Get ready to clear your coffee table—because PLUS is the book your style-loving, fashion-forward soul has been waiting for. Celebrated plus size fashion photographer Lydia Hudgens is officially launching her debut photo book, and it’s a powerful, bold, and visually stunning love letter to plus size bodies. Published by Smith Street Books and available for pre-sale now via Rizzoli, PLUS is more than a book. It’s a movement.
Why This Book Matters
In an industry that has long treated size inclusion as a trend—or worse, an afterthought—PLUS demands that we see plus size fashion as aspirational, editorial, and absolutely essential. With over 300 pages of striking imagery, this hardcover book delivers what the mainstream fashion space continues to avoid: expansive, intentional representation that doesn’t water itself down for palatability.
“Creating a book like Plus had always been something I wanted to do,” Lydia Hudgens shared with us. “Post-pandemic, the industry had shifted—plus size representation at runway shows had slowed, and I didn’t feel that the existing images reflected where we are today. I knew I wanted to create new work that felt urgent and current.”
Behind the Lens: Lydia Hudgens
Known for her editorial eye and work with top influencers, Lydia Hudgens has long been a visual storyteller reshaping the narrative around body diversity. A plus size photographer herself, Lydia has photographed some of the most stylish and influential plus-size figures in the game—and now, she’s turning the lens toward a broader, more intentional purpose.
“I’ve always gravitated toward photographing larger bodies,” she says. “But the process of producing over 300 pages of editorial work in just about a year was an enormous undertaking… Plus was a necessary and deeply personal evolution of my work.”
What Makes PLUS So Revolutionary?
It’s not just the models (a mix of familiar faces and exciting new talent), or the striking styling, or the sheer presence of these images. It’s the energy behind it all. Every frame challenges what fashion has historically deemed beautiful. It’s a curated body of work that flows like a conversation—sometimes quiet, sometimes loud, always powerful.
“Casting was such a key part of the book,” Hudgens explains. “I wanted a balance—some recognizable faces and some newer talent… It was less about standalone hero shots and more about building visual conversations.”
Shot largely in-studio, the book offers an intimate look at plus-size fashion through a raw, emotional, and editorial lens. “The very first shoot I did for Plus was with Denka, a longtime collaborator and friend,” she remembers. “I actually started crying mid-shoot. It hit me just how important the work was—and how proud I was of what we were creating.”
Authentically Seen, Fiercely Celebrated
Lydia Hudgens is fiercely intentional about how she photographs plus size bodies—with dignity, nuance, and a rejection of outdated beauty norms. “I believe in keeping things real: stretch marks, cellulite, body texture—these aren’t flaws. They’re human,” she says. “I’m not here to reshape bodies. I’m here to reflect the beauty of what already exists.”
This isn’t about “flattering angles” or token inclusion. Lydia Hudgens challenges photographers to elevate their work beyond cliché representation. “Don’t talk about ‘flattering.’ Don’t use words like ‘confidence’ as a shield. Just make space and treat [plus size models] with the same respect and creative investment you would give anyone else.”
A Visual Archive for the Movement
Beyond the fashion, PLUS is an archive—a visual protest and celebration rolled into one. It forces us to confront how little space has been given to bodies outside the norm, and then boldly carves out a new one. “Plus size bodies are not a trend—they’re part of fashion, part of art, and part of culture,” Hudgens says. “I hope this book creates space, challenges perceptions, and helps people feel more seen.”
From fierce portraits to quiet moments of vulnerability, PLUS redefines how beauty, fashion, and identity intersect. And as the industry continues to backslide on size inclusion, this book feels like both a call to action and a lifeline.
What’s Next?
After pouring everything into this project—while managing chronic pain and a limited budget—Lydia Hudgens is taking a well-deserved breather. But she’s not done. “I’ve also thought about doing a nude-focused book,” she teases. “I’d love to keep building on this foundation, but it all comes down to having the resources and support to do it right.”
Until then, PLUS is the moment. It’s a necessary addition to every fashion lover’s bookshelf and a rallying cry for deeper representation in editorial storytelling.
Ready to Own a Piece of History?
Pre-orders for PLUS are open now and you can pre-sale this book at Rizzoli, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble! Whether you’re plus size yourself, work in fashion, or simply want to support the kind of art that shifts culture, this book is one to own, gift, and celebrate.
As Hudgens puts it: “I want this book to challenge the idea that only certain bodies are worthy of being photographed, styled, or celebrated.”
The official launch of PLUS by Lydia Hudgens kicks off on Tuesday, September 2 in the US, Canada, and Australia, with the UK and Europe following closely on September 4.
Let’s turn the page on exclusion. This is what plus size fashion looks like. And it’s beautiful.
