As I stepped out of Grand Central and onto 42nd Street, my body was engulfed in the chilled air and chaotic mood of New York City. I rushed to the subway station across the street, dashing by taxis in a frenzy, in order to make it to my next location: New York Fashion Week.
As a freshman in college, attending NYFW seemed like the ultimate; yet unreachable dream. So when I was accepted to seven shows my first week of college, I was in shock for 24 hours. I didn’t think it was possible, but my mindset has changed since then.
So when I sent out my press inquiries this fashion week season, I expected a lot more, and in return received more than I could’ve ever expected. Fifteen invites flooded my inbox. I held a dance party for one in my room to celebrate and I may have sipped on a shirley temple.
This NYFW season was beyond anything I’ve experienced in my life. Body positivity – a topic that makes my heart jump for joy over – became the theme for many shows all over Manhattan. Chromat, Christian Siriano, and more used plus sized, disabled, and racially diverse models. Diversity wasn’t just the runways hottest trend, though. It was a celebration of everyone coming together to support people of all shapes, sizes, and abilities.
This week in fashion wasn’t just a fad. This was a whole step forward in a direction of inclusion in the fashion industry. For so long, multiple platforms have been excluded from this seemingly exclusive world. These designers showed everyone that the fashion world is accepting everyone. To say it was a breath of fresh air would be an understatement.
As I watched the Chromat models – decked out in sexy and chic colorful attire – jiggle, strut, and eat Cheetos on the runway, my heart leapt out of my chest. Screams of admiration flew from the mouths of everyone in the crowd. I beamed as I watched a woman with a prosthetic leg smirk as she went down the runway in stilettos. She didn’t stumble. Not once. Becca McCharen brought a cast of beautifully diverse women to the runway, and I couldn’t be happier that she did.
Christian Siriano went all out as well for his 10th Anniversary show. Ashley Graham, undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous plus sized models, opened his show in a full length crimson faux fur jacket that covered her with elegance. Actress from Orange is the New Black, Danielle Brooks, also killed it on the runway in a teal gown. The runway featured body inclusively in such an incredibly elegant way.
With the world moving towards a more body positive perspective, it made my eyes water to see that the fashion world took a leap in that direction as well. I’m ecstatic to see what happens in the next fashion weeks to come up soon. I’ll be on the lookout for more inclusive perspectives, and I’ll also be cheering them on while on the sidelines.