery store. That’s Hollywood fiction. Real agencies don’t work that way. Most plus size models get signed after submitting their portfolios online.
Here’s the list of agencies that actually work with plus size models right now (as of 2025):
- IMG Models (Plus Size Division)
- Wilhelmina Models (Curves Division)
- Next Model Management (Plus Size)
- Women Management (New York)
- MC2 Model Management (specializes in diverse bodies)
- Model One (London)
Do not pay to be scouted. Do not pay for ‘modeling classes’ or ‘portfolio packages’ unless you’re 100% sure the agency is legit. Legit agencies make money when you do. They take 15-20% commission. That’s it.
Submit your portfolio to one or two of these agencies. Wait. Follow up in two weeks. If you don’t hear back, try again in three months. Rejection isn’t personal. It’s business. Sometimes, they’re full. Sometimes, they’re looking for a specific look. Sometimes, they’re just not ready.
What Jobs Are Actually Available?
Not every modeling job is runway. In fact, runway is rare for plus size models. Here’s what you’re actually going to book:
- Swimwear campaigns-Lingerie, bikinis, one-pieces. Huge demand here.
- Everyday clothing ads-Target, Old Navy, Kohl’s, H&M. These brands need models real people can relate to.
- Beauty and skincare-More brands are using plus size models to show how products work on all skin types.
- Editorial features-Magazines like Cosmopolitan, Allure, and Vogue have started including plus size models in their spreads.
- Social media influencer work-Brands pay influencers to wear their clothes. Many plus size models build careers this way.
Pay ranges from $200 for a local shoot to $10,000+ for a national campaign. Some models make six figures a year. Others make $5,000 a year. It depends on your consistency, your look, and how hard you work.
What You Won’t Be Told
Here’s the ugly part no one talks about:
- You’ll be told you’re ‘too big’ for some jobs-even if you’re a size 16.
- You’ll be asked to lose weight for a shoot. Politely say no. Your body is not negotiable.
- Some photographers will try to ‘fix’ your body in post-production. Don’t let them. Demand authenticity.
- You might get ghosted after a booking. It happens. Don’t take it personally.
- You’ll be compared to other models. You’ll feel like you’re not enough. You are. You always were.
There’s a reason why so many plus size models quit after a year. It’s not because they couldn’t get work. It’s because they got tired of fighting for respect.
Who’s Doing It Right?
Look at women like:
- Iskra Lawrence-Started as an Instagram influencer. Now does global campaigns for Nike and L’Oréal.
- Emme-One of the first plus size models in the 90s. Now runs a successful modeling agency for curvy women.
- Lizzo-Not a traditional model, but she redefined what a fashion icon looks like. She doesn’t need permission.
They didn’t wait for the industry to change. They changed it by showing up-unapologetically.
How to Build Your Brand (Even If You’re Not Signed)
You don’t need an agency to start. You just need:
- A clean Instagram profile with your best photos
- Consistent posting (2-3 times a week)
- Engagement-reply to comments, tag brands, use hashtags like #BodyPositivity, #PlusSizeModel, #RealCurves
- A website or Linktree with your portfolio and contact info
Brands are now searching for models on Instagram. Not agencies. You.
One model I know started posting her daily outfits in 2022. By 2024, she had 80K followers. She got a contract with a swimwear brand that paid her $8,000 for a single campaign. No agency. No agent. Just her.
Comparison: Plus Size Modeling vs. Traditional Modeling
| Factor | Plus Size Modeling | Traditional Modeling |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Size Range | US 12-24 | US 0-8 |
| Primary Markets | Swimwear, lingerie, everyday fashion | High fashion, runway, luxury brands |
| Agency Access | Limited but growing | Highly competitive, saturated |
| Payment Range (Per Job) | $200-$10,000+ | $500-$50,000+ |
| Body Requirements | Curves, proportion, confidence | Extremely slim, specific measurements |
| Industry Growth (2025) | Rapidly expanding | Declining in mainstream |
Notice something? The traditional model path is shrinking. The plus size path? It’s growing. Fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a certain height to be a plus size model?
Height requirements are more flexible than you think. For commercial work (like ads for Target or H&M), you can be anywhere from 5’4” to 5’10”. For runway, you’ll usually need to be 5’7” or taller. But many brands don’t care about height anymore-they care about how you look in their clothes.
Can I be a plus size model if I have stretch marks or cellulite?
Absolutely. In fact, brands now prefer real skin. Stretch marks? Fine. Cellulite? Fine. Scars? Fine. The most powerful campaigns today show bodies as they are. The days of airbrushing every curve into oblivion are over. If a brand asks you to edit out your natural skin, walk away.
How long does it take to get signed by an agency?
It varies. Some get signed in a month. Others wait a year. It depends on your look, your portfolio, and timing. Don’t get discouraged. Keep improving your photos. Keep applying. Keep showing up. One submission might be the one.
Can I do this part-time while working another job?
Yes. Most plus size models start this way. You’ll book weekend shoots, evening photoshoots, or local campaigns. It’s not a 9-to-5. It’s flexible. But if you want to make it a career, you’ll eventually need to treat it like one-showing up, following up, and putting in the work.
Is modeling only for women?
No. The industry is slowly opening up to plus size male models too. Brands like Universal Standard and ASOS are casting men sizes 2XL and up. It’s less common, but it’s happening. If you’re a plus size man interested in modeling, start building your portfolio now.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Getting In. It’s About Staying.
Getting into modeling isn’t the hard part. The hard part is staying. It’s showing up when no one’s watching. It’s saying no to brands that don’t respect you. It’s posting your photo even when you feel insecure. It’s believing you belong-even when the world says you don’t.
Plus size modeling isn’t a trend. It’s a movement. And you don’t need permission to join.
