10 Curvy Lingerie Models That Challenge Social Stereotypes

Are you hungry for the fashion world to show more women with fuller figures?

Has the skinny trend worn a bit thin?

If you prefer to celebrate women in all shapes and sizes, you're not alone.

Here are ten stories from plus-size models who actively promote plus size fashion and beauty for curvy women everywhere.

1. Crystal Renn: You Can't Change the World Without a Struggle

Before making it big as a plus-size model, Crystal Renn struggled to keep her weight down as low as the fashion world demanded.

In 2009, she wrote a book called Hungry, described as a "a behind-the-scenes peek into the modelling industry, as well as a trenchant look at our weight-obsessed culture." Renn overcame a battle with anorexia before going on to become the first plus-size model on the runway for Chanel, proving that designer plus size clothing is in.

2. Tia Duffy: Challenging Expectations

However, in 2015, plus size models are still battling to show off sexy plus size dresses. Tia Duffy, who hails from Ireland, has been filming a documentary called Inside Skinny with producer Jenny McQuaile.

Duffy criticizes a "lack of diversity" on the runway and decries some models as " skeletal." As far as she's concerned, fashion needs to fatten up.

3. Katya Zharkova: Curves Should Be Celebrated On and Off the Catwalk

Lady Lotus / Wikipedia / CC BY-SA

It's undeniable that there's an audience for more plus size women's clothing online and on the high street, as well as on the catwalk.

Belarusian plus-size model Katya Zharkova whipped up a storm when PLUS Model Magazine published photos of her in an embrace with a straight-size model to highlight facts like these: "Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less."

4. Lizzie Miller: Promoting Real Women

It's clearly time for change in the fashion industry.

Glamour magazine realised this when they printed a small image of a then-unknown Lizzie Miller. They were bombarded with positive messages about her unedited naked figure by women who were overjoyed to see it on the page of a glossy woman's magazine.

Miller is now a plus-size model, but Glamour's write-up about the reaction simply describes her as "normal": that's precisely what hordes of women were drawn to.

5. Ashley Graham: #curvesarein

Many plus-size models have turned to social media to campaign for the celebration of our curves and the results are a treat.

Plus-size model Ashley Graham, who has modelled full figure lingerie for Lane Bryant, hit back at the fashion industry with the hashtag #curvesarein and women everywhere followed suit:

Ashley Graham
@theashleygraham
My body isn't perfect, but it's the only one I've been given. #curvesarein #curvesaresexy #ilovemybody

Offline, Graham has her own range of larger size lingerie to help larger-breasted women shape their bodies and love them, curves and all.

6. Tess Holliday: Eff Your Beauty Standards

Tess Holliday is one of many women who are proud to share photos of themselves in glamorous big girl lingerie. Her bold look is accompanied by the Twitter hashtag #EffYourBeautyStandards, which took off worldwide when she introduced it.

Women of all shapes, sizes, ages and ethnicities regularly tweet the hashtag to show respect for their bodies:

Ferdi
@santaferdi
there will be no body shame here #effyourbeautystandards

Nellie
@NellieCera
Love who you are at all times. Love youself! #NoBodyShame #effyourbeautystandards

Unfortunately, the reality of social media is that comment can just as easily be negative. Despite an avalanche of support for change, trolls are a daily problem online, as plus-size models have been openly attacked for flaunting their figures.

7. Robyn Lawley: Swimwear Designer and Model

Being curvy isn't all about being sexy, it's about body confidence and feeling good wherever you are in whatever you're doing.

Robyn Lawley, who originates from Sydney, is the first plus-size model to be featured in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Not only is Lawley photographed in a bikini from her own swimwear range, she is also the first plus-size model who has ever appeared in the magazine and so makes quite a splash.

8. Tocarra Jones: Keeping Fit and Healthy

The weight of plus-size models is endlessly scrutinised in the media but, in more ways than one, they are beginning to be associated with health.

One model regularly associated with keeping fit is Tocarra Jones of America's Next Top Model. She released a workout video for women she describes as "real size" and campaigns to help women keep fit while keeping their curves.

9. Emme: Making Modelling History

With so much love out there for curves, there's no reason to hide yours away.

If you've got them, flaunt them.

The world's first plus-size supermodel, Emme, is now in her 50s and she wants to help every woman be able to do just that. She recently launched a "Fashion Without Limits" initiative, which encourages fashion students to design clothes in size 12 and above.

She knows what she's talking about:

10. Louise O'Reilly: Looking to the Future

Plus-size model Louise O'Reilly also loves showing off her curves and runs an award-winning blog to help women of all shapes and sizes:

"I love my job and everything that it entails so I wanted to create a platform to showcase fashion diversity, my love for curves and body image. As a result Style Me Curvy was born, which aims to promote fashion, beauty and style for every kind of curve and body type, whether a girl is a size 6 or a size 26!"

Follow her expert fashion tips or create your own style, but either way, love your size.

Hidden Gems

If you're not sure what you should or could be wearing underneath your wardrobe, join plus size models and women everywhere who believe plus size lingerie should celebrate every size.

Browse our tantalising range of plus size bras up to size 26.