1/12Ashley Graham at Michael KorsThis season felt very different because for the past few years, fashion has been talking about inclusivity, but now designers are practicing what we’re preaching. We saw multiple curvy women on the runway and designers weren’t squeezing them into sample sizes, they were creating clothes in their sizes, showing curves in a beautiful way. It was very special being in the Michael Kors show, and it was not only a dream come true but a moment that I’ll never forget. Michael [Kors] has been designing extended sizes for a while, but by showcasing them on the runway, he’s showing that every woman should be represented.
2/12Candice Huffine at Prabal GurungIt was 100 percent different than seasons prior by leaps and bounds. The most obvious difference being that I booked shows. Though this was not my first time walking during NYFW, it was my first time booking multiples from go-sees. I had been in show packages many times before with no request to cast or fit me. This time when I arrived at the showrooms, there was clothing waiting for me. Well-thought-out dresses made to fit me as closely as possible, with room for adjustments. I could see and feel there was a real commitment among the designers to represent all types of women on the runway that had not been there before. Everything just felt right. It felt like I belonged.
Photo: Yannis Vlamos / Indigital.tv3/12Marquita Pring at Prabal GurungEvery year Fashion Week is more and more inclusive, but for the first time I could really see that progress has been made. Both Tome and Christian Siriano included more curvy models in their shows than the year before, and Prabal Gurung included Candice and me in his show—which was a first for him! I finally felt like I was accepted as a model and not used as a gimmick for press.
Photo: Edward James / Indigital.tv4/12Georgia Pratt at TomeEven though I realize we are taking baby steps and these baby steps are something to be recognized, I am looking forward to the day when designers can feel confident enough to be more ambitious with designing for, and dressing, women of different sizes. I want to see them put us in untraditional shapes, use color and layers as they do the rest of their collectsion, be unpredictable and thoughtful, and really commit to playing a role in changing the way we think about dressing women of all sizes.
Photo: Luca Tombilini5/12Denise Bidot at ChromatBecca McCharen-Tran from Chromat has the best backstage vibes. She encourages us to be strong and powerful, and she has this sign backstage that reads “You Are Now a #ChromatBabe. Walk Fast, Powerful, Strong. Women Taking Over the World!!” Seeing that before hitting the runway sets the tone for her entire production. This was my sixth time walking in a Chromat show, and I’m still humbled and inspired by not only the collectsions but also by the casting of each season. It’s diverse, inclusive, and very different from most.
Photo: Luca Tombilini6/12Sabina Karlsson at ChromatWalking during Fashion Week is always something I enjoy, even more so now when being in my true size. I loved seeing more diversity among the models. Diversity is now and the future.
Photo: Yannis Vlamos / Indigital.tv7/12Alessandra Garcia-Lorido at Dolce & GabbanaThe fact that 27 curvy models walked is a huge step forward for size diversity. What was also super-exciting was the casting in general and the movement toward designers showcasing diversity across the board. The casting process was definitely more inclusive, which meant us curvy girls had a chance to get our foot in the door just like any other model.
Photo: Yannis Vlamos / Indigital.tv8/12Iskra Lawrence at Christian SirianoMy first year walking in New York Fashion Week, I walked in one show. I remember standing backstage at Chromat, looking around and thinking this was going to be my one shot—so I better make the most out of it and soak it all in. However, to my surprise (and delight), this year I was booked in two shows—Chromat and Christian Siriano. Looking around this year, I was so impressed to see so many different body shapes and sizes represented, as well as different races and ethnicities. I would love to see continued growth and these same improvements being reflected in other Fashion Weeks around the world as well, especially at home in the U.K.
Photo: Edward James / Indigital.tv9/12Jocelyn Corona at Christian SirianoFashion is diversity. It’s always a continuous changing game, so there are two options: keep doing the same thing or be part of the change, and we are definitely working on it! I felt like this season the door was open to all of us and it’s time to celebrate being different. As Christian [Siriano] said, “People are people.” Christian has a different vision of fashion, and you can tell with that amazing show. He just put everything together: different cultures, looks, body types, diversity—and that’s what people like to see.
Photo: Edward James / Indigital.tv10/12Precious Lee at Christian SirianoWalking this year for Christian Siriano for a second season was epic. I think it’s time for all designers to make that move toward diversity not only in size but models of color. It’s 2017 and there’s no excuse. We represent such a large portion of this industry. I applaud the designers that used curvier models this season, but the amount of designers and models used to the ratio of curvier models and black models did not make me feel “included.” It did make me feel like a conversation was being started. I know that designers and casting directors are watching and I trust they will make the right decisions next season to include more diverse models. Not only because it’s right, but because it’s beautiful.
11/12Kate Syme at H&MThis season we’ve seen an epic wave of diversity on the runway, and it’s been such a success; I hope it encourages more and more designers to celebrate even more versions of beauty in the future. If you make the clothes in a size, send it down the runway! We’re in an amazing position to be able to empower women to feel fabulous about themselves, and it’s absolutely time to do that. It’s a joy for me to be a part of the movement dedicated to celebrating ourselves!
Photo: Luca Tombilini / Indigital.tv12/12Stella Duval at H&MI just have to say how honored I felt being invited to walk for such a progressive brand as H&M. Since I was a little girl, I wanted to be on the runway. I would watch fierce models strut down the aisle like a queen and copy their walk down my hallway in my mom’s oversize heels. After trying to fit the standard runway size for years and continually failing, I gave up on that dream. Thankfully the fashion industry is finally beginning to recognize that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and is allowing me the opportunity to live my dream as a curve model walking alongside some of the most famous models in the industry.
