How AI Helps Fashion Brands Overcome the Challenge of Plus-Size Modeling

Representing body diversity is a core marketing component for all fashion brands. This has been a change in recent years. Gone are the days when brands would use a single body type to promote their garments. Instead, customers now want to see clothing on models that represent the whole spectrum of real-world body types, and it is up to marketing departments to deliver on that expectation.

Plus-size models are an important component of representation in the fashion world. However, as we’ll see below, using plus-size models is not always an easy thing for fashion brands to accomplish. Let’s take a closer look at why that is the case and how AI can come to the rescue with an efficient and cost-effective solution.

Why Plus-Size Representation Matters in Fashion

There are two pieces of the puzzle to consider with regard to representing a wide range of body types in fashion.

The first is social impact. Being inclusive with your brand is simply the right thing to do. It makes everyone feel welcome and seen. This is important in all areas of life, and running a company that aims to be accepting of everyone as they are is an accomplishment all on its own.

With that said, plus-size representation is also good business. According to a report from Allied Market Research, the plus-size clothing market was valued at almost $600 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow dramatically in the years ahead.

It’s one thing to sell clothing that fits a wide range of body types, but it’s another thing entirely to show how your products look on plus-size models. Surveys have shown that shoppers are more likely to buy when they see clothing that is being displayed on models that closely match their own body type.

From a purely business perspective, there is a huge opportunity here. These body types continue to be underserved in the market, so companies that make an investment here have a huge opportunity in front of them. When the pure business opportunity is blended with doing the right thing from a social impact perspective, leaning into the plus-size market is an obvious choice.

The Challenges of Hiring Plus-Size Models

Hiring human models is certainly one option for brands wanting to show off their products on plus-size figures. Unfortunately, there are some problems that come along with this plan that can make it hard to get a marketing campaign up and running effectively.

• Limited Availability. The pool of available models tends to skew toward slender body types. Plus-size talent is out there to be hired, but it can take a lot of time and effort to find the right individuals for your brand.

• High Costs. When you add everything up, the cost of a photoshoot with a plus-size model can be significant. In addition to paying the model, you’ll need to spend money on a studio space and a photographer, in addition to other incidental costs. It could be $5,000 per day or more to go this route.

• Lack of Flexibility. Once the photoshoot is completed, you won’t have the option to adjust those images easily or reshoot the session (without spending even more money). This can be particularly difficult to manage for brands with fast product turnover.

Between the costs, the difficulty of finding the right model, and the inflexible nature of photoshoots, many brands hesitate to go this route. That’s especially true now that we live in an AI age and have a modern solution available.

A Few Use Cases for AI-Generated Plus-Size Models

AI plus-size models can work effectively for any fashion brand. As long as a company has apparel that it wants to show off to the world, using AI is a great way to present those items quickly and professionally. Here are just a few ideas for how this technology can be leveraged to achieve great results.

• Social Media Campaigns. Using AI to quickly generate a diverse set of images to keep the company’s social feeds fresh and inclusive.

• Catalogs. Create seasonal collections that are modeled by AI images without having to incur the costs and time delays of hiring human models.

• Ad Testing. Spin up ad variations using AI to test out various strategies and see which works best before you invest in a big and expensive campaign.

• Global Reach. Plus-size AI modeling is only one option for a brand that wants to make an impact on the global stage. Also, explore including various ages and ethnicities for even better results.

These ideas are a starting point, but in reality, the possibilities here are endless. Once you start using a tool like FASHN AI, you can experiment with various prompts and concepts and you are sure to come across many different ways that AI models can be incorporated into your marketing efforts.

Creating and Styling Plus-Size AI Models with FASHN AI

If you are starting to get excited about the idea of using an AI tool to create quality modeling images for your brand, doing so could not be easier. FASHN AI is an easy-to-use, intuitive tool that will have you up and running in a matter of moments. Below, we’ll walk through the steps you can follow to have your own plus-size images ready to use today.

Model Creation with Prompt

On the home page within the app, choose the Model Creation option to get started with this process.

Write a short but descriptive prompt to tell FASHN AI exactly what you would like to create. In this case, we are going to use the prompt:

a plus sized model, curly hair

Click Generate AI Model, and in a few seconds, you'll see the result as shown below:

You can retry running the prompt for more options, or slightly adjust the result to your liking with the built-in variation and editing tools in the app.

If you're happy with the result, you can continue with this model to the Try-On Studio, to style her with your clothing products.

Clothing Try-On in Studio

Once you have your plus-size AI model, you can use the AI clothing changer in the Try-On Studio. Upload a garment photo as a flat-lay or on a person. The tool works best with photos where the clothing is already worn.

Click on Run and after a few seconds you'll see your plus size model wearing the clothing from the garment image.

Working with Flay-lay or Ghost Mannequin Product Photos

You can also use the Product to Model tool to go directly from a product photo to a plus-size model. Upload a flat-lay product photo along with a model photo to see the garment applied to the model.

This tool can be used with a text prompt to further control the appearance of the final image:

Click Run and see the amazing output in about 12 seconds:

With the Product to Model tool, you can also go directly from a product photo to a model wearing it, while using a text prompt to generate a plus-size model on the spot.

This approach makes it easy to test different model looks and scenes in a short amount of time.

Addressing Common Concerns

Making the switch from human models to AI images, or just starting with AI images in the case of a new brand, can come along with some concerns. If you have questions about this approach, the FAQs below may put some of your fears to rest.

Q: Will AI-generated plus-size models look realistic enough for customers?

A: Yes. It will only take a few minutes of experimenting with the FASHN AI tool to see just how realistic these models can be. You are likely to get great results within your first one or two prompts, and you can dial in the finished product from there to create something that you will be proud to display to your customers.

Q: Isn’t it more authentic to use human models rather than AI?

A: Human models will always have a place in fashion. With that said, the advantages of AI-generated images offer brands a way to scale quickly and get their products in front of the target audience as soon as possible. It’s also easier to hit goals around inclusivity when AI models are incorporated into the marketing process.

Q: How much money can brands actually save with AI models?

A: Savings can easily run into the thousands of dollars and beyond when you switch to AI models. Consider how much it would cost to secure studio time, a photographer, and the various other components that are needed to bring a professional shoot together. Only a slight fraction of that investment will be required to use AI models effectively.

Q: Can AI models help small brands as much as big retailers?

A: Small brands may benefit even more from AI models than large retailers. Big companies can afford the significant costs associated with photo shoots and hiring models, but small companies just can’t fit those expenses into the budget. For brands of all sizes, AI models can play a key role in the future of building effective, timely marketing campaigns.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Fashion Campaigns with AI

The fashion industry is evolving quickly. Representing a wide range of customers through diverse product modeling is no longer optional, it’s an expectation.

Meeting this demand with traditional methods can be costly and complex, but FASHN AI provides a practical alternative. From global retailers to independent brands, AI-generated models make it possible to showcase inclusivity at scale, while reducing the time and expense of traditional shoots.

By incorporating AI into the creative process, fashion companies can keep pace with market expectations and build campaigns that are both inclusive and efficient.

👜 Start Creating with FASHN AI