Plus-Size Models Rock New York Fashion Week: Bigger Is Better

As announced, the first ever plus-size fashion show, featuring only size 16+ models, took place during New York Fashion Week – and it truly showed the world that bigger can – and does – mean better and more fabulous.

Though not associated with any major designer house, the show was organized by OneStopPlus, a company that caters exclusively for plus-size women and marked a turning point for the fashion / modeling industry.

As we also noted on a previous occasions, while plus-size models have been included in catwalk shows before, this is officially the first time that an entire show is done with just plus-size models.

In other words, as the Daily Mail also points out, it was a show by and for all the curvy ladies out there. And it was completely fabulous to top, says the same publication.

“The audience, which included Gabourey Sidibe, the star of Precious, rose to its feet to applaud what was described as an inspirational development for women marginalized for years by the trend for extremely thin models,” the Mail writes.

As the models showed off the hottest spring designs, ranging from chic little dresses to high-wasted, ‘80s-inspired trousers, the purpose of the show became clear: to put on the catwalk something that regular women can also wear, even if they’re not stick-thin.

“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!’” Nancy Le Winter, who organized the event, says for the Mail.

Plus-size model Whitney Thompson, who won America’s Next Top Model, said the show was not so much about ending marginalization as it was about proving what they’d been saying all along, that fashion should not be exclusive to thin women.

“There is no reason a size 16 model should not hold their head up high like everyone else,” Thompson is quoted as saying.

After this show, the model is not the only one to say that: critics are already warming up to the idea of having more plus-size fashion, while the media is positively ecstatic about finally seeing “real women” in a “real fashion show.”