curves are sexy.
Finally, a valid reason to post selfies.
ASOS and Models 1 have announced that they’ve joined forces to launch a modeling contest on Instagram for the clothing company’s plus-sized line ASOS Curves. The main rule governing participation is that the photo should be a natural-looking, unfiltered, not overly-posed selfie shot of the contestant’s beautiful mug. Well, that and that hopefuls have to be between the ages of 17-28 and wear a UK plus-size in clothing. The prize: a modeling contract with British Agency Models 1 (guaranteed) and digital notoriety (perhaps).
Within ten days of the contest’s launch, over 2,000 women submitted themselves for consideration by hash-tagging their photos with #MakeMeACurveModel. The competition will run until June 9th and besides that coveted contract with Models 1, the winner will receive a shoot with ASOS, and vouchers worth 500 pounds to be used on ASOS’ website. That’s about $842 US dollars and the site is well-known for being very reasonable when it comes to the prices they charge for their items so that 500 pounds will go a loooong way… in other words, shopping spree! Models 1 by the way, has been the home of Twiggy, Linda Evangelista and Olivia Palermo, so a contract with them isn’t something to take lightly.
The online retailer has been dedicated to expanding their clothing sizes for all body types, and has done so by offering different petite, tall, and curvy collections. It hopes that choosing models based on how they fit with the brand and the clothing as opposed to their work experience or the street cred their names might bring will help broaden its appeal and accessibility to shoppers. And in a cultural moment where women are facing increasing pressure to conform with certain bodily expectations, it’s refreshing to see an international retail brand like ASOS celebrate women of fuller body types.
This is the second year that the contest has been held, and last year’s winner Simone Charles continues her love affair with the camera, steadily working away. In fact Models 1 shared that their plus sized division is one of their highest demands, saying:
“There has never been a better time to be a curvy model. Demand for our curvy girls just keeps growing and it is not just the size 12, 14 and 16’s that in are in demand; brands are looking for size 18 and 20 curves.”
Well if there’s anywhere to find lots of attractive women in one place, it’s definitely on Instagram. If Kate Upton did it, who’s to say we can’t?
