Madelyn Jones
2021 ICON OF THE YEAR
Madeline Jones, along with her business partner Valery Amador, took the magazine world by storm in 2006 when they launched PLUS Model Magazine as a way to create change in the plus-size fashion industry.
She felt that by offering a media outlet geared towards full-figured women that were relatable and body-positive, those women would be inspired to be more confident and empowered to live their best lives.
Twelve years later, Jones has not only created change in the fashion industry but has successfully run a magazine that has since propelled the careers of many plus-size models and designers and has solidified a name for itself as one of the major media players in the plus-size world.
She’s an industry triple threat, having also become a successful style influencer, mentor and advisor over the last decade. She successfully launched her Ageless Style brand in December 2017, targeting those women over 40, like herself, with the mission to empower them to know that fashion is not dictated by age or size.
She has partnered with brands such as Fullbeauty, Lane Bryant, Avenue, Dia & Co, and Gwynnie Bee to expand on her Ageless Style brand, using the hashtag #AgelessStyle on social media to also make the brand evolve into a movement, which it has. She has also appeared as a live model on QVC for Marla Wynne, whom she worked with as an advisor and influencer as well, on her clothing line.
Jones has mentored many up-and-coming models, educating them on the how-to’s of the modeling world, as well as partnering with her husband Luke Jones to create User Generated Content for brands such as Dia &Co., Avenue, Lane Bryant, and others. Jones has also advised many plus size brands on their apparel assortments, campaigns and model choices.
Social media has also been a way for Jones to show off her relatable personality and industry knowledge. Having hosted Instagram and Facebook LIVE segments at major events such as theCurvyCon and The Curve Expo, as well as Instagram takeovers on brands’ channels, she has proven to be successfully influential when it comes to showcasing brands to their fans and customers on social media.
Recognized as a major plus-size industry authority worldwide, Jones has been interviewed by over 200 media outlets including CNN, World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer, The Today Show, Extra, Fox News and ET.
She is a prime example of someone who is passionate about continuing her mission of bringing change within the plus-size industry. She is fearless in her voice and in her role as an advocate for plus size women and now big and tall men, who also want to be represented and seen. Jones plans to continue to advise brands to show more diversity in their campaigns, expand her Ageless Style brand to include more video content, and keep PLUS Model Magazine in the media forefront of the plus-size industry.
Jones currently resides in New York City with her husband Luke and daughter Madison, where the husband and wife team operate LucasPicturesNYC.com together.