Gabourey Sidibe and Nikki Blonsky are front row for New York's first ever plus-size fashion show

Actresses Gabourey Sidibe and Nikki Blonsky at One Stop Plus fashion show

Sweet 16 took on a whole new meaning in New York last night. In cargo shorts, cropped trousers and flowing dresses, a parade of glamorous plus-size models showed just how beautiful big can be. They have been waiting a long time for the chance to prove their point. In 46 years of New York Fashion Week, this was the first show ever to feature only larger-size models. The audience, which included Hairspray star Nikki Blonsky and Precious actress Gabourey Sidibe, rose to its feet to applaud what was described as an inspirational development for women marginalised for years by the trend for extremely thin models.

Models Lizzie Miller and Toccara Jones

Prominent plus-size models, including Toccara Jones and Lizzie Miller, paraded clothes from American fashion label OneStopPlus.com, which caters for women a UK size 16 and up, to prove ‘curvy women are equally as beautiful and as fashionable’. The event was hosted by the model Emme, who has become an icon to women with a fuller figure.

Organiser Nancy Le Winter said: ‘It’s simply about time that fashion speaks to all women. It is the first time that women can look around and say “I can wear that!”‘ Zahir Babvani, the brand’s vice president of design, explained: ‘This show is a collaborative effort to provide the extraordinary community of plus-size women with the uncompromising style that they have always deserved but never received.

‘It’s about inclusion and fashion democracy: fashion risk-taking and empowerment. No more seeing what you can’t have; this is a fashion party that invites and inspires everyone.’

Galina Monaco, a designer with the company, added that we are currently living through a ‘new golden age’ of plus-size fashion. ‘Befitting our collection, elements of Belle Epoque are present with touches of feminine lace, rich drapery, decorative florals and, of course, the gilded shine of slight sequin embellishment,’ she said. Although the show was not linked to any of the major fashion houses, it is indicative of the growing prominence of plus-size models.

Standing ovation: Lizzie Miller leads the models down the catwalk to applause from a star-studded crowd

Miss Miller was recently pictured in Glamour magazine with her belly hanging out and Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks has emerged as the most celebrated example of a woman who can look sexy and curvy at the same time. Several top designers, including Marc Jacobs and Prada, included fuller-figured women in their shows for autumn this year and Mark Fast used size 12 and 14 models.

The mood in New York marks a significant change from London Fashion Week, which was dominated by the debate about ‘size-zero’ models when the organisers refused to ban stick-thin despite huge public outcry. Nutritionists and psychologists have repeatedly complained of the poor example such models set to young women and the damaging effect it can have on their self-esteem. As Whitney Thompson, winner of America’s Next Top Model, declared: ‘There is no reason a size 16 model should not hold their head up high like everyone else.’

Article by Daily Mail To read more about the One Stop Plus show, click here.

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Lauren (who has been ON TOP of Fashion Week for me!) sent me this article to me and I (lamely) almost shed tears from being happy! When I look at the pictures and think of what an impact this has, it’s so moving and inspiring.

The models (and the clothes, of course) look so radiant! I’m SO excited to see what happens next year – I think we can expect much more of this!

About The Author

Patricia Colli, Editor of Beutiful Magazine, is a human rights activist, equality advocate, and promoter of health, acceptance and wellbeing. Having experienced disordered eating, unhealthy exercise patterns and poor body image, she is especially passionate about shedding light on eating disorders and the power of body acceptance.