Plus-size models build careers in China’s fashion industry

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Now being plus-size might be an advantage for some girls in China. With a rising number of people with extra weight, the market share of plus-size clothes has been growing, which has also spawned the plus-size modeling industry. Recently, a group of Chinese plus-size models in the city of Hangzhou in east China have caused a stir online.

Plus-size model Deng Deng is 168 centimeters tall and weighs 75.5 kilos. /CGTN Photo

Most of these plus-size models are in their early 20s. On average, they are around 165 centimeters tall and weigh around 75 kilograms.

Through their good-looking faces and knack for striking poses, these young girls make an average monthly income of around 8,500 yuan (1,281 US dollars). They are seeing the benefits of being overweight.

Plus-size model Yuan Yuan is 164 centimeters tall and weighs 77 kilos. /CGTN Photo

Yuan Yuan said, "A lunch without meat is one without a soul. We often have midnight snacks after work. At our company, we feel like we are queens," while another plus-size model said, "I feel like I've arrived in a fat girl country. Now I eat whatever I like and whenever I like. Together with other girls here, I feel happy.”

These seven plus-size models just started their careers about half a year ago, working for a women's plus-size online clothing store. Now many of them have over 100,000 fans on Tik Tok, the most popular short video app in China. The job gives them not only good money, but also selling streams.

Plus-size model Yao Yao is 165 centimeters tall and weighs 72.5 kilos. /CGTN Photo

"I’m pretty confident now. When we're doing live stream promotions, many online fans often tell us we're so pretty," Yao Yao said.

The models are led by Guo Zhenxing, general manager of an online store, whose annual sales last year exceeded 100 million yuan (15 million US dollars). The plus-size clothing industry is still in its infancy, but Guo believes that it has big potential.

A plus-size model live streams to promote the plus-size clothes from a store. /CGTN Photo

"According to statistics from the T-mall and Taobao online store platforms, the annual sales volume of women’s plus-size clothing now only makes up 5 percent of the women's clothing category. But I think this market has great prospects because more people now have weight problems," Guo told CGTN.

In 2016, Guo let his models focus on short videos and live stream promotions, which has become a popular marketing strategy for online stores.

Besides his clothing business, Guo Zhenxing also runs a plus-size model company. /CGTN Photo

Guo said, "People's consumption habits have changed. They now want to see videos and live streams more than still images. Besides good looks, my models need to be able to express themselves well and have a charming personality."

These young girls now live stream for around six hours a day. But they don't always win the support of their audiences. Sometimes they get offended by bad comments. However, they say they enjoy the work and will continue doing it.

(Cover photo: Plus-size models pose for a selfie with CGTN's reporter. /CGTN Photo)