Plus Size Representation At NYFW 2023, And Why We Need More.
Plus Size Representation and Why We Need More With another New York Fashion Week in the books, we saw a multitude of exemplary collections, inventive shows, and endured yet another season of failed plus size representation. The comeback of early 2000s fashion has not only brought back low-rise waistlines, micro-mini skirts, and high-contrast color pallets; the Y2K body has returned and is more sought after than ever before. Being unattainably tall, and impossibly thin are the two main traits of the “ideal” runway body, and while there are a plethora of models who naturally look that way, we need to embrace other bodies as well. Over the last 20 years, our society has evolved in nearly every other capacity; it’s time we ditch a 20 year old beauty standard. Each year that goes by, it’s more apparent that most designers want bodies that fit their clothes, they don’t want to make clothes that fit every body. Brands should not be ticking an ethical box of inclusivity by only including one or two plus size models; they should want to rewrite the fashion industry narrative. After all, they set the rules. During this year’s NYFW, Selkie delivered the most diverse show, and arguably the most entertaining. Not only did they highlight plus-size bodies, they also held space for models of all ages, genders, and abilities. Instead of bodies being used simply as garment racks, it felt as if the clothing items were made for every model, making the pieces even more alluring. Throughout the show, there were a number of almost theatrical performances, and even a touch of burlesque. Selkie deserves its applause for another year of progressive runway casting. Christian Siriano similarly embraced more plus-sized models during his 15th anniversary show this season, sporting a collection full of “ballerina chic” looks. Siriano has been a lead trendsetter in making his runways and collections more size inclusive. He told Elle Magazine in 2018, “Adding plus sizes to my line tripled my business. Why wouldn’t you do that?! Do we not want to triple the business? Do we not think these women should wear our clothes? Do we not want these women to have beautiful things because we’re afraid they’re not beautiful? What is going on here?”
VCU Becoming: Fashion Show Review
If there’s one thing VCU has in abundance, its beautiful and talented students. This fact was best on display at this week’s Homecoming fashion show, “Becoming”. Helmed by VCU organization Heels Inc, this show was a vibrant display of fashion and culture in the VCU and greater Richmond communities.
A Look into Fashion Week in Richmond
Written by: Sara AdeliPhotography by: Lorallye Partlow While Richmond Fashion Week may not be as globally acclaimed as New York’s or Los Angeles’, it undeniably conveys a similar sense of vibrancy to celebrate local trends and designers. This is a city filled with history, culture, diversity, and— most importantly— some seriously delicious food. Above all, this city is adorned with an abundance of art, and fall fashion just happens to be this week’s prime masterpiece. The Fall Designer Show took place at the Dominion Energy Center and was the final event of RVA’s Fall Fashion Week. The event was an opportunity to showcase some of Virginia’s top models and emerging designers, as well as a couple of the city’s very own influencers. Luqman Haskett and Caroline Kalentzos, both of whom are fashion bloggers, emceed alongside one another for the show. Most of the featured collections were notable in their unique statements, while others were a bit more uninspired. The MK Vendetta collection was the most adventurous with textures. The garments featured lots of layered, sheer fabrics as well as sequins, studs, and lace. Additionally, it was one of the very few collections that included men’s wear. The brand Inceptual Sara was the star of smooth, glossy fabrics and certainly embraced the elegantly feminine woman. The Tough Cookie was introduced as a line designed for ‘women who cannot and will not be broken’. The garments featured lots of ruched and ruffle detailing, the juxtaposition of contrasting patterns, and two bold signature colors: bright, Ferrari red and electric blue. During the last run of the collection, the designer of the brand strut the runway with gray sweats and a band T-shirt. Her choice of accessory? A young boy and a girl in each of her arms. The designer’s self-presentation relayed a deeply genuine and personal sentiment towards the mission of her line, and it was a touchingly beautiful way to conclude the collection. Undoubtedly, the most memorable collection of the night belonged to Very Ashley. The brand seems to target the entrepreneurial businesswoman full of spunk and personality. Most pieces from the line incorporated traditional business wear with splashes of color or texture. While the apparel was versatile and fashion-forward, the component that made Very Ashley so striking was its inclusion of model diversity, both in shape and color. Co-host Luqman Huskett even commented, “Wow! This is the grown woman line right here.” All of the styled outfits were, without fail, complementary to the body and complexion of that particular model. Through this, it is evident that Very Ashley is doing something that needs to be mirrored within the entire fashion industry. The brand is not merely promoting diversity on a surface level, but they are consciously mindful of designing apparel that truly enhances and celebrates the beauty of all women.
EVOLVE Fashion Show 2019: How EVOLVE has Become a Voice in Diminishing Beauty Standards
Photographer by: Adriana Brown Story Written by: Adriana Brown Beauty Has No Limits Foundation best place to buy The fashion show was wrapped up with the models walking the runway wearing their Beauty Has No Limits t-shirts while carrying signs with empowering adjectives written on them. Models owned characteristics such as resilient, sexy, and genuine. The show was followed by a shop the runway event where attendees could buy looks straight from the runway. Later on, at Boulevard Burger and Brew the foundation announced that the fashion show has raised $7,000 for the Beauty Has No Limits Foundation. Beauty Has No Limits We would like to thank EVOLVE for allowing our team to cover their show this year. We would like to thank EVOLVE for allowing our team to cover their show this year.
Richmond’s 11th Annual Fashion Week Brings more Inclusivity to the Runway
Story By Aliviah Jones Photos By Stanley Tran When people think of Fashion Week they often think of big cities like New York and Milan but Richmond has a very unique way of showing that exquisite style can be found right here in Virginia’s capital. The 11th annual Day to Night fashion show presented the top designers and models in Richmond and surrounding areas, hosted by NBC 12’s morning news anchors Candice Smith and Anthony Antoine. The collections being shown represented a wide variety of people that the fashion industry tends to not shed light on. The Day to Night runway show took place at Stony Point Fashion Park which sponsors #RVAFW. Each collection was unique in it’s own way but there was a common theme that we don’t often get to see on other runways, Inclusivity. There were so many women and men in different age groups, heights and not to mention the diversity of race. In this day and age, inclusivity in fashion has become a hot topic being that in the past the fashion industry only catered to the size 0 demographic but some brands have come to realize that the average size for a woman in the United States is a size 18 and designers need to put that into consideration. The collections being show definitely proved you can look fabulous whether you are a size 2 or a size 16 or if you are 6”0 or 5”5. Many of the collections shown drew a lot of their inspiration from African-inspired prints with bright colors and designs. The show started with House of Klyde’s ready to wear collection that presented ready to wear day dresses as well as mens wear. There were a lot pieces that had earth-tone colors and bold contrast colors along with silk dresses. The collection by Klyde Wright also had a lot of classic pieces like the LBD, side-cinched tunic, and flared pants. The ToFREEYOURStyle collection by Charisa George proved that you can incorporate bold African prints into everyday wear all the while being sophisticated. The collection incorporated the use of color block with electric blue and yellow garment pieces and black and yellow and red and black.There were a lot of two-piece cropped sets as well that are perfect for a summer night on the town. The Abena Aforo collection also used the boldest colors I think the eye could ever see. Some of the pieces also had a very retro- 1970s vibe with wide-leg jumpsuits, colorful pantsuits. There was also maxi dresses with beautiful prints and frills. This collection is truly for the women who want to make a sophisticated statement when walking into a room. The Wala Afour collection which translates to “All we need is life” in the Ghanaian language by Bernie Adjei proved that there is a place in fashion for everyone. The collection had a lot of garments that were so rich in color, texture and patterns. Many of the pieces by Adjei had a lot of marble-esque patterns contrasted with teal blue, mustard yellow, and electric blue. The collection made you feel like you had just been transported back to the motherland. The Stitch by Chanel collection by Chanel Green was truly a 1970s time capsule. There were a lot of garments with bold colors like coral, and a very beautiful purple one shoulder dress. There was a lot of colorful jumpsuits and who can’t go wrong with a nice jumpsuit for the summer right? There was also some belted pant and top pieces that can really take you from work to drinks with the girls. The High Maintenance collection used a lot of Asian-inspired prints with a bold red and blue jacquard pattern. There were also very rich silk garments from two-piece pants, fuzzy tops and mini silk skirts. This collection sent a message about people often feeling marginalized within the fashion industry. Designer Michaela Bradley was inspired to start High Maintenance because she never felt properly recognized as a woman of color in fashion. These collections showed that fashion is and always will be for everyone no matter of what race, class or gender one may be. A lot of these collections also made it a point to not limit yourself and be bold with what you wear.