When I first started researching plus size influencers and the fashion movement they helped shape, I didn’t realize just how deep the roots go. What began as simple outfit posts and blog entries blossomed into a cultural shift that still resonates today. The deeper I dug into the world of plus size fashion bloggers, the more I realized how many of today’s influencer trends were born from these bold, brilliant bloggers who came before.

As someone new to this space, I quickly saw that it wasn’t just about clothes … it was also about visibility, access, and respect. Platforms like The Curvy Fashionista weren’t just blogs; they were lifelines. At the center of this revolution were plus size fashion bloggers, like Marie Denee, who built a legacy while showing the world that plus size fashion isn’t niche, it’s necessary, and it’s here to stay.

This article is a look back but also a push forward. It explores how plus size fashion bloggers, influencers, and creatives took on an industry that tried to ignore them and how they’re still reshaping it, one look at a time.

The Rise of the OG Plus Size Fashion Blogger

There was a time when being plus size and loving fashion felt mutually exclusive. Most stores didn’t carry your size, fashion magazines rarely featured bodies over a size 10, and the “rules” for dressing were all about shrinking, hiding, and flattering; never about expressing, experimenting, or celebrating.

But everything changed when plus size women stopped waiting for a seat at the fashion table and built their own. They turned to blogs, started posting their looks, and shared styling tips—not to go viral but to feel seen. They weren’t influencers yet; they were revolutionaries. And they changed everything.

One of those pioneers? Our EIC and founder, Marie Denee.

In 2008, Marie launched The Curvy Fashionista because she couldn’t find a single resource that centered plus size fashion in a joyful, accessible, and empowering way. So she created one. With every blog post, brand spotlight, and trend round-up, Marie helped build a space for plus size women to see themselves reflected in style stories, not just before-and-after weight loss ads.

Her passion, professionalism, and bold presence caught the attention of major brands. Over the years, she’s partnered with Chevy, Nordstrom, and was one of 12 in Marina Rinaldi’s international “Women Are Back” campaign. She’s been at the forefront of the body-diverse fashion conversation, showing that style isn’t size-bound and neither is influence.

Marie’s work has also been recognized by Refinery29, in their 2022 article “The Advocates Pushing Size-Inclusive Fashion Forward”, naming her one of the leading voices driving real industry change. And it’s not just editorial recognition; Marie has built platforms, launched community spaces, and produced events that uplift plus size designers, models, and entrepreneurs.

From Blog Posts to Brand Power

Marie wasn’t alone. Alongside her were plus size fashion bloggers like Gabi Gregg, Tess Holliday, Nicolette Mason, Tanesha Aswathi of Girl with Curves, and Nadia Aboulhosn, who took their online presence and turned it into brand collaborations, modeling contracts, swimwear collections, and clothing lines. These women weren’t just blogging; they were creating a blueprint for what a size-inclusive future could look like.

Gabi Gregg and Nicolette Mason co-created Premme, a bold and edgy fashion brand specifically for plus size shoppers. Tess Holliday became the first size–22 model signed to a major agency and landed the cover of People.

Nadia Aboulhosn translated her signature edgy looks into collections with Boohoo and Fashion to Figure among many other collaborations. Tanesha kicked off the blogger collaborations with Lane Bryant and launched her own clothing brand while blazing the plus-size Tumblr space. The blogging world morphed into the influencer world; the change became impossible to ignore.

But Fat-phobia Isn’t Gone; It’s Just Muted

The online empowerment has been vital; however , fat-phobia still lingers in the real world. Fat people are still harassed in public spaces , denied proper healthcare , and stigmatized in dating and fitness communities. Even in fashion retail , plus-size employees often share stories of being unable to wear their own store’s clothes or watching customers walk out because the biggest size is a14 , if that .