Meet the 29-stone male model breaking down barriers in fashion for larger men

A 29-stone man who was once so ashamed of his weight he almost turned his back on fashion is now a plus-sized model who has walked the runway at New York Fashion Week.

Arcadio Del Valle, 30, used to let his size XXXXXL frame hold him back from experimenting with style, but after sharing some of his risqué outfits alongside empowering messages encouraging other men to celebrate their bodies, he started clocking up online followers who were inspired by his body positive mantra.

The model’s honest take on fashion and body confidence catapulted him to new heights in September 2016 when plus-sized streetwear brand VOLARE scouted him to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week.

“Walking down the runway was just surreal,” Arcadio said.

“My heart was pounding so hard, it almost came out of my chest.

“In my whole life, I had never done anything like that. It was one of my best moments.”

Since then Arcadio, from Boston, Massachusetts, has walked in three major runway shows, for VOLARE and another plus-sized fashion label Brandon Kyle, which he says has boosted his confidence even further.

“I wasn’t confident until about three years ago,” he says.

“Growing up in a world where the media urges you to look a certain way, to be a certain weight and to fit into a mould, it becomes engraved in your head.

“I wasn’t happy with myself growing up and in my early twenties.”

The turning point came when Arcadio spotted other plus-size models spreading body positivity.

“When I saw people like plus-sized model Tess Holliday loving their bodies and embracing fashion, it inspired me to start doing the same,” he explains.

“I began sharing photos of my outfits and my style on Instagram and I was inspired by the good feedback I was getting.

“My whole message is that even if you look a certain way or are a certain size, you can still love fashion and you can do anything you want.

“It’s been humbling to find this confidence in myself.”

Although Arcadio said the majority of comments he receives on his photos are positive, he is often attacked by trolls who leave cruel messages about his weight.

“They criticise my body shape and size and the fact that I wear makeup. They say I shouldn’t expose so much of my body because I’m big.

Arcadio says he is also accused of promoting obesity and sending the message that being unhealthy is acceptable, something he strenuously denies.

“All I want to do is to promote self-love and acceptance as you are, regardless your size, gender, or disability.

“My point is for you to take those flaws and use it to help others embrace it and work with it.”

Arcadio hopes that in the future, high-end brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton and high street stores will make clothes for people his size, so that everyone can embrace fashion, no matter their size or body shape.

“There is a market out there, if they just open their eyes. Bigger guys love fashion too. I just want everyone to be able to express themselves.”

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