BGM has been such an integral force in progressing the fashion industry’s perception of women over the years. There have been a lot of “first’s” that BGM has instigated. Here are some milestones that have made us who we are.

First plus-size photo shoot for Cosmopolitan Magazine (2000)

The first ever photo shoot for Cosmopolitan Magazine happened because Mia reedman who was the Fashion Editor at the time for Cosmo Magazine instigated a new section in every issue called “Body Love”. Those pages were dedicated to showcasing clothes that went beyond a size 8 or 10 and to use ‘real’ body shapes showing clothes on all different shapes. This section was a huge hit and because of the success, Mia wanted to take it a step further and use a ‘plus size’ model in an 8 page mani fashion spread, the model chosen for this was Natalie Wakeling.

The wonderful thing about this main fashion feature was that not one word was used to describe the model as being plus, large model or a bigger girl. The feature was just showing a beautiful young women wearing up to the minute, on-trend clothing, looking fantastic. The response was absolutely overwhelming…this was in the days before everyone had a computer and women all over Australia responded by writing a letter to Mia. They received thousands of positive letters saying how refreshing it was to see such a beautiful model that they could relate to. Plus-size models were finally being recognised thanks to Mia Freedman and of course the gorgeous Natalie Wakeling.

Natalie went onto to shoot many campaigns for Cosmo including being on the Cover of Cosmo Pregnancy when she was having her first child Ethan – born in 2002.

First plus-size runway show at Sydney Fashion Week (2009)

You know when you have an idea, and at the time it seems so far fetched that to make it happen seems impossible?! Enter the fabulous Phil Ryan and Carley Turner from City Chic (Australia’s leading plus size brand for women). They too had a vision to put their brand and our models together for the very first time to walk the runway of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in August 2009. Several meetings with key people made our dream a reality.

This was the first time in the history of fashion weeks in Australia that had a runway show, solely dedicated to a plus size brand, using plus size models. What a progression!

It took a lot of organising but we pulled it all together and the result was amazing. Our top models Laura Wells and Elizabeth Green opened and closed the show and 16 other BGM Models walked the catwalk to thunderous applause from the audience.

First plus-size runway show at Melbourne Fashion Week (2010)

After ticking the Sydney fashion week box, it was Melbourne’s turn. Every March, Melbourne hosts the L’Oreal Fashion Festival Week, City Chic and BGM joined forces again to open the week on a catwalk in Federation Square. Hundreds of people had to crane their necks to see our models because they all looked so amazing!

Laura Wells closed the show in a ‘show stopper’ especially designed for her for the finale, and BGM and City Chic cemented their presence in the Australian fashion scene.

The press that followed the show was a priceless outpouring of support and surprise at how sexy our models were!

Re-Creation of the famous Herb Ritts Supermodel shoot (2007)

The late 80′s and early 90′s marked the era of the Supermodel. Modelling was at it’s height and so became the constructed image of what it meant to be “beautiful”. The famous photographer Herb Ritts took this photo of Supermodels Stephanie, Cindy, Christy, Tatjana, and Naomi to demonstrate the real, naked, beautiful aspect of models.

Nearly 20 years later, and charged with the continuous will to progress the fashion industry, BGM Models set out to re-create this timeless photo and show what the modern take on beauty actually meant. This photo features BGM models through five decades of modelling: Joni (Teenager), Liz (20′s), Pippa (30′s), Tracy (40′s) and Karen (50′s).

This photo sparked quite the media frenzy and initiated an overwhelming positive response from the general public about what it meant to be beautiful. An incredible milestone for BGM and the fashion industry to accept and celebrate such an iconic recreation.