While we might be closer than ever to seeing a greater array of bodies on runways and in magazines, the fight for a more inclusive fashion industry in Australia is far from over.
Despite the average dress size of Australian women being 14 to 16, anything above a size 10 is considered to be ‘plus size’ in the Australian fashion industry, and smaller bodies continue to be the most represented.
Still, a growing number of curvier models are fighting back against this trend, and making waves in campaigns and on runways, both at home abroad, in the process.
From industry veterans, like Robyn Lawley, who publicly slammed Victoria’s Secret and its refusal to cast diverse women in its annual fashion show, to industry-newcomers like Bell Campbell, who has walked the most Australian runways of any curve model to date, Australia is shoring up a cast of women eager for change.
Below, in no particular order, all of the top plus sized models in Australia.
Georgina Burke
After conquering the modelling world both locally and abroad, Georgina Burke went on to launch her very own line of size-inclusive swimwear, Burke NYC.
But she hasn’t left modelling behind – just last year, Georgina made her SI Swimwear debut, even wearing one of her own bikinis for the photo shoot.
Bella Campbell
With a blonde buzz cut and size 14-16 frame, newcomer Bell Campbell might not look like the typical ‘runway’ mode – but she already has 18 Australian runways to her name, and is proving to be one of the most in demand faces of her generation.
Holly Rose Emery
She might not technically be Australian, but we couldn’t leave New Zealand-born Holly Rose Emery off our list. She started modelling (with immediate international success) at 16, after losing 36kg, which, at the time, was celebrated. Nearly ten years later, Holly is back on the fashion scene as a curve model, and making even bigger waves.
Jasmine O’Neill
Jasmine O’Neill may have only been modelling for a few years, but she’s already making waves in Australia, with iconic clients like Maurie and Eve, Bec + Bridge and Nagnata already under her belt, and a string of AAFW shows.
Laura Wells
33-year-old Laura Wells is an environmentalist, presenter and one of Australia’s top plus size models. The Sydney-born beauty, who wears a size 14 in swimwear and size 12-14 in clothes, was scouted while visiting New York and now uses her platform to raise awareness of environmental issues (she has both a law and biology degree under her belt, too).
Jessica Vander Leahy
Sydney-born model Jessica Vander Leahy has been modelling for over a decade. Now based in New York, Vander Leahy has expanded her skills to include writing for some of the world’s biggest fashion publications and with the creation of Project WomanKIND, an online platform dedicated to celebrating women.
Kate Wasley
Aussie model Kate Wasley rose to social media fame as one half of Instagram duo @any.body_co, where she and friend Georgia Gibbs share photos of themselves to social media to promote body positivity at any size. Now Kate has been recognised internationally, even shooting for iconic brands like Sports Illustrated.
Georgia Pratt
New Zealand-born model Georgia Pratt Holiber is making a name for herself internationally (yes, we’re claiming her as our own). Georgia has shot for everyone from Kiwi lingerie label, Lonely (which is known worldwide for using models of every size and age and their unretouched images), to it-girl favourite, Realisation Par.
Robyn Lawley
Robyn Lawley is arguably Australia’s best-known plus-size model, the first to ever appear in a campaign for Ralph Lauren and shot for some of the world’s biggest fashion magazines. In 2013, she penned an essay calling out the ‘thigh gap’ trend for being unhealthy and unnecessary.
Shareefa J
Shareefa J is a Sydney-based model and presenter who uses her platform to promote diversity and body diversity. Recently, she closed The Iconic Swim Show, writing on Instagram, ‘with every step I took, I swear I could feel the world changing beneath my feet.’
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