19 OG Black Plus-Size Models & Influencers Still Doing It Big
19 OG Black Plus-Size Models & Influencers Still Doing It Big - Page 9
Written by
Maui Bigelow
Published on
April 20, 2025
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Source: River Callaway / Getty
Let’s be clear: Black women have always set the standard in the fashion and beauty industries. From the regal gold adornments of our African ancestors to the street style of the B-Girls of Brooklyn and the Sunday flair from First Ladies, we are the blueprint. Our creativity, innovation, and swagger has been borrowed, imitated, and exploited without credit. We don’t just follow trends, we create them. And when it comes to plus-size fashion, that same energy applies tenfold.
Before hashtags, brand campaigns, and inclusive sizing became the buzz, Black plus-size influencers were already out here making statements. We were never ashamed of our curvy silhouettes or shied away from serving body. We aren’t afraid to rock brightly colored clothes, prints or different textured clothing. When they didn’t make room for us, we carved out our own lanes and lit up every room we entered—whether in professional arenas, church pews, block parties, or Instagram feeds. We took up space, demanded visibility, and redefined beauty on our own terms. Oh and let’s keep it real: that work wasn’t just about clothes. It was—and is—about freedom. It was—and is—about legacy; our badass birthright to show up and show out without apology. It’s our magic and if we know nothing else, we know how to stay in our magic.
The OG Black plus-size influencers in this space didn’t just serve looks—they broke down barriers. They built communities, launched brands, and showed the world what it looks like to show up boldly, with style, and confidence. Think of icons like Mia Amber Davis, Gabi Fresh, and Chastity Garner Valentine, who used their platforms to challenge norms and open doors for a new generation of plus-size fashionistas. Their presence caused the world to reimagine what it meant to be curvy. Their influence can be seen on runways, in retail collections, and across digital media. They’re not just participants in the fashion conversation—they’re architects of it.
From fashion to fitness, from content creation to entrepreneurship, Black plus-size influencers continue to prove that style, success, and self-love have no size limit. We’re no longer waiting for permission. We’ve claimed our seats at the table—and redecorated the whole damn room, sis.
For Black Women’s History Month, we celebrate the girls who have been doing the work, shifting the narrative, and reminding the world that beauty looks like us. The culture moves because we move it. And yes, the girls deserve their flowers—today and every day.
1. GarnerStyle
A pioneer in plus-size blogging, Chastity Garner Valentine of GarnerStyle has been a leading voice in the plus-size fashion movement for over a decade. She offers high-end fashion tips, travel content, and thoughtful commentary on body politics. Chastity is also co-founder of The CurvyCon a highly successful plus-size event held during NYFW.
2. The Curvy Fashionista
Founder of The Curvy Fashionista, Marie Denee is a powerhouse in the plus-size fashion space. Her platform serves as a digital destination for plus-size news, style tips, and brand roundups, supporting curvy women in celebrating their bodies.
3. Essie Golden
Essie Golden is a fashion influencer, model, and body-positive advocate known for her bold style and unapologetic confidence. She’s also the co-founder of the “#GoldenConfidence” pool party, an event celebrating plus-size women in swimwear.
4. Beauti Curve
Rochelle Johnson, the creator behind Beauti Curve, is a trailblazing plus-size fashion influencer who has redefined Southern style with a modern twist. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Rochelle launched her blog to share her passion for affordable fashion, beauty, and lifestyle inspiration for curvy women. Her platform has evolved into a vibrant space celebrating self-love, luxury, and joyful living. Through Beauti Curve, she continues to empower women to embrace their curves and live stylishly.
5. Passion Jonesz
Passion Jonesz is a body-positive influencer and YouTuber who shares fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content. Her candid journey with polyamory, motherhood, and body transformation resonates with a broad audience.
6. CeCe Olisa
A speaker and wellness advocate, CeCe Olisa co-founded theCURVYcon and champions the idea that fitness and fashion are for every body. Her platform is grounded in promoting confidence and living well at any size.
7. Ty Alexander
Ty Alexander is a best-selling author (“Things I Wish I Knew Before My Mom Died”), speaker, podcaster, DJ and wellness influencer. Her content focuses on radical self-care, grief, fashion, and aging boldly as a plus-size Black woman.
A trailblazer in the body-positive fashion movement, Gabi Gregg helped redefine plus-size fashion with her bold swimwear collaborations and stylish content. She’s also the co-founder of the size-inclusive brand Premme.
9. Kelly Augustine
Kelly Augustine is a fashion stylist, editor, and influencer who centers Black, plus-size women in her work. With a refined sense of style and a passion for representation, she curates content that’s both aspirational and accessible.
10. Kelly Brown
Kelly Brown is the founder of And I Get Dressed, a lifestyle platform celebrating style, beauty, and travel for plus-size women. Her witty, confident tone and inclusive approach have made her a go-to voice in the body-positive space.
11. Alissa Wilson
Alissa Wilson is the editor-in-chief of Stylish Curves, a fashion blog that provides plus-size women with the latest trends, style tips, and brand spotlights. Her goal is to show that curvy women can be fashionable and on-trend at any size.
12. MsKristine
MsKristine formerly known as Trendy Curvy is a digital creator and fashion expert known for her “Style Series,” where she shows how plus-size women can wear trending pieces with flair. Her elegant and relatable approach to style resonates with curvy women looking for elevated, everyday looks.
13. Girl With Curves
Tanesha Awasthi is the founder of Girl With Curves, a fashion blog turned brand that champions timeless, feminine fashion for curvier figures. She’s known for her polished aesthetic and for proving that chic, classic style is size-inclusive.
14. From The Rez To The City
Rez To The City is a bold, edgy fashion content creator known for her street-style flair and unapologetic self-expression. She fuses high fashion with real-life wearable pieces, making a strong statement for individuality and confidence at any size.
15. Precious Lee
One of the most recognizable faces in high fashion, Precious Lee is a groundbreaking plus-size model who’s walked for Versace and graced the covers of Vogue. She uses her platform to push for inclusion, representation, and radical self-love.
16. Liris Cross
Liris Cross is an acclaimed model and motivational speaker who broke barriers in the fashion industry. A former Project Runway winner, she’s an advocate for diversity in modeling and uses her voice to mentor aspiring curve models.
17. Tocarra Jones
A fan favorite from “America’s Next Top Model,” Tocarra Jones has remained a prominent figure in fashion and media. With a vivacious personality and timeless beauty, she paved the way for fuller figures in mainstream modeling and TV.
18. Sharon Quinn
Often referred to as the “Original Runway Diva,” Sharon Quinn is a model, TV host, and educator. A staple in the plus-size fashion scene, she uses her platform to highlight the history and evolution of curvy fashion through a Black lens.
19. Gwen DeVoe
Gwen DeVoe is the founder of Full Figured Fashion Week, a pivotal event that gave plus-size fashion its rightful spotlight. She is a producer, mentor, and industry veteran committed to carving out space for curvy women in fashion and media.
