Plus-sized fashion isn't just for the ladies anymore.

On Tuesday one of the industry's most prestigious agencies, IMG Models, announced the creation of its Brawn division — a category that caters specifically to more full-figured men.

The news follows a wildly successful year for the agency's female plus-sized division, Curve. One of the group's biggest names, Ashley Graham, has been dominating headlines for her spot in Lane Bryant's #ImNoAngel campaign, landing a cover of Sports Illustrated's recent swim suit issue and lending her expertise as a commentator for E! News' Oscars red carpet coverage.

At six-foot-six-inches with a 42-inch waist, Zach Miko is joining the IMG family as the first model to be signed under Brawn.





NOW REPRESENTING: @zachmiko! 🎉 Introducing a new era of BRAWN at #IMGmodels. Click the link in bio to find out more. #📷 @leonardocorredor A photo posted by IMGmodels (@imgmodels) on Mar 15, 2016 at 2:33pm PDT

Before landing the deal, Miko was pursuing an acting and comedy career in New York City. He bartended at night and took on odd carpentry jobs to make ends meet.

After appearing in a Target campaign last year, he caught the eye of IMG Model's President, Ivan Bart — an experience Miko refers to as a "very humbling honor."

"IMG has been at the forefront of changing the conversation about beauty with their message of diversity, inclusion and evolution," Miko told Mashable. "This is the first time a major agency is signing a plus-sized man. It shows that [there's] not only the change in society and the change in the industry, but that these major movers in the fashion community believe in the change. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a part of [...] the evolution of the industry."

Image: Courtesy of IMG Models

But being a spokesperson for body positivity isn't something the 26-year-old ever imagined.

"Growing up I never felt handsome or attractive," Miko revealed. "I always thought I needed to be something else, some other size, some other shape something other than who I was. It honestly wasn’t until I met my wife that I started really feeling handsome and desired. Because of her and because of the overwhelming positivity from supporters I am really happy and proud of who I am."

"I am proud of being a big guy, and I want to always be a big guy. And I think we all can finally see there is nothing wrong with that."

Now, Miko celebrates his body.

"I am proud of being a big guy, and I want to always be a big guy. And I think we all can finally see there is nothing wrong with that."

As a role model for the big and tall community, Miko hopes to encourage men who struggle with body image issues and help bring an end to dangerous thought patterns.



"For some reason having self esteem issues as a guy has been considered, weak, or unmasculine," he told Mashable. "Because of this men have for the most part been silent on the issue. But issues with self esteem can be corrosive. It can lead to projecting your own insecurities onto others which can manifest in bullying to other men and women, and projecting insane standards onto women and objectifying them because of your own lack of security and self worth. It’s an insane cycle that can have disgusting consequences. We need more and more men to stand up and say they are truly happy with the size and shape they are and be genuine. Not some false machismo bravado but truly be happy and proud of who they are."

Image: Courtesy of IMG Models

Miko strives to alter the industry's vocabulary and see the word "big" evolve from an insult to a representation of power and strength.

He isn't focused on replacing chiseled male models or competing for their jobs but on altering unrealistic societal norms.

"I spent my whole life feeling bad about my body. It doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human."

"There is no definition of beauty," Miko explained. "Those models are beautiful yes, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t, or they are better than you in any way. I spent my whole life feeling bad about my body. It doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human. One body is no better than any other body. It is all about how you feel about it. Be proud of who you are, because who you are is awesome."

Introducing a plus-sized category for male models is a huge step in the right direction, but only addresses a portion of a larger conversation.

After Barbie revealed three new body types in January the internet wanted to know, "What about Ken?" The toned and handsome male doll still only represents one particular shape, which instills narrow-minded ideals of the perfect man. In an effort to satisfy this hole in the toy market one inventor started a crowdfunding campaign to manufacture a figure with "average" male proportions.

Long live the dad bod.

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