2026-08-06 · derivatives

Фьючерсы на золото подешевели в ходе американских торгов

Two of the fashion industry's most successful plus-size models have detailed the scrutiny they have faced while working within an industry which continues to value skinny 'straight-size' women above all else.

Sabina Karlsson, 27, of Sweden, and Barbie Ferreira, 18, from New York, are among the women featured in i-D's week-long video series Size Matters, which explores the pressure models face to be thin - or in some cases gain weight, so they can fit into the plus-size category. In one of the videos, Sabina, who worked as a straight-size model before she transitioned into the plus-size market, recalls being ridiculed by a casting director because of her size.

'I would go to a casting, I remember in Milan once, and the casting director she just like squeezed my thighs and said: "No. No. No. Too big,"' she says in the clip.

Natural beauty: Swedish model Sabina Karlsson, 27, recalls her transition from straight-size to plus-size modeling as part of i-D's week-long video series Size matters, which explores the pressure models fact to be thin

Changing times: Sabina walked the runway for Betsey Johnson as a straight-size model in 2008 (left). This September she strutted down the catwalk for Canadian lingerie brand Addition Elle (right)

Before she started working as a plus-size model, Sabina says she used to 'always stressed out' that she wouldn't fit into the clothes and would be sent home.

'I already knew that I wasn't as skinny as most of the girls,' she says. 'I wasn't comfortable in my body.'

Sabina, who worked for designer labels such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Armani, notes that she was always told she was 'too big'.

Feeling confident: Sabina was always told she was 'too big' when she was a straight size model. The Swedish beauty says she is grateful that being a plus-size model allows her finally embrace her natural body

Eventually, her agency at the time told her they couldn't represent her anymore, and she feared her modeling career was over.

'If they think I am too big, all the other ones are going to think I am too big as well,' she recalls. 'And I felt like, 'Okay, I am never going to be modeling again because this is it.

'I guess I thought being a straight size model was the only way to be successful. That was the world I was coming from and also that's what the society and media are putting out there.'

Role model: Sabina (third from left) recently starred in Lane Bryant's 'Plus Is Equal' campaign, which promotes fashion for all sizes

Sabina, who continues to walk the runway and pose for plus-size brand Lane Bryant, says she is immensely grateful that she was able to enter the plus-size industry because it allows her to embrace her natural body - a change she would like to see across the industry.

'Using different kinds of models will help so many girls and women out there,' she says. 'I just want to see all types of girls in the media - size 16, a size 2, doesn't matter. I just want everyone to be brought together.'

Meanwhile, Barbie recalls in her video how she inadvertently entered the plus-size modeling industry, explaining that she was taking photos of herself after school when she decided to send the images to American Apparel. The brand ended up emailing her back, giving Barbie her first break.

New media: Barbie Ferreira, 18, from New York, credits Instagram for helping her and her friends book modeling jobs

Big break: Barbie started modeling for American Apparel (left) after she sent the brand pictures she snapped herself. The Instagram star can be seen taking a selfie of herself (right)

'I didn't know curve modeling was a thing,' she says. 'I didn't even think that. I thought it was very rigid standards.'

And while Barbie is technically considered a plus-size model, she notes that she doesn't actually fit the label.

'The term plus-size is so inaccurate,' she explains. 'I am not plus-size. I have never really bought an article of clothing that is plus-size.'

The Instagram sensation credits the internet for helping curvy models find work, saying that some of her friends find great work after sharing photos on the social media site.

Wrong label: Although she is often called a plus-size model, Barbie notes that she has never purchased or fit into plus-size clothing before

Gaining acceptance: Barbie says she finally believes that it is possible for her to have a successful career as model no matter what her size

'It is almost like a business card,' Barbie says. 'Here I am this is me raw, unsensored. Take it or leave it'