One Size Does Not Fit All
- Sabrina Martinez
- Oct 6, 2017
- 2 min read
Updated: May 2, 2019
“These girls have curves and hips and butts and all kinds of good stuff!”
So says Kenya Freeman, one of the designers for Project Runway’s iconic new season. What’s on trend for fashion this year? Inclusivity! The show’s 16th season highlights models of all sizes, ranging from size two to 22. It also features 16 designers of various backgrounds, cultures and styles.
Most fashion designers train and practice making clothes for one particular body type, so the range of sizes acts as an additional challenge for them during the competition. Every week, they are assigned a new model and tasked with creating an original piece based on a challenge theme.
“I have to tell you I’m very, very excited about this because the truth of fashion is that one size does not fit all,” says Heidi Klum, supermodel and host. “Very successful designers must be able to design for all sizes.”
This is about more than just challenging the designers. It’s about reassuring women they don’t have to be a specific size to be beautiful. It’s refreshing to see models of all shapes and sizes on the runway, promoting body positivity and inclusivity. Not every woman can be a size two. By having a range of body types on stage, there is a model everyone can identify with.
“Model one comes out, typical skinny, tall girl,” says Margarita Alvarez, 30, designer from San Juan, Puerto Rico. “And then model three comes out and she is a real woman with real curves, a real body!”
This Emmy Nominated show is also full of diverse designers from different cultures and backgrounds.
Take for example Anaya Ife, a 27-year-old from Salt Lake City and the very first Muslim modest fashion designer on the show. She wants to show women they can dress modestly without compromising sexiness and confidence.
“My outfits are gonna be really really nicely fitted, more of a sheath style. I am Muslim and I do cover,” Ife says. “I definitely want to represent and show that you can still have the modest aspect of things, but still be current and trendy and fashion foreward.”
Her modest fashion sense is inspiring women of all cultures to follow their true passion and incorporate their own style and culture into what they create. Ife is taking conservative, modest fashion and transforming it with high-trend, sexy looks. She is absolutely killing the game! #DesignerAyana
To see more of the fashion and designers on Project Runway click here.
This article was published for Burnt X on October 6, 2017.
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