There have been some serious breakthrough moments for plus-size models this year...
(See: Ashley Graham on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue and Nadia Aboulhosn on the cover of Women’s Running.)
Meet IMG's first "Brawn" model, Zach Miko.
(See: Ashley Graham on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue and Nadia Aboulhosn on the cover of Women’s Running.)
Ivan Bart, president of IMG Models, told WWD, "Brawn has a body positive message. Brawn is physical strength."
Bart said he signed Miko, who is 6'6" and has a 40-inch waist, because "he was relatable but still represented fashion."
“Everyone wants to wear great clothes and everyone wants to look fashionable. We have to start asking for more options,” he told WWD.
"Then, Ivan told me about his dreams for the fashion industry: diversity, inclusion, evolution," he said. "I knew then I hadn’t just found an agency, I had found a home."
"Women of all shapes and sizes are beautiful and confident and sexy," he said. "The conversation has changed from 'This is what beautiful is' to 'What is beautiful?' I am humbled to be able to raise that question for the men’s industry."
"We have been told for so long that beauty is this one thing, but times are changing," he said. "It’s a new conversation. Beauty comes in every variety. If you want to be a model, go do it. Dress up, take pictures, post on your Instagram, tell a story, be proud of who you are right now. Put yourself out there. You never know who is watching."