NEW YORK - For the first time, a plus-sized model will be featured in a campaign for Ralph Lauren.

The high-end fashion designer has chosen Robyn Lawley, 23, a size-12 model from Australia, to grace the pages of its latest spread.

The Wilhelmina model began her career at 16, but she struggled to keep up with the industry's skinny standards.

Instead of giving up, Lawley embraced her figure and the industry soon took notice.

She became the first plus-size model to appear in the pages of Vogue Australia and has appeared in French Elle and Vogue Italia.

"Robyn is absolutely paving the way for fuller-figured women to land these larger campaigns," said Jen Garcia, a senior writer at People magazine. "She's happy in her own skin, and that's something a lot of girls can look up to."