 | Ashley Graham
She was thirteen years old when she started working as a plus model. Today, at size 16 she is one of the busiest Ford+ represented model. Ashley Graham has appeared in magazines such as Vogue and Latina and works regularly for American Apparel, Macy's, Target, Bloomingdales, Old Navy, and Lane Bryant. She gained international recognition last year when ABC refused to air the Lane Bryant Cacique commercial featuring her wearing a bra and panties. |
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Tocarra Jones
She was modeling before she participated in the third cycle of America's Next Top Model. Tocarra Jones has gone on to host or star in other reality television shows since then but still models for fashion magazines like Italian Vogue and Essence. She has modeled clothes for Torrid, Ashley Stewart and Target. |
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Whitney Thompson
She was the first plus size model to win America's Next Top Model (it only took ten cycles). She went on to sign a contract with Elite Model Management and then Wilhelmina and has been working steady for Cover Girl, JC Penny, Saks Fifth Avenue, Torrid and Fashion Bug ever since. Whitney Thompson an active tweeter and has her own jewellery and candle line. She recently got naked for Love Your Body Day. |
 | Danielle Line
She is a plus size mom and wife as well as a plus size model. She has been seen extensively on Sealed With a Kiss (SwakDesigns) website as well as SizeAppeal, Zaftique, Hips and Curves, and Junonia. Maybe it is a blonde thing but I cannot get enough of looking at her. |
 | Fluvia Lacerda
She is a Brazilian model with flava. She has been described as the "plus size version of Gisele Bundchen" but honestly, I think she is ten times better. Fluvia Lacerda has virtually become the face (and body) of Monif C, Igigi, and Eliza Parker fashions but she has appeared for Sydney's Closet, Biluzik, Kmart, and Sears. Last year she starred in the film short "16" shot by fashion photographer Mark De Paola. She is also the first plus size model to appear Brazilian Playboy. |
 | Rosie Mercado
She is pretty new to me this past year and I cannot get over how completely stunning this woman is and really quite a chameleon in each of her photo shoots. She represented Nevada in Miss Plus America. But I really fell in love with her when I saw her talking in the short film clip "Declare To The World 'I Am Beautiful!'" for IGIGI By Yuliya Raquel. When Rosie Mercado is not modeling she is a professional make-up artist (with her own make-up line, Bellisima) and a spokes person. |
 | Kasia Pilewicz
She is another model from America's Next Top Model (cycle 16). She appeared in an awesome body issue for V magazine as well as Glamour and Seventeen. Kasia Pilewicz has worn fashions for Target and Macy's. |
 | Leona Palmer
She is a Wilhelmina model and writer for the Huffington Post. She has modeled for Playtex, Nordstrom, Macy's, Bloomingdales, and Kohls. If it were not for Madison Plus Magazine I probably would not have taken note of this Wisconsin native but now my eyes are attuned to her natural good looks. |
 | Tara Lynn
She seems to be everywhere these days but it was when she appeared in the Size Issue for V Magazine and French Elle (including cover) that I really took notice. Tara Lynn is signed with both Ford and Heffner Management. Most recently she has modeled swimwear for H&M. |
 | Mia Amber Davis
When I initially planned this article Mia Amber was one of the first names that came to mind. This beautiful goddess has been an inspiration to many women of all sizes. Unfortunately in May of 2011 she passed away due to complications following knee surgery. I thought about removing her from the list because she cannot be requested for future jobs but then I realized she will live on through the internet and anyone doing a search will come across many inspiration photos and videos of this gorgeous woman. I strongly believe she will be a role for years to come even though her image has been frozen in time. Mia Amber modeled extensively for Monif C and had a scene stealing cameo in the movie Road Trip where she seduces DJ Qualls. |
