Are We Finally Seeing Plus Size Representation at Fashion Week? Maybe…

Have you been noticing more and more plus size representation on the runway for fashion week? Well… you are not alone. On September 21, 2017, The Fashion Spot released its bi-annual diversity report tallying up model representation in 2,601 runway appearances at 94 major shows from London Fashion Week to New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018. The Fashion Spot looks at race, size, age visibility in their reporting. For the first time ever, there were 90 appearances of plus size models accounting for a total of 3.46% of all models on the runway. If that doesn’t sound like progress, keep in mind that in Fall 2016, there were only four plus size models on the runway.

The first plus size line to show at NYFW was Eden Miller’s Cabria in 2013. During a group presentation by the Fashion Law Institute, Miller showed a history-making plus size collection under the tents. But since 2013, plus size representation on the runway has been a slow climb. Despite only account for less 4% of all models on the runway, this season felt like an important shift in representation. i-D declared that SS 2018, had “more body shape diversity than ever.”

While size inclusive designers Christian Siriano and Chromat lead the way with ten and eleven plus size models respectively, plus size retailers Addition Elle and Torrid accounted for 56 of the 90 appearances with their plus size only shows. Michael Kors, Prabal Gurung, Michael Costello, Tracy Reese, Tome, Eckhaus Latta and Anna Sui all featured at least one plus model.

Kamahl Sami- Miller