You’ve seen them on runways, in magazines, and on Instagram-women with curves, full hips, soft bellies, and strong thighs. They’re not just models. They’re changing the game. But what are they actually called? If you’ve ever typed ‘chubby models’ into Google, you’ve probably gotten confused by mixed results. Some sites call them ‘plus-size.’ Others say ‘curve.’ A few even say ‘fat models.’ So which one’s right? Let’s cut through the noise.
They’re Not Called ‘Chubby Models’-Here’s What’s Actually Used
The term ‘chubby’ isn’t used in professional fashion circles. It’s casual, sometimes even dismissive. It sounds like a compliment from your aunt, not a modeling category. In the industry, you’ll hear three main terms: plus-size models, curve models, and body diversity models.
‘Plus-size models’ is the most common label. It refers to models who wear sizes 12 and up in the U.S. (or 16+ in the UK). Brands like Savage X Fenty, Aerie, and Universal Standard built their entire campaigns around these women. They’re not ‘trying to be thin’-they’re just models, period.
‘Curve models’ is another term you’ll see often, especially in editorial shoots. It’s less about size and more about shape. A curve model might have a defined waist, full hips, and a rounded bust-think Ashley Graham or Paloma Elsesser. This term avoids the clinical feel of ‘plus-size’ and leans into aesthetics.
And then there’s ‘body diversity.’ That’s not a size category-it’s a movement. It’s the push to include all body types: tall, short, thin, muscular, disabled, pregnant, and yes-curvy. Brands that use this term aren’t just ticking a box. They’re saying, ‘Beauty isn’t one size.’
Why the Shift From ‘Chubby’ to ‘Plus-Size’?
Let’s be honest: ‘chubby’ has baggage. It’s often used in a cute, joking way-but it still carries the idea that being larger is an exception. Like you’re surprised someone with curves is on a runway. That’s not empowerment. That’s tokenism.
The change started in the early 2010s. When Ashley Graham walked for Lane Bryant in 2014, she didn’t say, ‘I’m a chubby model.’ She said, ‘I’m a model.’ And the industry had to catch up. By 2020, Vogue ran a cover story titled ‘The Rise of the Curve Model.’ No mention of ‘chubby.’
Today, agencies like IMG Models, Ford Models, and Wilhelmina all have dedicated plus-size divisions. They don’t list ‘chubby’ as a category. They list size ranges: 12-20, 16-24, etc. It’s professional. It’s clear. And it respects the model’s identity.
What Do These Models Actually Do?
Plus-size and curve models don’t just do swimwear shoots. They walk for Calvin Klein, star in Sephora ads, and front campaigns for Nike. They’re in editorial spreads for Harper’s Bazaar and Elle. They’re not ‘niche’ anymore-they’re mainstream.
Take Devyn Garcia. She’s a size 16 model who walked for Chromat at New York Fashion Week in 2023. Her portfolio includes high-fashion editorials, beauty campaigns, and even a national TV commercial. She doesn’t call herself ‘chubby.’ She calls herself a model.
Or consider Tess Holliday, who was the first plus-size model to land a cover of British Vogue in 2021. She’s worked with MAC Cosmetics, H&M, and even designed her own clothing line. Her success wasn’t because she was ‘chubby.’ It was because she had presence, confidence, and a killer runway walk.
The truth? These models do the same work as any other model. They pose, they walk, they smile, they sell. The only difference? Their bodies are real-and that’s what makes them powerful.
Where Are These Models Found? Dubai and Beyond
In Dubai, the modeling scene has shifted fast. Five years ago, you’d rarely see a curve model in local campaigns. Today? Brands like Lulus, Modanisa, and even local designers like Rami Al Ali regularly cast models with curves. Dubai Fashion Week now includes plus-size segments, and agencies like Model Management Dubai have dedicated curve divisions.
It’s not just the Gulf. In Lagos, Lagos Fashion Week features models of all sizes. In São Paulo, curvy models dominate billboards. Even in Tokyo, where slimness has long been the standard, brands like Uniqlo and Muji now feature diverse bodies in their ads.
The global shift is real. And it’s not because of trendiness. It’s because consumers demanded it. A 2023 study by McKinsey found that 68% of women in the Middle East and North Africa said they felt represented by brands that showed diverse bodies. That’s not a small number. That’s a market.
How to Find a Plus-Size Model Agency in Dubai
If you’re looking to sign with an agency-or hire one-here’s where to start:
- Model Management Dubai - Has a dedicated curve division and works with regional brands.
- Elite Model Management UAE - Casts plus-size models for international clients.
- Qatar Models Agency - Represents models across the GCC, including curvy talent.
- Local designers - Many Emirati designers like Reem Al Hashemi and Amal Al Maktoum work directly with curve models for runway shows.
Don’t just Google ‘chubby models in Dubai.’ Search for ‘plus-size modeling agencies Dubai’ or ‘curve models UAE.’ You’ll get better, more professional results.
What to Expect When You Book a Session
Working with a curve model isn’t different from working with any other model-but here’s what’s special:
- They often come with their own styling team. Many have built relationships with designers who make clothes that fit their shape.
- Photoshoots focus on silhouette, not just skin. Lighting and angles are chosen to highlight curves, not hide them.
- They’re used to posing in ways that celebrate their bodies. No awkward ‘suck in’ instructions here.
- Most are vocal about boundaries. They’ll tell you if a pose feels objectifying. Respect that.
And yes-many of them have tattoos, stretch marks, cellulite, and scars. That’s not a flaw. It’s part of their story. And the best photographers know how to make that look powerful, not ‘imperfect.’
Costs and Booking: What You Need to Know
Plus-size models aren’t cheaper. They’re not more expensive. Their rates depend on experience, not size.
In Dubai, a mid-level curve model might charge between AED 1,500-4,000 per day for a commercial shoot. Top-tier names like Amal Al Maktoum (who’s also a curve model) can charge AED 15,000+ for a single campaign. That’s on par with any top model.
Booking is the same as any other model: through an agency, portfolio review, and contract. No special ‘curve model’ pricing. No discounts. No premiums. Just fair pay for fair work.
What Not to Do When Hiring a Curve Model
Here are three mistakes brands still make:
- Using them as a ‘token’-putting one curvy model in a sea of thin ones. That’s not diversity. That’s optics.
- Asking them to ‘look thinner’-editing out their curves in post-production. That’s betrayal.
- Only hiring them for ‘body positivity’ campaigns-they can sell luxury watches, tech gadgets, and luxury cars too.
The goal isn’t to make them fit into a mold. It’s to let them be who they are-and let the world see how beautiful that is.
Plus-Size vs. Curve Models: What’s the Difference?
| Aspect | Plus-Size Models | Curve Models |
|---|---|---|
| Size Range | Typically US 12-24+ | Typically US 10-18, with hourglass shape |
| Primary Use | Activewear, lingerie, casual fashion | Editorial, high fashion, beauty campaigns |
| Agency Classification | Separate division | Often under ‘commercial’ or ‘editorial’ |
| Typical Client | Aerie, Savage X Fenty, Modanisa | Chanel, Gucci, local Emirati designers |
| Body Focus | Size inclusivity | Shape and proportion |
Think of it this way: ‘Plus-size’ is about size. ‘Curve’ is about shape. Both matter. Both are valid. Both are changing fashion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ‘chubby model’ a professional term?
No. ‘Chubby’ is a casual, sometimes infantilizing term. Professionals use ‘plus-size model,’ ‘curve model,’ or ‘body diversity model.’ Using ‘chubby’ in a portfolio or agency listing can hurt your credibility.
Can anyone become a curve model?
There’s no official height or weight requirement. Agencies look for confidence, photogenic quality, and the ability to carry a look. Most curve models wear sizes 10-20, but it varies by brand and region. If you have strong presence and a portfolio, agencies will take notice.
Do curve models get paid less than thin models?
Not anymore. In Dubai and globally, top curve models earn the same as any other top model. Pay is based on experience, exposure, and demand-not body size. The myth that they’re paid less is outdated and inaccurate.
Are there male plus-size models?
Yes. Male plus-size models are growing in demand, especially in swimwear, underwear, and streetwear. Brands like ASOS, Zara, and local UAE labels like Maje Dubai now feature men with broader builds. They’re called ‘plus-size men’s models’ or ‘big and tall models.’
Why do some models refuse the ‘plus-size’ label?
Because they don’t want to be defined by their size. Many say, ‘I’m a model who happens to have curves.’ They want to be seen for their work, not their measurements. That’s why terms like ‘body diversity’ are gaining ground-they focus on inclusion, not categories.
Final Thought: It’s Not About the Label. It’s About the Look.
At the end of the day, fashion isn’t about fitting into a size. It’s about expressing who you are. Whether you’re a size 6 or a size 24, your value as a model isn’t in your waistline-it’s in your presence, your energy, your ability to tell a story.
So if you’re searching for ‘chubby models,’ stop. Look for models who own their bodies. Look for the ones who walk into a room and own it. Those are the ones changing the industry.
December 6, 2025 AT 18:38
Look i get it you wanna be woke but calling someone a ‘curve model’ is just fancy talk for fat. You think changing the name makes it better? Nah. It’s still the same body. People just got tired of being lied to with fancy words. Plus-size? Fine. Curve? Okay. But don’t act like ‘chubby’ is some slur when half the internet still uses it to describe their cousin at Thanksgiving. This isn’t a revolution-it’s a rebrand. And i’m not buying it.
Also why are we pretending these models are breaking barriers? They’ve been around since the 90s. Remember Kate Moss? She wasn’t thin, she was just small. Now everyone’s screaming about ‘body diversity’ like it’s new. It’s not. We just finally noticed because the ads got louder.
And don’t get me started on Dubai. You think they care about ‘inclusion’? They care about selling abayas that fit. Same as everywhere else. It’s money, not morality.
Stop pretending language fixes everything. Fix the pay. Fix the casting. Fix the lighting. Stop renaming the problem.
And yeah i know i’m being a contrarian. But someone’s gotta say it.