11 Body-Positive Moments That Rocked the Fashion Industry in 2017
For far too long, fashion retailers have dismissed the well-documented fact that the average American woman is a size 16 by only carrying limited sizes, or, better yet, selling lackluster styles for their plus-size consumers. Thankfully, in recent years, the fashion industry has made some necessary changes in becoming more inclusive as a result of the tireless work by body positive figures in the plus-size community. In 2017 alone, popular companies like Forever 21 and Nike have expanded their offerings to include larger sizes, and numerous brands have created empowering ads like Missguided's winter campaign, #MakeYourMark, that's completely un-retouched with the models' stretch marks and cellulite on full display.
If that isn't exciting enough, more and more renowned designers have been using their platforms to create fashion-forward clothes for all people, not just those who fit a certain mold. There's also an increasing number of indie brands popping up left and right to serve the plus-size shopper who wants fun and playful sartorial options that aren't being offered elsewhere at an affordable price. While we're not completely there yet, we're finally getting closer to a world where all body types are seen as equal and treated as such.
JP Yim/Getty Images for Michael Kors1/11Ashley Graham Became the First Plus-Size Model to Walk the Michael Kors Show
Beloved body positive model and influencer Ashley Graham made history during the fall/winter 2017 season of NYFW as the first model beyond a size 12 to walk the Michael Kors runway. And she did it looking fierce as ever donning a luxe black bodycon dress and cropped gray coat.
Courtesy of Nike.2/11Nike Launched a Plus-Size Collection
Despite what the negative nancys might say about curvy women, they, too, appreciate fitness. Recognizing this, popular activewear brand Nike started their own plus-size range featuring everything from athleisure to high-impact sportswear. There’s even a variety of sports bra options for those with bigger bust sizes.
Courtesy of Swimsuits For All.3/11Swimsuits For All's Baywatch Campaign
Coinciding with the recent reboot of cult-classic movie Baywatch, swimwear retailer, Swimsuits For All, teamed up with singer and actress Teyana Taylor, plus-size model Ashley Graham, and Sports Illustrated alum Niki Taylor for a body-positive campaign with all of them wearing the iconic red one piece bathing suit from the franchise. The result? Breathtaking photos showcasing there are multiple ways to look and feel desirable.
Courtesy of Forever21.4/11Forever 21 Released Plus-Size Denim Line 12x12
Denim shopping is hard enough as it is, but it's infinitely harder when you can't find a pair in your size wherever you go. Luckily, Forever 21 created a long-awaited size-inclusive denim line this year, so you no longer have to struggle to get your jeans over your bum. Even more, the range goes all the way up to size 3x, and like everything else from the retailer, it’s incredibly affordable.
Courtesy of Premme.5/11The Successful Launch of Premme
Launched this year by popular fashion bloggers, Nicolette Mason and Gabi Gregg, indie fashion brand Premme has some of the most playful size-inclusive clothes in the plus-size space today. The brand releases new merchandise every month, and all of the items are affordable and of amazing quality — but act quick since they are known to sell out quickly.
Courtesy of Project Runway6/11Project Runway Now Features Models Up to Size 22
Popular television series Project Runway made headlines this year with its announcement that the competing designers will now be using models of all sizes. A step in the right direction, this decision will serve as a great example that it is indeed possible to design for a variety of body shapes — and consumers should expect nothing less.
Courtesy of 11 Honoré.7/11New Luxury Site 11 Honoré Was Created For Sizes 10-20
When it comes to luxury fashion, there are unfortunately a very small amount of designers who currently cater to a plus-size clientele, making the search for investment pieces a bit difficult for women of curvier body shapes. In an effort to remedy this issue, new high-end ecommerce site 11 Honoré curates items from designers like Prabal Gurung, Zac Posen and Michael Kors for shoppers between sizes 10 and 20.
Getty Images8/11Spring/Summer 2018 Season of NYFW
The recent season of NYFW was the most diverse one yet (including body diversity) with a host of plus models gracing the runway of shows like Christian Siriano and Eckhaus Latta to positive fanfare. One notable moment in particular had to be when Glamour’s fashion features editor Lauren Chan walked Chromat’s show wearing a fierce geometrical red and white bodysuit and matching wrap with luxurious, flowy beachy waves.
Courtesy of Playful Promises.9/11Gabifresh x Playful Promises Lingerie Collection
It’s safe to say Gabi Gregg of the famed blog Gabifresh has had one busy year. In addition to launching Premme with business partner, Nicolette Mason, the style maven designed a lust-worthy lingerie line with UK Brand Playful Promises, which is also available at Forever 21. The campaign images for the collection are tasteful and incredibly stunning, serving as a positive visual reminder that curvy women look beautiful in lingerie despite societal messaging that says otherwise.
Courtesy of Missguided.10/11Missguided's 2017 Diverse Winter Campaign
Although a campaign with un-retouched photos isn’t exactly a new concept, it isn’t as widespread as it should be, which is why Missguided’s new winter ads are incredibly heartwarming. Featuring an array of influencers from different backgrounds with their stretch marks and cellulite in frame, it’s a breath of fresh air in fashion advertising.
Courtesy of Getty.11/11Model Tabria Majors Posed as a Victoria's Secret Angel, Calling Out the Brand's Lack of Size Diversity
There may have not been a plus-size model on the runway at this year’s Victoria’s Secret fashion show, but 27-year-old Tabria Majors proved curvy women would look just as amazing in the brand’s playful lingerie in an Instagram photos of her posing like famous Victoria’s Secret angels. The pictures and overarching message were so popular in fact that the post garnered over 39,000 likes and won her a spot as a finalist in Sports Illustrated’s competitive “Swim Search.”
