HUGHES MODELS Interview by Jeffrey Michael
Hughes Models were the first specialist plus size agency in the EU and UK, spotting a change in the market is key and Hughes have been instrumental in the birth of plus size modelling agencies in this country making them a prime target for a chat with SLiNK.
SLiNK: What brought about the start of your plus size agency? Hughes: Cheryl was working at an agency (back in the 80’s) where they already used very slightly bigger girls than the regular market and they were finding more and more clients were wanting bigger than the girls they had and then clients were asking for proper plus girls. Seeing the opportunity for a specialist agency in the marketplace Hughes Models was born, the first in the UK and EU. SLiNK: How different is it representing plus size to straight models? Hughes: The requirements for girls working in the Plus Size market are exactly the same as for straight models. The only difference is the size. Things like height, proportion, a good body tone, that special quality of all successful models to make the camera love them, ability to work fluidly in front of a camera. In other words to be truly successful they need the same “star” quality of any successful straight model.
SLiNK: Where do you scout girls from? Hughes: Everywhere from local cafe’s to Oxford Circus and Shows. We keep our eyes peeled at all times. We receive huge quantities of applications from our website. Also thanks to our longevity, we are lucky and get lots of referrals from within the industry. SLiNK: Most plus size agencies start from a size 12, do you really think that this is plus sized? Hughes: I think if you put a size 12 next to the size 4’s and 6’s that most of the couture shows and designers use then yes a 12 is plus size in comparison. If you compare our size 12’s to the normal woman out there, then no of course not. SLiNK: Vogue Italia have introduced Vogue Curvy and French Elle have put plus size on the cover, do you think we will see UK magazine’s following suit? Hughes: We can always hope and will forever keep on trying! In my opinion they are missing a great opportunity by not featuring some on 80
the most beautiful girls in the industry. SLiNK: What’s the best job you’ve ever got a girl onto? Hughes: I think a worldwide buyout for Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue was one of the best ones. Others would include exclusivity contracts for catalogues like GUS, Freemans and Kays. We do have a girl who currently has a six figure exclusivity contract with a well known Australian lingerie company. For the right girl there is plenty of opportunities. SLiNK: Do you think plus size models have a healthier body image, are they better role models for young women? Hughes: Certainly the girls that we represent, because it is about having a positive body image and you can be beautiful at a bigger size. I’d like to think that we promote women being comfortable being whatever size they are as long as they eat healthily and get regular exercise. We are certainly not into encouraging obesity as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle