Nadia Aboulhosn: How the Plus-Size Model Is Redefining Fashion & Body Positivity

Nadia Aboulhosn, a plus-size model born in Orlando, Florida, is reshaping the fashion industry through her distinctive style and activism for body positivity. Of Lebanese-American descent, she has amassed over 700,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content, inspiring women worldwide to embrace all body shapes.

A self-taught fashion enthusiast, Nadia moved to Harlem, New York, at the age of 22 and launched her blog in 2010, determined to express her passion after being turned away by FIT. Her career took off with a Seventeen Magazine photoshoot for their “curvy” section and a win in the American Apparel Model Competition. She has since worked with prestigious publications like Vogue Italia, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire, and appeared in campaigns for brands including Addition Elle and Boohoo.

As a designer, Nadia has demonstrated her commitment to inclusive fashion. Her Fall 2015 capsule collection, featuring 14 pieces in sizes 12–24 with minimalist and military-inspired designs, was showcased at New York Fashion Week and sold at Lord & Taylor. She also designed thigh-high boots tailored for fuller thighs, which sold out twice, along with lines for Boohoo Plus. Through projects like her video campaign “everyBODYisflawless,” Nadia promotes self-acceptance and challenges traditional beauty standards.

Beyond fashion, Nadia has become a cultural influencer, collaborating with H&M, Pat McGrath, and Lord & Taylor, and hosting conferences such as Create and Cultivate. She also operates a paid app offering podcasts and exclusive content, fostering a community centered on self-acceptance and female entrepreneurship. At 37, Nadia Aboulhosn continues to lead the charge for a diverse and inclusive fashion industry, breaking stereotypes of the “model-thin” figure.