Wang Lanxi is a plus-size model. "I'm 170 centimeters and weigh 88 kilos," she said, introducing herself. "I’ve always been a chubby kid. The neighbors would often ask my mom, ‘What did you feed your daughter?’" 

Wang lives in Guangzhou, south China. She works for several photo studios that provide pictures for Taobao vendors. Among an array of super slim models, Wang stands out.

She does get strange looks from time to time. "People say that we are big and have big hearts, but it's not always like that. We tend to lack confidence," she said, adding that her plus-size figure used to bring her plenty of worries. "I was afraid of looking into people's eyes, and wearing a bikini was off the table, but things are getting better now," she said.

Wang used to be a music teacher. She often shopped on Taobao in her college years. There were, however, seldom pictures of models similar to her figure. That gave her the idea of being a plus-size model. She believed it could showcase her beauty, and help other plus-size shoppers at the same time.

The long hours take their toll on Wang and she often feel exhausted, although she really enjoys the sense of achievement. "How can you ask a 45 kilo model to wear the clothes designed for a 90 kilo person? That won't work." In order to be in peak condition, she spends most of her free time working out. "Chubby as I am, I have to show the body curve," she said. Behind the beauty in the pictures, is the sweat in the gym.

Her unique figure and outgoing personality make Wang one of the "elites" in the industry. She knows how to maneuver her body and avoid clumsy gestures that show wrinkles, while always maintaining a strong sense of confidence. As an experienced plus-size model, she understands the importance of professionalism.

"The working process cannot be fast, because it may reveal ‘too much’ of my body in snapshots," Wang explained. Plus-size models have to spend much more time in order to make perfect pictures. "Like where your toes point or what direction you should face. You can work it out when you have done it a thousand times." When asked what she thinks of in front of the camera, she replied: "The moment it clicks, I am the most beautiful girl in the universe.”

In her spare time, Wang likes to feed her goldfish, or watch movies using the projector she installed, while eating snacks in bed. Like other young girls, she can't resist the pretty clothes in the windows either. 

"I don't want to be skinny. I like being chubby," said Wang, confidently and firmly. "I'm not only showing the clothes, but also helping other plump girls embrace their plus-size beauty." In a time when many people appreciate slim figures, there are indeed a number of plus-size ladies like Wang who are redefining fashion and aesthetics with their efforts and self-confidence.