As fashion moves towards embracing all body types, the plus size model has been having a moment with standouts such as Ashley Graham and Candice Huffine making waves. Looking for a male equivalent, IMG Models launches its plus-size Brawn division for men. Making headlines as a plus-size male model for Target, Zach Miko is the first sign of the new board. Talking to WWD about its latest division, IMG Models president Ivan Bart shares, “Brawn has a body positive message. Brawn is physical strength.” Bart continues, “The body positive messaging and size diversity is something that’s relevant and something that continues to be on everybody’s mind. We have to extend the conversation for men.”
Talking to WWD about his own struggles with finding appropriate clothes when shopping, Miko confides, “I consider myself a beefy, stocky kind of guy or whatever buzzword you want to use. I’m in the fashion business and I’m required to dress fashionably but yet I have size issues.” Miko adds, “It becomes defeating when I don’t consider myself morbidly obese, but I go to certain stores they don’t have my size.”
