Boy is the UK’s most successful plus-size child model

A mother whose son is the UK’s top plus size child model believes her boy’s success is helping inspire other young people to actually lose weight.

Adrian Mead, 12, from Amersham, Buckinghamshire, has been working as a plus size model since her was seven and his mother believes modelling the bigger clothes has given her son the confidence to beat bullies, become self-confident and take up sport

‘I am so proud he is the UK’s top plus size boy model. I know thanks to Adrian lots of other big kids won’t be bullied or teased,’ learning support assistant Julia, 35, told Femail. 

‘He is proof that if you give bigger children nice clothes it inspires them to want to eat better, be more active and study harder, rather than comfort eat.’

Adrian who is 4ft 4in has just started year 8 and is big and heavy set, wearing a school uniform with a 32 inch waist and a 30 inch leg – the equivalent of an adult male’s medium.

Rather than letting his size make him a target his mum Julia says his modelling, and pride because he is wearing plus size clothes that fit has given him the confidence to take up sport. 

Adrian’s mother Julia said that modelling has given her son the confidence to get involved in sport and has stopped him being bullied for his size 

He got into modelling when Julia heard about the plus size agency MORE FOR KIDS UK through a family friend. 

‘When Adrian had the chance to model for a specialised kids plus size clothing company I jumped at it,’ she explained. ‘I wanted him to be able to wear age appropriate clothes that fitted his build and I knew instinctively if this happened his confidence would increase and he’d be more active. 

‘Dressing kids in tracksuit pants and big jumpers and hoping they will lose weight won’t work. We have to teach them pride and self-confidence and clothes do that,’ she says.

‘Adrian’s clothes have become the extra level of armour he can wear when he goes to school. A suit of armour that now give him the safety to try sports, be more active and not be targeted,’ she says adamantly.

The youngster does regular shoots for catalogues as well as catwalk shows 

The 12-year-old himself is proud to be a plus size children’s model and enjoys photoshoots and fittings. 

‘It makes me feel happy because I know that it will help children who find it hard to buy clothes that fit comfortably and properly. I want other children to feel happy about themselves and who they are,’ he said.

‘It doesn’t make you feel good when you go to buy clothes and nothing fits properly. You feel terrible inside. Having clothes that fit makes me feel really proud and happy and I know other kids will feel the same.’

THE MODELLING AGENCY FOR PLUS-SIZE KIDS  

Founder of MORE FOR KIDS UK Caroline Taylor said that Adrian is a ‘great role model’ as a successful model.’

‘He will grow up and into as healthy body. He won’t be a plus size model all his life. End every time I see him I see a child who is healthier and happier. Ki

Kids deserve to look good no matter what size and to fit in and the number of parents who have emailed us saying our clothes changed their kids’ lives reflects that.’

Caroline, a mother-of-two from Radlett, started MORE FOR KIDS UK an agency and clothing brand when couldn’t get clothes for her own plus size children.

‘When my daughter was nine she was having to wear a ladies size 12 because we struggled to find age appropriate plus size clothes,’ she recalled. ‘She ended up in jogging bottoms and suffered a lack of self-respect.

Caroline with her children who inspired her to set up her business, after she struggled to find age-appropriate plus size clothe for her daughter 

‘At the time there were virtually no plus size clothes available and when I did find a dress, normally from the US, or shirt and jeans that suited we’d celebrate because the kids finally felt like one of the gang. 

‘They constantly asked for more items and you could see them physically walk with more pride when they were dressed nicely.’

‘Kids who are big and picked on are less likely to join in and with all the news about obesity issues kids who are big feel even more under the microscope and targeted. 

‘That’s why we encourage kids who are big to model for us and help us design clothes and be involved in the process giving input into the cut, design, material even buttons. 

The entrepreneur showing off her designs at a trade show 

Adrian’s been great and he is helping me design a new suit for boys who are big.’

Caroline set up her business in 2012 after a friend suggested she understood the issues and was proof not all parents have slim kids.

‘I knew this was a growing market. Obesity is a massive problem in the country. However my business is a way to help kids lose weight because they will finally feel happier about themselves and more interested in going out and playing sports.’

Before launching her business Caroline spent months trying to source clothes from the US. 

She found some she could import, but she’s since started designing her own range, which includes chinos and jeans, tops, dresses, jackets, polo tops and shorts and a suit for boys.

The entrepreneur starting importing plus size clothes from the US but now designs her own 

‘Since 2014 demand for plus size kids clothes has been overwhelming. Quarter on quarter business is doubling,’ she said. 

‘We get hundreds of emails and thank you notes from families, mums and grandparents who have purchased outfits for their kids from us and who say finally their child is smiling.

‘But we are also proactive about weight loss, healthy food education and exercise. We send flyers on options in with clothes. There is information on the website and we promote health awareness and dealing with being overweight or obese as a critical thing for parents and kids.’

‘I don’t hide from the fact our company aims to help overweight and plus size children. It’s crucially needed today more than ever. I know what it is like to clothe children with weight issues.

‘Kids who become victims of bullying because they don’t fit in develop a victim mentality and become victims in later life. For me ensuring our children have proper plus size clothes is also about protecting their mental health. Kids are not as resilient as you think when it comes to body image.

‘I am sure many people will think designed for the plus size kids market is encouraging kids to be plus size but it isn’t. Clothes are a critical tool in getting kids to lose weight.’

When Adrian was seven Julia couldn’t find him clothes that were age appropriate. 

‘It was a battle to get shorts and shirts that fit and didn’t just have an extra 10 centimetres added to the cut. He was miserable, didn’t want to go and play with his friends and I was frustrated,’ she recalled.

As a child Julia says she also had Adrian’s plus size build. 

‘I was big and I know what he is going through. I eventually slimmed down but a lot of Adrian’s current size is due to genetics,’ she said. 

A friend of Julia’s sister knew of a lady who was looking plus size child models and suggested Adrian. It was, according to Adrian and his mum, a life changing for moment and he hasn’t stopped modelling .

Adrian, 11, wearing adult men’s clothes on the beach with his mother Julia 

‘I wanted to do everything I could for my son. I knew that wearing ill fitting, non-age appropriate or badly cut clothes was just going to make him a bigger target for the bullies and ruin his self-esteem. 

‘If a big kid suffer from that then getting them to exercise and eat properly is even harder, it’s a vicious cycle and one I knew we’d break if Adrian had some properly fitted clothes. ‘she explains.

The turning point came when Adrian began modelling for Caroline’s agency.  

‘Suddenly Adrian was the centre of attention for good reasons. Caroline asked him to help her design shorts and chinos. 

‘For the first time in his life he was folding his clothes and keeping them neatly and it wasn’t a battle to get him to leave the house. He was proud of his outfits and taking pride in himself,’ said Julia.

‘When he asked to take some of his modelling pictures to school and kids in his class thought he was cool that’s when I knew we had done the right thing,’ she says.

Since then Adrian has been earning big money modelling. He does regular shoots for catalogues and online advertising for each season, and he does catwalk shows and commercial images.

‘He is allowed to keep a little bit of the money but the majority goes into a savings account for him.

‘He is big, I am not afraid to say that but the changes I have seen are all positive.

Adrian, 12, is Caroline’s most successful child model and she insists he’s a role model for other young people 

‘Now he loves swimming and takes part in PE and other sports. We eat healthy at home, Adrian’s become interested in cooking and we talk about healthy choices as well

‘He’s becoming muscled rather than gaining additional weight. That’s how I know he will eventually grow into an average size man. 

‘Some children can’t be put on diets and immediately change, other kids battle weight gain through puberty or genetic issues. 

Adrian on the beach with his family. The youngster is more interested in sport since finding clothes that make him feel confident 

‘Parents need to look at longer more achievable goals and clothes help make that happen. I know because it is working for my son.’

‘With big children or overweight children it is easy to blame parents or junk food or laziness and they are all factors. But to prevent adult obesity we need to encourage and help them. 

Give them nice clothes and they’ll be happier in themselves and more likely to want to join a sports team, to eat better and to pay attention in class – clothes do make the kid. It’s a more positive approach and kids don’t feel as targeted!