– Personally, I’m not too fond of the word “plus size”. But that’s what you call models in my size. I myself wish we didn’t need that term, says Jules Akvama. He is from Oslo and is signed as a model with FYE Management – a Scandinavian modeling agency that focuses on diversity and inclusivity in all its forms. He himself has always been interested in fashion, but says that he was very surprised when he was asked if he would like to try out the modeling profession. – It’s because I haven’t seen many people with my physique in the modeling industry, and then you never think you’ll get the chance, says Akvama. FASHION WEEK: In connection with fashion week in Paris, there is great excitement about what kind of models will be shown on the catwalk. Do you want to see more people like Jules? Photo: Jules Akvama (screenshot) Akvama works, among other things, with podcasts, videos and as an actor. Now he will try his hand at modeling. Photo: Jules Akvama (screenshot) Photo: Jules Akvama (screenshot from Instagram) Plus size? This is a controversial term in the fashion world that is used for models who are larger than what is otherwise common in the industry. What is “normal” varies, and there is therefore no clear definition of what sizes this includes. These days, men’s fashion week in Paris is in full swing. And although it is basically about what kind of trends we will see in the coming year, there is also excitement linked to the models. It has become more and more common to see models in larger sizes in both magazines, on the catwalk and on advertising posters. This is, among other things, a result of the global body positivity movement, which has challenged the traditional ideals of beauty. Well-known model names such as Paloma Elsesser, Precious Victoria Lee and our own Norwegian Ceval Omar are examples of female plus size models who have made an international mark recently. – So, where are all the plus size men going? asked the fashion magazine Vogue recently. REACTS: Model Soouizz Emeka Okeke vents her frustration on Twitter. He reacts to the lack of larger men on the catwalk during fashion week. Photo: (screenshot from Twitter) The fact that it is women who have primarily stood in the breach in the battle for body positivity is probably part of the reason why men are lagging behind, Jules Akvama believes. – There is clearly generally a much greater body pressure for women than there is for men, he says. Rihanna’s models went viral Fashion and beauty manager Ida Elise Eide Einarsdóttir in KK believes that the lack of big men’s models is not talked about as much. – One would think this narrow body ideal belonged in the past. If you look at diversity more generally, there has been a great development in the area. The old-fashioned beauty ideal is changing, and today diversity is almost expected in the fashion world, believes the fashion editor. – Body is only a small part of the diversity pie. Gender, age, skin colour, orientation, functional variations and cultural background also play a role. Einarsdóttir singles out Rihanna’s underwear brand Savage x Fenty as a good example. When the artist expanded her brand to include menswear, she did so by showing the clothes on a variety of different bodies. – It went completely viral. It says something about how unusual it is to see “plus size” men’s models. And that despite the fact that some of the world’s largest modeling agencies have their own departments for just these models, she says. Rihanna’s brand Savage x Fenty has received much praise for using models of all sizes both on the catwalk and in campaigns. Model Jordan Hill was among other things to see in last year’s show. Photo: Savage x Fenty (screenshot) Thinks the movement has gone too far Last year, British brand SS Daley made headlines when they sent out a handful of plus-size male models on the catwalk during London Fashion Week. This shows that there is an unfulfilled potential for more body diversity in the male part of the industry as well. The world of fashion – and perhaps especially luxury fashion – is not at the forefront of change. Despite the need to showcase more sizes, the body positivity movement has sometimes gone too far, believes the head of the Norwegian model agency Idol Looks. – Extreme cases are not healthy either for individuals or for society. It is not aesthetically pleasing to be overweight, says model agent Amar Faiz to news. – For female models in the fashion industry, anything over size 44 is too big. That’s my personal opinion, says the model, adding that he also dislikes models who are too thin. The Norwegian City Year has no plans to represent men’s models in the plus category in the future. – “Dadbods”, on the other hand, are doing well, says Faiz. FIRST OUT: Zach Miko became known as the world’s first male “plus size” model represented by a major agency back in 2016. Here from a campaign for Dolce & Gabbana. Photo: Dolce & Gabbana (screenshot) Managing director Jonas Mangerud at the model agency Heartbreak is much more positive about larger men’s models. – This is something we have tried to be on the lookout for for a long time. We even have a couple of male models in this category with us. He says that customers have started arriving who demand men in larger sizes, but that such models are simply difficult to find. – There are far fewer men than there are women in this industry. And even if there are customers who demand bigger men, it is often the case that the proposals that appear do not meet one hundred percent, he says. British James Corbin was one of the very few larger men’s models on the catwalk during London fashion week last year. Here from a campaign for Italian Valentino. Photo: Valentino (screenshot) Model Soouizz Emeka Okeke has done campaigns for Gucci and Nike. Photo: Tarik Carroll (screenshot) Kyle Andrew has, among other things, been seen in advertising posters for Ralph Lauren. Photo: Ara Coutts (screenshot) One of the challenges for the Norwegian modeling industry is that the market is not large enough for you to work as a model full-time. The threshold for the profession is higher because people have to put a lot of effort into a part-time job, he says. – But we would like to have even more male models in larger sizes, says Jonas Mangerud. Fresh model Jules Akvama is looking forward to the future. – It’s crazy that there are very few male models in my size now, but I really believe that there will be more of us soon, he says. Interested in reading more cultural matters? 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Where are the male “plus size” models? – news Culture and entertainment
