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IMG Models has officially announced a plus-size division for males

Inclusivity for every body.

Struggling to have a positive perception of one’s body is not gender specific. For the most part, men have been left behind in the fashion industry’s push toward inclusivity.

But Tuesday March 15 could be the day that changed it all. The international leader of model management, IMG models, has officially announced a men’s plus-size division. It goes by the name, Brawn.

And Brawn has a mission: to promote physical strength.

Its first Brawn model/poster boy is Zach Miko. Aside from being 6’6”, he’s totally relatable. He’s got tattoos, a solid beard going, and more importantly, a healthy 40-inch waist. You may recognise him from Target’s Mossimo Supply Co campaign last year.

Managing director of IMG, Ivan Bart said of the change:

“The body positive messaging and size diversity is something that’s relevant and continues to be on everybody’s mind. We have to extend the conversation for men.”

Bart says that his past experiences partially contributed to the agency starting up this new division.

“I consider myself a beefy, stocky kind of guy or whatever buzzword you want to use. I’m in the fashion business and I’m required to dress fashionably but yet I have size issues,” Bart said.

“It becomes defeating when I don’t consider myself morbidly obese, but I go to certain stores they don’t have my size.”

We must be realistic. How are men supposed to dress fashionably when stores don’t allow them this luxury? Bart hopes that IMG’s new division will help brands to consider producing larger sizes for men.

This news is so fresh, there’s currently no word of the Brawn division on the IMG website or a Zach Miko model profile. At the moment it’s not certain whether the new department will be implemented worldwide.

*Furiously refreshes the IMG site*

[Image via WWD]

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