Black Plus Size Models (Black BBW)
As the fashion industry makes good on its promise to become more inclusive, more plus-size models of color are strutting their way down runways and appearing in global ad campaigns.
Newer faces join old staples for brands like Miu Miu, Christian Siriano, Prabal Gurung, and many more.
Making Strides in Fashion
The average American woman is between a size 16 and 18, and for the first time, the 2020 Census showed that the non-white population is growing faster than ever.
Yet plus-sized black women don’t always see themselves represented in fashion, from the ads to the designs themselves.
Plus-sized women have often been limited to shapeless garments lacking style. These black BBW are changing the face of fashion, making style accessible to all.
Top 8 Black Plus Size Models
Precious Lee
No list of black plus-size models would be complete without Precious Lee.
Since she burst on the scene walking in Milan Fashion Week, this black plus-size model has graced campaigns for Christian Siriano, Moschino, and Versace, among others.
She is also very outspoken about plus-size visibility within the industry. She wants to help others feel good about themselves, inspiring her 291,000 Instagram followers.
Nyomi Nicholas-Williams
Following an outpouring of support from her fan base, Nyomie Nicholas-Williams got Instagram to change its nudity policy after the platform removed a photo.
Since then, this black BBW has used her platform as a way to inspire others to be themselves.
She grew her following modeling for clients, including Vogue Italia and Dove. She continues to speak out, talking about body positivity for Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, and many more.
Arame Fall
At 27, Arame Fall’s list of accomplishments is already impressive. She has appeared in ad campaigns for Savage X Fenty and NYX Cosmetics.
She has also worked for Queen Bey herself, appearing in Beyoncé’s “Black is King.” Fall hailed from Senegal in West Africa and was discovered while participating in a fashion show for a boutique where she’d been working. Along with modeling, she writes poetry.
Gabi Fresh
A former fashion editor, Gabi Fresh is now a voice for plus-sized women throughout the world with her blog and her own fashion line.
Her Instagram following is massive, with over 880 thousand people cheering on her style.
Fresh has created her own fashion collaboration for brands, including Fashion to Figure and Athleta.
The FTF collection offers plus-size women’s pieces that are flattering and fashion-forward.
Kellie Brown
Kellie Brown ditched her career as a marketing executive, embracing her role as a fashion influencer. In 2018, she launched the hashtag #fatatfashionweek as a way to improve visibility for plus-size women in the industry.
She regularly shares her personal style with 150,000 Instagram followers, writes for various fashion magazines, and hosts her own YouTube channel.
Joré Marshall
Another black BBW with ties to Beyoncé, one of Joré Marshall’s credits, includes backup dancing during her Coachella performance.
Following this performance, Marshall has modeled for Savage X Fenty.
While she’s been a dancer for years, working with Pharrell and Rihanna, she has only been modeling for about a year, signing with Storm Models in April of 2021. Look out for more from her as she prepares to take on the fashion industry.
Aspen Cristi
Aspen Cristi signed to btwn in 2020, and her star is rising. She has also modeled for Savage X Fenty and Pretty Little Thing, among others.
Cristi is just as stunning in a simple athletic wear shoot as she is when dolled up in high glam.
She recently posted a shoot for Mugler, in which she channels her inner alien for the company’s latest perfume campaign.
Keep an eye out for this ethereal beauty in magazines for years to come.
Grace Brown
Like Precious Lee, Grace Brown has also strutted the runway for Christian Siriano, and she was featured as a recurring model on “Project Runway.”
Brown has appeared in print campaigns for Calvin Klein and has walked the runway for PatBO.
Her work runs the gamut from lingerie to high fashion. Brown is in high demand because of her beaming smile and ability to connect to the camera.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many successful black BBW models out there who are using their platform to inspire others. If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in modeling, don’t let your size stop you – these women prove that anything is possible!
