Words by Wilfred Ntow-Boahene
A bold trailblazer, James Corbin’s story is one that sees a talented model dropping all self-doubt in favour of a meteoric rise that landed him on the cover of Vogue Italia.
As he narrates his incredible rise to the forefront of British plus-sized modelling, the conviction in his words is undeniable. A level of confidence that, he admits, would have been absent a mere three years ago. We covered various topics during our hour-long chat but it’s clear to even the most oblivious of folk – James Corbin knows who he is, where he is going, and the impact he has on the plus sized modelling industry.
First ever plus-sized male to be in Vogue.
First ever plus-sized male to be in Levi Jeans campaign.
Walked for Christian Cowan during Paris Fashion Week.
These are a few of James’ accolades in such a short time span and it’s only the beginning. Oh, and he’s unapologetically popping his collar whilst he goes about it too.
Growing up in South London isn’t for the faint-hearted – Brixton to be specific. “I enjoyed being young, but I did build a bad relationship with how I saw myself visually, I‘ve always been a bigger kid and felt bigger than everyone else.” He continues, “I wasn’t comfortable in my skin at all.” Society’s desired aesthetic of tall, skinny, and light-skinned in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s didn’t suit James and, as is usually the case, snide comments and backhanded compliments from his peers painted the picture of his adolescence. “I accepted the idea that being dark-skinned, and a bigger build wasn’t desirable and internalised all these negative comments as a coping mechanism.” Said James. “In a strange sort of way, I used the negativity as a source of faux confidence.”
So how does a person go from self-doubt to starring in collaboration with the fashion world’s biggest brands?
James has always had an eye for artistic freedom, a passion which led him to photography in secondary school. He briefly details purchasing his first camera and saving years’ worth of school lunch money to buy all the editing tools he’d need, “I loved anything to do with creativity and photography and at the time I thought I’d be a photographer.” That explains the IG name then, James (@Corbincaptures).
Photographed by Ekua King
Photographed by Steph WIlson
Photographed by Iringo Demeter
After graduating with a Film & Television bachelor’s degree in 2020, he joined the masses of fresh grads stuck in career limbo as the world battled a pandemic. Modelling had never crossed his mind so when a request from a Vogue Italia casting director appeared in his DMs, he naturally assumed it was to work in production. Ever the opportunist, James accepted the offer, “I didn’t know what was going on to be honest, I just saw it as a chance to leave my house without getting arrested.” It was only when he arrived on set that reality set in. He was modelling for Vogue Italia.
THE Vogue Italia.
Feeling out of place, it was the encouraging words of an iconic photographer (who’d worked with the likes of Beyonce and Rolling Stones) that settled James. He recalls the words fondly, “James you’re beautiful, this is what you’re meant to be doing.” A rookie in the modelling game and unsigned at that point, the pressure of having to perform for a big brand with a global reach could have crumbled James; he shined instead. “It was such an intense shoot, there were 30 people on the other side of the camera expecting a high standard and I had to deliver. I don’t know what it was, but something just came over me and I was ready.”
Even after this incredible experience James’ battles with internalised self-doubt continued. So much so, he kept the shoot secret from everyone, “I remember thinking who would believe me? I didn’t even believe in myself at that time. I had such a bad relationship with the way I saw myself.” That would all change after Vogue Italia published the campaign rapidly changing James’ life from housebound University graduate to budding global star, internationally signed in 5 countries. “Seeing people of all shapes and sizes, even those that fit society’s idea of beauty, tell me how much I inspire them to let go of how they viewed themselves when they were younger and feel comfortable in their own skin makes me really happy.”
For James Corbin, body positivity is all about how you treat yourself and these conversations with supporters bring confirmation that he has found his true calling. He plans to force the world’s eyes open to the beauties that differ from the accepted norm of rippling abs and lean physiques, pushing plus-sized modelling to the forefront of the fashion industry. “Many young people look to these platforms and don’t feel represented and me being here is making that change. I want to do more; I want to change this industry.”
Photographed by Brendan Freeman
Photographed by Campbell Addy
Photographed by Alex Beer
Change, however, is never easy. Despite early successes, James is no stranger to hurdles and setbacks as the fashion industry continues this learning curve. “As a trailblazer for my generation, the first to do a lot of things, I’m a troubleshooter in a sense.” He shoulders the responsibility readily, but from campaign rejections to ill-fitting clothes (despite James sending his sizes well in advance of the shoot) the journey hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows. “It won’t be an overnight process, but I believe we’re in a place where people are much more self-aware and that’s why we’re at a stage where I can even call myself a model. Brands need to continue making attractive clothing from the smallest sizes to the largest and set that generalised rule across the industry and media.”
James doesn’t put a timeframe on things, he just knows exactly where he’s heading, as far as he’s concerned it’s divinely prescribed: Supermodel status. Runways, shows, TV presenting, adverts, the lot. “My journey is based in faith. If I didn’t have God and I was relying on just myself, having faced the rejections and trials I’ve faced, I wouldn’t have been able to get this far.” Since becoming a model, he hasn’t rested on his laurels, picking up industry-skills as he goes with plans to direct, write, and style for the biggest campaigns in his future. He does a lot more than the average model, and he plans to keep it that way. “As I continue on, I’m realising my voice, my input has a lot of value to help make fashion more inclusive for people of all sizes.”
When he’s old and grey with the fashion industry in a more inclusive state than he found it, how will history look back on the James Corbin era? In his own words:
“A trailblazer who fearlessly took risks to evoke change.”