Ford has turned models like Crystal Renn and Tara Lynn into two of the most wanted curvy models, and it’s with this same excitement to promote curvy bodies and a range of body-types that this book has created a great response in the fashion world. It’s not surprising that Ford is among the highest quality producers of plus-size talent when the agency is setting new standards by investing in their growing Plus division.

Gary Dakin, the head of Ford’s plus division, said that Ford ”wanted to show the beauty of these girls without mentioning size.”  The approach is refreshing in a climate where a model’s thinness or curves are often exaggerated and brought to the forefront of many fashion images. Each of the girls are presented in a way that highlights their natural beauty, with relaxed, casual styling and a lack of fussy hair or make-up.

With top agencies like Ford on board to promote and invest in body diversity in fashion, we can be more hopeful to see similar values echoed in body representation by prestige brands.

Blog post from Vogue Curvy
Written By Nicolette Mason

Ford+, the plus size division of Ford models, just put out a new promotional book featuring some of their top models. What’s striking about Ford’s latest promotional push is that it’s simply comprised of beautiful high-fashiony images of models who happen to not be straight size (that means they are not a 0 and can be anywhere from a size 8 to 18). It seems to be (and hopefully is) part of trend of incorporating models who aren’t 0s and 2s–not just Crystal Renn–into the high fashion world, beyond catalogues.

Gary Dakin, the head of Ford’s plus board, has been with the modeling agency for the last 13 years. In that time span, he says the market has changed dramatically for plus size models.

“There are better clients, jobs, photographers, rates, etc.,” he says. “The girls have evolved too…they are challenged now more than ever to be better and they challenge the industry right back.”

Dakin pinpoints the moment the industry began shifting to embrace plus to around 10 years ago. “It actually started changing when Kate Dillon hit and plus models started getting recognized. Crystal [Renn] took it to new heights as she challenged and changed minds. She, as Kate did before, opened doors.”

Today’s plus stars like Ashley Graham, Candice Huffine, Marquita Pring and Tara Lynn continue to book major campaigns, high fashion editorials, and the occasional Paris runway show.

Take a look at the plus stars of tomorrow. Some of them (like Inga Eiriksdottir and Alyona Osmanova) started off as straight size models and made the transition to plus.

Article from Fashionista.com.
Written by Leah Chernikoff

Read more about Leah Kelley, McKenzie Raley, Inga Eiriksdottir, Michelle Olsen, and Alyona Osmanova.

Great read on The Cut, about The Rise of The Plus Size Model.

The editors at Teen Vogue want you to know that denim is for every body. No matter how skinny or curvy you are there is the perfect style jeans out there made for your body. Plus model Alyona and TV star Hayley Hasselhoff are showing us how its done in an amazing article called The Jean Pool: Denim for Everybody.

Alyona, 22 is a Ukranian Model who is with Ford+ . She has walked in shows such as Prada and Marc Jacobs and been shot by Italian Vogue and DKNY. Madison Plus featured Alyona for our Perfect Summer Editorial last summer. Alyona says that she prefers jeans that are tight on top and wide at the leg just because she likes how they look and that women should wear what they love!

Hayley Hasselhoff, 18, starred in the show HUGE on ABC and is currently starring in the reality show The Hasselhoffs on A&E. She says that when it comes to her curves she likes high waisted jeans because they show off her waist and lengthen her legs. She mentions that all plus women are different and have to find what style denim works best for them.

Photographed by Jason Kibbler

Together we have teamed up for an exclusive new issuu featuring Alyona and Sabina. Shot in Central Park and featuring bohemian looks that capture a NYC hot summer day.

To introduce Alyona and Sabina, we had plus model Ashley Graham interview the rising stars in the Ford offices. Check out the video here!

Enjoy our latest issuu shot especially for Madison Plus!

What do you think of Alyona and Sabina’s “Perfect Summer” shoot?

Ashley Graham Interviews Sabina and Alyona from Ford+ Models from Aimee Cheshire on Vimeo.