These 12 Up-and-Coming Plus-Size Models Are Taking the Industry by Storm

Plus-size models have been making major headlines lately: Ashley Graham in Sports Illustrated, Myla Dalbesio for Calvin Klein, and, most recently, Denise Bidot for Target’s Lilly Pulitzer collection, to name a few. As these plus-size campaigns become more mainstream in fashion and garner more media attention, the world is getting to know plus-size models—but only a fraction of them.

While there are a handful of top plus-size models, there are a plethora of ones you’ve yet to hear about. You know the former because you’ve seen them. I know the latter because I was one: modeling for catalogs and e-commerce jobs, casting my butt off, and trying to forge industry relationships for a chance at the big jobs.

I know all too well that, while most of the industry’s high-profile (and high-fashion) jobs are landed by a handful of the same models, there are hundreds of other models working in fashion capitals around the world. That cadre of diverse and rare beauties are working small jobs, playing with their career strategies, and hustling hard while waiting for their big break. With this month’s #ImNoAngel campaign from Lane Bryant, the mainstream was introduced to some of these new faces—and it got me thinking. It’s about time that we start taking chances on new models!

I’m not alone in hoping that as the burgeoning plus-size market expands and becomes more “normal,” we’ll see a wider range of models at work. Until then, here are the ones I can’t wait to see in the big leagues.

Photo by William Lords

Name: Victoria Lee

Hometown: Atlanta

Instagram: @victorialeexoxo

You may know her from: Lee is making headlines following her appearance in Lane Bryant’s #ImNoAngel campaign.

Photo by William Lords

Name: Carey Murphy

Age: 21

Hometown: Harare, Zimbabwe

Instagram: @careyalyn

You may know her from: Murphy, a relative newcomer, has already appeared alongside Candice Huffine in CR Fashion Book‘s fifth issue by Brigitte Niedermair.

Photo by Petra Collins

Name: Barbara Ferreira

Age: 18

Hometown: New York City

Instagram: @barbienox

You may know her from: You may recognize this social media powerhouse from American Apparel advertising and Petra Collins’ infamous work.

Photo by Lily Cummings

Name: Christina Andrew

Age: 24

Hometown: Miami

Instagram: @ChristinaEA

You may know her from: Andrew is a new favorite of Forever21 and Eloquii. Click Forever21’s home page or sift through an Eloquii look book to see her.

Photo by Rafael Clemente

Name: Iskra Lawrence

Age: 24

Hometown: Worcestershire, England

Instagram: @iamiskra

You may know her from: Lawrence appears in Aerie’s unretouched campaigns and recently made news by implementing the National Eating Disorders Association’s inaugural NEDA Inspires award.

Photo by Erick and Elliot Jiminez

Name: Iman McDonnaugh

Age: 23

Hometown: Long Island, New York

Instagram: @IAmImanM

You may know her from: After landing an Isabel Toledo for Lane Bryant lookbook, McDonnaugh nabbed a (very!) coveted Models.com feature.

Photo by Cass Bird

Name: Elly Mayday

Age: 27

Hometown: Aylesbury, Canada

Instagram: @ellymaydayofficialfanpage

You may know her from: Lane Bryant’s #ImNoAngel campaign also features this inspiring ovarian cancer survivor and activist.

Photo by Lina Tesch

Name: Emma Sanders

Age: 26

Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand

Instagram: @helloemmasanders

You may know her from: Sanders comes to the States by way of New Zealand, Japan, and Germany. She first frequented ASOS and now shoots Lane Bryant swimwear advertising.

Photo by Lily Cummings

Name: Whitney Wells

Age: 24

Hometown: Encinitas, California

Instagram: @whitwells

You may know her from: Wells is e-commerce gold! You’ll find her while shopping Old Navy, Torrid, Lucky Brand Jeans, Fredrick’s of Hollywood, and more.

Photo by Pablo Anton

Name: Jocelyn Corona

Age: 18

Hometown: Mexico City

Instagram: @josscorona

You may know her from: After only six months in the industry, Corona already made waves by walking in Chromat’s FW15 runway show.

Photo by Dijimi Williams

Name: Sabina Karlsson

Age: 26

Hometown: Vyxjo, Sweden

Instagram: @thesabinakarlsson

You may know her from: Karlsson is not a newcomer, but she’s certainly one to watch. You’ll also recognize her from the runways of Chromat and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Photo via Gioia Magazine

Name: Iris Monroe Bakker

Age: 23

Hometown: Enkhuizen, Amsterdam

Instagram: @irismonroe25

You may know her from: After an Elena Miro campaign and the cover of Dutch Elle there’s no ignoring this beauty!

Who’s your favorite up-and-comer?