A big step for style

A midst the usual designers and lean models that participate in the New York Fashion Week, one designer stood out, for being the first to showcase plus-size fashion on such a large platform.

On day two of the ongoing style week, designer Eden Miller showcased designs from her line Cabiria which caters exclusively to women (US) sized 12 to 24. The show featured voluptuous models sporting bold colours and large prints. The designer said, “I hope that I did well enough to open the doors for other people.

I wanted to show beautiful, sexy women who own their bodies. I am not apologetic in any way.” Though a baby step, could this mean that more fashion weeks would be open to including designs for ‘real-sized’ women and will other designers follow her lead?

NEED TO PROMOTE THIS TREND
Designer Pria Kataaria Puri feels it’s great that the plus-size market is being taken seriously as it’s a profitable market with a huge vacuum. “The average woman world over is a large size and her average height is 5-2; it’s high time we market and promote fashion for real women.

Personally, I always incorporate style silhouettes for plus-size women in my shows. However, we do show them on small size models. Incorporating a few medium to large size models in shows can help to promote this trend.”

INDIAN FASHION NOT MATURE ENOUGH
We need to acknowledge and appreciate the presence of every form of body type, says designer Rajat Tangri. “However, the Indian fashion scene is not that mature to understand the importance of a plus-size runway presentation.

Any designer doing that would be thrashed by some fashion critics for being gimmicky. With platforms like NYFW supporting such initiatives, it will help bring plus-size fashion to the mainstream but it will take some time for Indian design weeks to acknowledge the same.

Seeing a plus-size model on the runway anytime soon looks difficult, but my fingers are crossed.”

A SENSE OF REALITY
Generally clothes are shown on almost size zero models even though the biggest clientele for designers is a size 10 plus, says Pradeep Hirani, buyer and fashion advisor. “I would completely support having a plus-size show at the Indian fashion weeks. It’s very practical and brings in a sense of reality. Designers should in fact be encouraged to do a whole spectrum of designs ranging from small to larger sizes.”