IMG Models, a major modeling outfit in the world, is creating a roster of male models to represent its "brawn division." This is a marketing term adapted to describe big and tall men, and the company has signed up Zach Miko as its first plus-size male model.
Miko's beginnings as a plus-size model were in 2015 with Target and Mossimo Supply Co. The retailer and fashion brand used the model's image for the big and tall sections in both their physical stores and online shopping sites.
Since then, the New York model, who stands at 6 feet, 6 inches, and has a 40-inch waist, is becoming a favorite of brands that would like to project that men big bodies can still look stylish and fashionable. IMG decided to sign him up to promote body positivity in men.
"The body positive messaging and size diversity is something that's relevant and something that continues to be on everybody's mind," Ivan Bart, the president at IMG Models, said. "We have to extend the conversation for men."
Women's fashion has had a shift that highlights plus-size beauty with models like Ashley Graham, Precious Lee and Tess Holiday. With Miko joining the agency, Bart hopes that this shift would also extend to men. He also hopes that more brands would be open to creating options for these consumers.
The fashion executive knows the limitations of male plus-size clothing since he admits he's also of the "beefy and stocky" type. "It becomes defeating when I don't consider myself morbidly obese, but I go to certain stores they don't have my size," Bart said.
The lack of clothing option for big men is a problem Miko can relate to very well. In fact, in one of his first shoots, his stylist had to improvise on a medium shirt when he was supposed to be wearing bigger sizes. "There were supposed to be XXL and XL tall shirts, but instead regular mediums showed up, which doesn't fit me!" Miko said. "The stylist actually had to cut every single shirt from the back up like a hospital gown, and then everything was pinned in place."
"In 2016 everybody has some vanity. Everyone wants to wear great clothes and everyone wants to look fashionable," Bart added. "We have to start asking for more options."
A photo posted by Zach Miko (@zachmiko) on Mar 13, 2016 at 1:18pm PDT
