8 Reasons to Love Zach Miko, Fashion's Plus-Sized Model of the Moment

The fashion industry has undergone a revolutionizing upheaval in the past few years with the increased inclusion and visibility of plus-sized models.
With natural, curvy bodies and to-die-for looks, these models represent a good majority of the female demographic. Unfortunately, for a while it seemed like promoting body positivity stopped there. After all, men aren’t supposed to be insecure and ashamed of their bodies, right?

Well, that notion is about to end. Breaking barriers in all senses, Zach Miko just became the first plus-sized model to be signed to the iconic IMG Models' new plus-sized division, called "Brawn," according to WWD.

Promoting the image of a healthy male body, this campaign aims to include not just the muscular, chiseled men of society, but men who fit a more realistic image of the fashion landscape.

We're already head-over-heels in love with Zach, but you should be too. Why?! Here’s why:

1. Just look at him!

Standing at 6-foot and 6-inches tall with a 40-inch waist, Zach is literally all brawn, and we're here for it. 

2. He’s part of a hilarious comedy music duo called The Dreamstalks.

This is something you might have never seen or heard of before. Through original music and lyrics, the team combines blunted truths learnt by adults and presents them to the audience through a childlike interaction, or how a child’s show would be.

There's nothing better than a man with a sense of humor!

3.  Zach may be married, but look how in love he is with his wife Flossie Miko!(via Zack Miko's IMDb) 

Does this not make you want to eat tons of carbs and cry?

4. He called Target out on their not-so-body-positive bullshit in an interview with People Magazine.

"There were supposed to be XXL and XL tall shirts, but instead regular mediums showed up, which doesn't fit me!" he said. "The stylist actually had to cut every single shirt from the back up like a hospital gown, and then everything was pinned in place."  

5. He's a huge fangirl, just like us.

In an interview with WWD, Miko gushed on about fellow plus-sized model Ashley Graham (who we also love!), the poster-child for plus-sized models in the world today.

He said:

"Ashley is a superstar. A couple articles came out and said, 'He’s the male version of Ashley Graham,' which is awesome. Thank you for even putting me in the same paragraph as her. She changed the conversation of what beauty is. If I can do only a fraction of what she does, I will be so honored."

6. Even with all of his newfound fame, he chooses to not lose focus of the bigger picture.

“Women of all shapes and sizes are beautiful and confident and sexy,” he said. “The conversation has changed from ‘This is what beautiful is’ to ‘What is beautiful?’ I am humbled to be able to raise that question for the men’s industry,” he said in a report on BuzzFeed.

7. He says what most of us forget to remind ourselves of...

"You are beautiful the way you are right now," Zach said in BuzzFeed. "Who you are — no matter what shape or size or age or what have you — is attractive, desirable, and valid."

8.     …and he is such an inspirational figure. He makes you want to get off your butt up and go out there and get what you want.

"We have been told for so long that beauty is this one thing, but times are changing," he said. "It’s a new conversation. Beauty comes in every variety. If you want to be a model, go do it. Dress up, take pictures, post on your Instagram, tell a story, be proud of who you are right now. Put yourself out there. You never know who is watching."