William Shakespeare got it wrong when he said that “all the world’s a stage,” because those in the fashion world will tell you that all the world is a runway. Yes, every time you step out of the house, you make a statement with your style choices, and designers are lucky enough to take their first steps during some of the biggest events in fashion history. Each year, major cities around the world put on a “Fashion Week” that showcases iconic and up-and-coming designers, and New York City offers one of the best in the business. Amazingly, this year saw a shakeup in terms of diversity.
Unrealistic Beauty Standards
In the past, the modeling world has been called out for its lack of diversity. Thanks to the likes of Twiggy, Gigi Hadid, Kate Moss, Kendall Jenner, and Tyra Banks, models have always been regarded as tall, thin, and naturally beautiful women who have flawless skin and perfect attributes. This has led to many people calling out the fashion world for creating unrealistic beauty standards. However, changes have been made over the past few years. Just a few weeks before the New York Fashion Week was due to begin, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) actually penned an open letter to those designers that would be showing their clothes…
All About Diversity
In this letter, the CFDA reminded designers to think about their models as they cast them for their shows. They wanted the designers to “promote diversity and inclusion” as “American fashion can lead the path.” By inclusion, the CFDA is talking about women from all ethnic backgrounds, and women of all shapes and sizes. They didn’t want to see the same thin models they saw every year on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. They wanted the New York Fashion Week to be all about diversity and real women. Thankfully, their pleas were met.
Ready For The Curve
February’s New York Fashion Week was all about Fall 2019, and they certainly broke some records. This fall show featured a whopping 94 curve and non-sample models, which is the biggest number to date. Designers such as Christian Siriano, Chromat, and Prabal Gurung have not only designed clothing for women of all shapes and sizes but also allowed these women to walk the catwalk.
With inclusivity and diversity on the up, we can only see it getting better from here.