Meet Korea's First Plus-Size Modeling Agency TheCurve Korea

"Plus-size model" is also a pretty familiar word.
It also seems to have broken a lot of prejudices that models have to be thin.

The market has grown as fast as the interest,
In the U.S. fashion market, plus-size fashion accounts for 19% of the market.

Who are some iconic plus-size models?

When it comes to plus-size models, Ashley Graham is definitely at the top of the list.

She made her debut in unretouched photos for Vogue Italia.
Now you can walk the high-fashion runway with Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber,
She was the face of brands like Lane Bryant, Revlon, Marina Rinaldi, and Swimsuits For All.

Standing at the Versace SS 2021 show
The April 2021 cover of Vogue
Precious Lee is another top model who is often mentioned.

What about the size diversity model market in Korea?

In today's Spotlite
"Korea's First Size Diversity Modeling Agency" The Curve Korea and meet the CEO of
We talked about the size diversity model market in South Korea.

Q. Hi CEO 😊 Please introduce TheCurve Korea briefly.

Hello, The Curve Korea is the first size-diverse modeling agency in Korea.

Q. In the U.S., the plus-size fashion market already accounts for 19% of the total market, so I was wondering what the perception and reality is in the Korean fashion industry.

Korea has also made good progress in the fashion market, actively seeking out plus-size models.
I don't think we've seen a real shift in perception yet.

For example, in a major fashion magazine, you might see an editorial with a plus-size model,
It's still hard to see plus-size models in international brands or big campaigns!

In fact, compared to fashion weeks in the U.S. or Europe, the
In Korea, you'll rarely see plus-size models on the catwalk,
Last year, for the first time ever, a designer brand held a casting call for plus-size catwalk models in Seoul.

I'm proud to see these small but steady changes continue to happen.

Q. How did you decide to create the first size diversity agency in Korea? Was there a special occasion?

AI started working as a plus size model in London in 2019,

I was very inspired by London's fashion and beauty market, which recognizes the diversity of races, body shapes and tries to hire models that are representative of all.

So in Korea, I thought I'd try it first.

Q. Despite your determination, I'm sure there were challenges, especially in the beginning. Can you share some examples?

The definition of plus size and its boundaries are very different in Korea.

For example, models who are currently plus-sized in Korea do not meet European or American standards. Since we are much smaller than the European and American markets, it was often difficult to contract overseas agencies.

But that's not the reality in Korea.

We've had a few clients looking for models who are a size 55 in Korea. In Korea, we look for more natural-sized models than plus-sized models, and the standards are still very high.

I think it's also on us to do more to recognize the plus size market.

Q. For brands that haven't worked with size-diverse models yet, how is a shoot with a size-diverse model similar and different from a shoot with a traditional model?

Both models are professional models with a lot of experience shooting. The atmosphere of the shoot will be no different.

However, the perception of buyers who see and accept ads from filmed brands is likely to be more positive. I think people will feel more connected and appreciate seeing a model that represents the real us, not a generic model.

Q. Please introduce 1-2 of the most active talents in TheCurve Korea these days! What are you working on? Do you have a specialty, such as a primary region of activity?

I'd like to introduce you to Seungyeon Ah and Heejoo Yoon.

Seungyeon was originally a trainer, but I convinced her to become a model!

He does a lot of fashion shoots and editorials for fashion brands, and his self-love, athleticism, and toned muscles are a big draw. I think it's the kind of model that can create the perception that plus-size models can look this good.

Heeju is a bubblegum-like model with a lot of bubbly charm, as she is also a dancer.

You have a cute mask and western body lines. She is a charming model who usually wears heavy makeup for her performances and is very charismatic, but she has a soft-spoken personality and can't swear.

You are both in Seoul.

Q. What efforts do you think are needed by different players in the fashion industry to strengthen diversity and inclusion in the Korean fashion market in the future?

By breaking away from outdated size and beauty standards and hiring models that can represent everyone in the changing modern world, brands can make their ads more relatable to the real-life "us."

As buyers, we need to support and consume more brands that support and celebrate body diversity and move away from the unrealistic beauty standards that have sickened young people.

Clothes should be for everyone to enjoy and consume. Isn't it discriminatory to not design or even sell larger sizes?

Q. You recently signed an MOU with Spotlite, what are your expectations from TheCurve Korea?

With Spotlite, we want to shed some light on the plus model market and show that there are many different types of models out there.

Want to know which plus-size models are available now?

On a freshly launched Spotlite site, the
Apply filters with just a few clicks to find the
Find and source models based on your preferred shoot date, preferred shoot time, and preferred conditions to find and book models based on your preferences.