#ModelMonday: 9 Curvy Models Taking the Modeling Industry by Storm

Hey Loves!

We are almost through the month of May! How are you feeling going into the halfway mark? Let me know in the comments below. This week I'm continuing to highlight body diversity in the modeling industry. This article comes from Vanessa Helmer and covers groundbreaking curvy models in the industry. Check out the full story below.

Fresh faces are changing the modeling world and broadening the scope of body types we see on the runway and in fashion magazines. Curvy models are dominating magazine covers this year, and we even saw the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition feature curvy models for the first time. The public rejoiced, and it has only encouraged the industry to continue to expand. Modeling agencies and scouts welcome all body types and looks, and the success of so many curvy models showcases this fact. While there are several new curvy models on the scene, here are nine who are taking over.

 

1. Georgina Burke

In 2014, Georgina Burke was named the face of Torrid, and her star has been rising ever since. Although she initially began modeling in London, she found greater success upon moving to New York. Burke has also modeled for Addition-Elle, JustFabPLus, Teen Vogue, and Vogue Italia.

 

2. Denise Bidot

Denise Bidot is a model and TV personality known for inspiring a body positivity movement along with starring in campaigns for Nordstrom, Target, Macy’s, Lane Bryant, and Forever 21. She first made a name for herself when she was dubbed the first “plus-sized” model to walk in NYFW for two traditionally straight-sized brands. Bidot uses her modeling success as a platform to spread her message: “Being you is what defines real beauty.” 

3. Clémentine Desseaux

Clementine Desseaux first rose to modeling fame when she was featured on the Christian Louboutin Instagram page modeling a lipstick from the brand. Followers quickly took to her gorgeous, freckled look and her career took off. Desseaux moved to America from Paris in 2012 in search of more modeling opportunities, and it is evident she has found them! Desseaux has been featured in American Apparel and Castaluna ads.

4. Philomena Kwao

Ghanian-British model Philomena Kwao is making a name for herself ever since she won a U.K. model search after completing a Masters Degree in International Health Management. While she had planned to pursue a career in health management, her modeling career took off instead. She has since been dubbed the face of the fashion line Torrid, has modeled for fellow model Ashley Graham’s lingerie line, and has been seen in major magazines like i-D. This year, she was also seen in a #SwimsuitsForAll campaign in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Kwao is also one of the founders of the Lily Project: a charitable initiative meant to pair young women with mentors they can reach via online chat.

 

5.  Myla Delbesio

Myla Delbesio won Miss Teen America in 2004 and was scouted as a model at the same time. After being turned away from “straight-sized” modeling agencies, she was eventually scouted as a plus-size model by Ford modeling agency, although she prefers not to categorize herself. She’s been seen in Vogue India, Elle France, Viva Moda, and Elle Italia but garnered the most attention when she was hand-picked for the 2014 “Perfectly Fit” Calvin Klein campaign. 

 

6. Erica Jean Schenk

In August 2015, at only 18 years old, Erica Jean Schenk scored the cover of Women’s Running magazine. Her curvy figure was one of the first of its kind to be seen on the cover and Schenk was rewarded with plenty of media attention and praise. Schenk had been modeling professionally since the age of 16 and never expected the kind of reaction she would get for the Women’s Running cover. Schenk has also modeled for Torrid, Slink Jeans, and JC Penney. When she isn’t modeling, Schenk attends Pepperdine University.

 

7. Iskra Lawrence

In February of 2016, the clothing line Aerie launched their #AerieREAL campaign which was centered around being entirely un-photoshopped. Model Iskra Lawrence was selected as the face of the campaign, and stunning images went viral. Lawrence notes that until she realized modeling agencies do accept all body types, her career didn’t take off as it could have if she had embraced her body type. Lawrence has since created a website devoted to showcasing unedited modeling photos.

 

8. Barbie Ferreira

Growing up Barbie Ferreira was deeply insecure about her body. She thought that her curvy frame would prevent her from achieving her dream of becoming an actor or model. Her courageous decision to stand up to the haters and go after her dream has proven to be a life-changing decision. When unretouched photos of Barbie were featured in an aerie Real ad, she became an overnight sensation.  She now has 295,000 Instagram followers and is one of the ones to watch.

9. Marquita Pring

Marquita Pring has been a familiar name in the curvy modeling industry since she walked in a Jean Paul Gaultier show in 2011 when she was only 19. Since then, she was done multiple Levi’s campaigns, Lane Bryant ads, and has even appeared in a 10-page editorial in a very popular edition of Italian Vogue that showcased four curvy models.