Ford Models
111 5th Avenue, Fl 9
New York, NY 10003
Ford Models Inc., founded in 1946 by legendary fashion-industry pioneers Eileen and Jerry Ford, is the leading global management company for fashion talent within the model, photography, stylist, and hair and makeup artist communities.
Profile in the Plus Size Modeling Industry:
Many people in the plus size fashion industry consider Ford+ to be one of the leaders in plus size modeling. Their models are diversified in looks and talent and book some of the biggest editorials, magazines, campaigns, and publicity. The development of this talented board of models has been lead by Gary Dakin, Jaclyn Sarka, and Maia Holmes who are the agents behind plus models Candice Huffine, Marquita Pring, Kate Dillon, Ashley Graham, Inga Eiriksdottier, McKenzie Raley, Maiysha, Crystal Renn,, Alyona Osmanova, and many more. Candice Huffine, Marquita Pring, and Michelle Olson, along with W Curve model Kasia P and IMG Model Tara Lynn made international headlines with the “Curves Ahead” editorial that was featured in V Magazine’s Spring 2010 issue and photographed by Solve Sundsbo. This was soon followed by Ashley Graham’s Lane Bryant television controversy that made all of the major news networks after ABC and Fox refused to air the racy commercial even though similar lingerie commercials with straight size models received preferential air time. Ashley Graham became a recognized plus size model as the controversy continued and was then featured in OMagazine and Bust Magazine. Ashley Graham then landed a campaign in Spring 2011 with Levi’s Curve ID and fellow Ford+ models McKenzie Raley, Candice Huffine, Marquita Pring, and Sabina Karlsson.
Candice Huffine then went on to make plus model history with W Curve model Robyn Lawley and IMG model Tara Lynn when they landed the front cover of Vogue Italia’s June 2011 issue. The feature editorial was photographed by Steven Meisel and featured the three models plus Marquita Pring in what has been considered one of the best plus model editorials to date.
The model that really paved the way for many other plus size models in the industry has been Ford’s star Crystal Renn. Crystal Renn became a plus model after suffering with anorexia in the straight size modeling world. As a plus model, Crystal hit her stride and landed editorials in Vogue Paris, Vogue Germany, Elle Canada, V Magazine, Glamour, and editorials for Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Lord and Taylor, and many more. While no longer a plus size model, Crystal paved the way for many other plus models across the world.
Recently, Ford models have taken the bar and raised it further with their own series of editorials that have elicited a bit of controversy. The two most recent have been dubbed the “Blonde Story” and “Models of Color”. The “Blonde Story” featured plus models McKenzie Raley, Michelle Olson, Inga Eiriksdottir, Leah Kelley, and Alyona Osmanova and was photographed by Taghi Naderzad. The “Models of Color” editorial features plus size models Tonya Pittman, Marquita Pring, Sabina Karlsson, and straight size models Damaris Lewis, Bre Joyner, Vanessa Fonseca, Jessi M’Bengue, Amber Tolliver, India Lane, and Elora Perez. The editorial was photographed by Michael Swartz.
While Ford+ is considered one of the leaders in the plus size modeling industry do not expect them to rest on their laurels. We are looking forward to see how they will raise the bar next.
