In what’s been described as “the most diverse runway of the season”, Siriano’s show featured five plus-size models and women of different races and ethnicities, in the most wonderfully casual, no big deal way possible.
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The designer is known for championing diversity within an industry that is notoriously narrow-minded when it comes to its representation of women. Creating Leslie Jones’ Ghostbusters premiere dress, after she revealed no designer would help her, was icing on the inclusive, body-positive cake that has been the trajectory of Siriano’s career thus far. The Christian Siriano for Lane Bryant fall collection, designed exclusively for the Lane Bryant client, is available for purchase in store and on the brand’s website today.
“I love that we dress so many different types of women”, he said. It’s been a big year in other ways for Siriano, who got hitched to longtime boyfriend Brad Walsh at their country home outside New York City over the summer.
Siriano, who unlike most designers, says he wants to create attractive clothes for women for all sizes, seems intent on practicing what he preaches.
“It was an fantastic, unbelievable moment”, Siriano said backstage before his show of ladylike, Capri-inspired looks. “I just think it’s a lot of time and a lot of work”, Siriano told Elle at the event. I also grew up with a mom who was a size 16, 18, so it wasn’t new to me to have a voluptuous woman in my life.
“I think I went for one fitting, and he had already made the dress, there was minimal stuff he had to do it it”, says model Georgia Pratt, one of the women to walk in the show who is outside the typical sample size of 0 or 2. I had the two total extremes, and now I see that everywhere.
Wang also showed his own label’s spring collection on Saturday night, and it was a marked contrast to the all-black Adidas garb: Colorful, whimsical warm-weather clothes that would have been just right for the beach.
Among those applauding the models of size was Ashley Graham, who sat front row and made history as the first plus-size model to hit the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue this year.
But, Siriano doesn’t want your congratulations, he wants your support.
“I know that these girls look great in these dresses, and I know they feel good”, Siriano said to Glamour.
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And maybe, one day, it won’t even be headline news.
