As women of color, our desire for representation in various spheres, including fashion, is paramount. If you haven’t experienced the eye-rolling frustration of seeing a mainstream news outlet’s list of so-called body positive icons, then consider yourself fortunate. These lists often circulate every few weeks, and it’s striking that many of these so-called icons rarely exceed a size 8. Even more disheartening is the frequent absence of women of color; often, there’s only one included or none at all. While I wholeheartedly support the recognition of individuals who challenge conventional beauty standards, I firmly believe that without the inclusion of women of color, these lists fail to represent true diversity and inclusivity in the beauty spectrum.
This raises a critical question: Are such lists genuinely challenging traditional beauty standards, or are they merely perpetuating the same narrow ideals they claim to disrupt? Our voices have often been marginalized in this discourse, and the lack of financial resources to effectively promote our narratives only intensifies the erasure we experience in this space.
This list has been crafted collaboratively with our Editor-in-Chief, Marie, along with Madeline Figueroa-Jones, the Editor-in-Chief of Plus Model Magazine, and Chenese Lewis, a prominent plus model, host, and spokesperson.
Figueroa-Jones Calls for Greater Inclusion and Unity in Body Positivity
When discussing the glaring absence of inclusion in these narratives, Figueroa-Jones emphasizes the need for a more unified and inclusive approach. “Body positivity is a lifestyle that encompasses much more than what is typically showcased on social media,” she explains. “There are numerous ways for all of us to advocate for a body-positive lifestyle for ourselves and those around us. I never want anyone to feel excluded from this movement simply because they lack a platform or a following.”
“Unity is the key to furthering this movement!”
– Madeline Figueroa Jones
Figueroa-Jones continues, “The success of the body positivity movement can be attributed to the daily support from both women and men who champion those of us willing to share our stories. This community’s backing has empowered us to create meaningful change.”
Chenese Lewis points out that the issue of underrepresentation is not a new challenge within the plus size fashion industry. “Every decade has witnessed pivotal influencers in the plus size movement, with women of color consistently leading the charge. However, the corporate landscape is still lacking, as there are few women of color in top leadership roles within companies whose brands directly impact the plus size segment. This lack of diversity reflects broader societal trends, highlighting that women of color constitute a significant portion of the workforce yet remain underrepresented in corporate America.”
Many women of color who have made significant contributions to body positivity and plus size fashion often have to exceed expectations just to be acknowledged, frequently facing the harsh reality of being overlooked for opportunities that favor more privileged candidates. Despite the increasing mainstream media attention on plus size fashion, women of color are still not receiving the same level of exposure as their white counterparts.
In honor of these groundbreaking contributions, we present our list of 25 remarkable women of color who have paved the way for body positivity and plus size fashion (in no particular order).
Celebrating 25 Pioneering Women of Color in Body Positivity & Plus Size Fashion
Photo Credit: www.imdb.com
The late Mia Amber Davis was a celebrated plus size model who made her mark by appearing in the 2000 film Road Trip. Notably, she stood up to Janice Dickinson on her reality show, leaving a lasting impact on the plus size community. Following her untimely passing in 2011, Figueroa-Jones expressed on behalf of PMM, “she was much more than just a model; she was a role model we could all look up to.”
Photo Credit: www.jibrionline.com
When Jasmine Elder embarked on her journey, she was among the very few independent plus size designers, a time when blogging and social media were still in their infancy. She successfully built her brand from the ground up on Etsy before transitioning to her own platform. Her innovative designs have been worn by notable figures, including Jill Scott, Tasha Combs, and Chrisette Michele, showcasing her impact on the plus size fashion industry.
Photo Credit: www.dailyvenusdiva.com
Since its inception in 1998, Daily Venus Diva has served as a vital online resource for curvy women and teens. Under the leadership of editor-in-chief Stephanie Penn since 2009, the site has consistently provided relevant and timely content reflecting the experiences and needs of the plus size community. With her unapologetic and passionate approach, Penn adeptly addresses pressing topics and celebrity news, ensuring that women of color are frequently represented in their cover archives, featuring notable personalities like Liris Crosse, Christina Mendez, and Erica Watson.
Jordan Tesfay began her modeling career by submitting to a MODE magazine search, where she stood out among 25,000 entries, ultimately securing a contract with Wilhelmina Models. She made history as the first plus size model featured in a CoverGirl campaign, a landmark achievement that, unfortunately, didn’t receive the attention it deserved at the time. “We shot the Queen collection and the commercial around 2008-2009,” Tesfay recalled. “It was a significant moment, yet it was rolled out without much fanfare or discussion.”
Maiysha, represented by prestigious agencies such as Ford, Next, Wilhelmina, and JAG, has established a remarkable career as a plus size model. In addition to modeling, she is also a talented musician. However, balancing these two passions was not always straightforward. In an article from ESSENCE, Maiysha revealed, “Nobody wanted to sign me, and nobody wanted to buy my album. I know for a fact there were deals I didn’t get because I was plus size.” Despite these challenges, she was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2009 for Best Urban/Alternative Performance, proving that talent knows no size.
Beginning her career as a plus size model in 2004, Nikki Gomez has worked with renowned brands such as Monif C, Latina Magazine, and Saks Fifth Avenue. She was also a cast member on TLC’s reality show “Big Sexy.” Nowadays, her passion lies behind the camera, where she has successfully contributed to Bicoastal MGMT’s plus size print division and actively assists in launching the careers of emerging plus size models.
Photo Credit: cheneselewis.com
Chenese Lewis has been a prominent figure in the plus size community since 2000, making history as the first woman crowned Miss Plus America in 2003. She broke barriers again as the first size 22 model to work with the national clothing brand Torrid. For six years, she produced the National
