Johanna Dray-the pioneering French plus size model

We have been enamored with her French curves, taken aback with her presence on Galliano’s 2006 Spring prêt-à-porter show, and enveloped in her first plus size modeled fashioned clothing line, yet, there are only a few who have had the opportunity to capture the essence of the infamous French model, Johanna Dray.

Appearing in French Vogue, French ELLE, Gala magazine, campaigns for Marina Rinaldi and Giani Forte, and most recently on the Price of Beauty with Jessica Simpson, Johanna Dray is a pioneering plus model in her own right! 

After starting her modeling career at the age of 21, her ten-year modeling career has surely established Johanna Dray as a name to know and to be reckoned with. On Runway Revolution, she was interviewed and asked about her beginnings, and she shares, “one morning on the metro when a photographer stopped to ask me if I was a model. I said no, and I was very surprised that he even thought of me like this. He said he wasn’t joking…” At a time where no plus-size division or model agency existed, Johanna knew she was charting new territory.

Fast-forward to three years ago, when Johanna was signed to Contrebande, after hearing through the grapevine about their new plus division. “They signed me right away, but there has not been that much more work even with an agent to help me. However they did arrange for me to meet the casting director at French Elle magazine…”

Talking fashion, many do not know this plus model also carries a background in fashion design, a field in which she studied before becoming a model. When asked about her fashion sense, Johanna shares, “as a plus-size woman I have my own vision for myself, and as a model I am also a small cog in the fashion machine to help women find a way to discover how to dress.” Her fashion sense and background are both what led a hand in her clothing line she designed, “Tend@nces en clair par Johanna Dray”.

Johanna Dray delves into her modeling with John Galliano, the industry’s response, and the message he wanted to convey, with the most comprehensive interview with Pippa from Runway Revolution. I suggest you head over there, read her interview, and peruse the site that so thoroughly archives plus size fashion, print, and fashion spreads of these pioneers in plus size fashion.

Thanks Pippa!