Crystal Renn struts her stuff for Spanish high street brand Mango.

Top 5 curvy models

We salute our favorite girls with curves! Click here to discover more plus size models.

1. Crystal Renn

Topping our curvy list of fame is the stunningly beautiful, raven-haired American model Crystal Renn. She is in her early 20's, and a favourite of Italian Vogue.

Crystal started her modeling career in high fashion at the age of 14, after being told to lose almost a third of her total body weight. This weight loss eventually triggered anorexia. After regaining her health, she reemerged as a plus size model. She was booked by Jean-Paul Gaultier for his Spring 2006 showing, which helped to get her noticed by the fashion world.

She now enjoys a highly successful career, and has been photographed for various issues of Vogue. She has also been chosen by Dolce & Gabbana for an international print campaign. She is the only plus model to have appeared on a Harper’s Bazaar cover, and has contracts with Mango, Evans, Lane Bryant and Torrid.

2. Kate Dillon

Kate Dillon started modeling at age 16, when a talent scout found her in a San Diego cafe. She developed an eating disorder, and eventually quit modelling and moved back home.

After a two-year hiatus in San Diego, where she blossomed to a full size 14, she returned to New York. Shortly after, a friend suggested plus-size modelling. In March 1996, Kate Dillon walked into the offices of Wilhelmina Models, and was signed on the spot. She has now become an icon in the world of plus-size modelling, and has been photographed for French Vogue.

3. Johanna Dray

Super sexy Dray is a plus-size model based in Paris. Her look is reminiscent of the 40's and 50's. She notably appeared in John Galliano’s Spring 2006 prêt-à-porter show, wearing what turned out to be Galliano’s best-selling dress of the show.

Dray has appeared in editorials for French Vogue, French Elle and Gala magazine. She has worked with some of Europe’s leading photographers such as Nick Knight and Steve Hiatt, and with European clients such as Marina Rinaldi and Giani Forte.

 

4. Christina Schmidt

Christina Schmidt was born in Canada in 1987, and is a plus-size model and actress.

She appeared in the fall 2007 ad campaign for MXM, which is Canada's best-known junior plus-size clothing line, and has modelled extensively for Torrid, which is a major junior-plus retailer in the USA.

5. Whitney Thompson

Season 10 of "America’s Next Top Model" was when plus-size models went prime time. That's because a blond bombshell beat out scores of bony wannabe models, to become the first plus size girl to win. The Jacksonville native won a contract with Elite Model Management and a sponsorship deal with CoverGirl.

Even though ANTM host Tyra Banks suggested Whitney Thompson was more of a "full-figured model" than a plus-size one, the zesty Floridian has already broken down barriers, and paved the way to mainstream success for bigger girls who dream to become a fashion model.

 

Click here to discover more girls with curves.