Breaking into the fashion world isn't easy, especially when society has long dictated what beauty should look like. But for one plus-size queer model, fashion is about more than just clothes—it's about representation, self-love, and proving that every body deserves to be seen.
In today's world, the most common advice is to embrace ourselves just as we are, because beauty isn't one-size-fits-all.
But when scrolling through social media, it's hard to miss the endless flood of airbrushed perfection—flawless skin, idealized bodies, and carefully curated filters.
Yet, standing against all of that is "Ady" Del Valle, a plus-size model who isn’t just changing the fashion game but challenging the way we see beauty itself. Here’s their story.
Weighing 449 lbs and proudly identifying as gay, Arcadio "Ady" Del Valle made waves in the fashion industry, refusing to be overlooked. Could this signal real change?
Their journey began in 2015, when Ady first started sharing selfies on Instagram. Becoming a model wasn’t part of the plan—they simply wanted to connect with others who shared their experiences.
But their love for fashion couldn't be ignored, even though they felt it was a world they didn’t belong to.
Instagram / _adydelvalle
That first step into social media felt like entering a space that seemed reserved for what’s considered "normal.". But for Ady, it became an opportunity to highlight what had long been ignored.
Born in Boston in 1987 and raised in a Puerto Rican family, Ady spent years watching fashion shows, model interviews, and reality TV, always as an outsider.
Everything changed in 2016 when an independent designer approached them with an unexpected request—walk the runway at New York Fashion Week.
Instagram / _adydelvalle
At first, Ady hesitated. The idea of stepping onto a catwalk felt completely out of reach. But encouragement from friends and family gave them the push they needed.
Just a month later, they were making their debut in an old New York church, alongside other XXXL-sized models, proving that fashion had room for every body.
Instagram / _adydelvalle
But Ady isn’t just about "a pretty face.". Their mission is about more than personal success—it’s about rewriting the standards that dictate who gets to be seen.
Their presence in the fashion world has sparked a much-needed conversation, pushing boundaries in an industry that has long excluded certain body types.
Their photos disrupt the status quo, marking a pivotal shift in how social media and fashion represent plus-size bodies.
From beachside photoshoots to poolside confidence, Ady refuses to conform.
Whether sunbathing in a swimsuit, pairing tulle with animal prints, or wearing lace bodices with bold cutouts, they shatter outdated stereotypes.
Plus-size fashion no longer has to be about covering up. Instead, it’s about highlighting individuality and self-expression.
Instagram / _adydelvalle
Now a vocal activist in the plus-size industry, Ady is determined to shift perceptions and ensure that people like them are no longer treated as outliers.
Instagram / _adydelvalle
And they’re doing it on their own terms. As they put it, "On Instagram, you're going to see very few photos of plus-size men in swimsuits because they get taken down. Different bodies get deleted. And ultimately, they're censoring someone who looks different because they're bigger, or because they're of color, or whatever. But we have more power than social media; without us, social media doesn't exist."
Instagram / _adydelvalle
When asked why society still finds an XXXL body controversial but accepts an XS without question, Ady offers a compelling perspective: "Since we are kids, we see on TV what beauty is, and we idolize it when we grow up because that's what TV and magazines teach us.
"But these days there's something different: with social media, people like me have an advantage. We can change that narrative so that others can see other bodies, and maybe one day TV and magazines will show these bodies, bodies like mine.". Maybe, just maybe, we are finally seeing the change we've been waiting for.
Our ideas of beauty are shaped by the world around us—what we see in media, in magazines, and on screens.
Challenging these ideals can feel like swimming against the tide.
But more and more, people like Ady are proving that real beauty isn't about fitting into a mold. It's about breaking it.
