Designers on Project Runway are finally going to “make it work” for plus-size women’s bodies.
The fashion design competition show has always included unique and innovative design challenges, but the models have consistently been straight-sized. Not really representative of the fashion world, or society in general. But now, they are making a key change by finally including plus-size models.
Tim Gunn has even called out the fashion industry for turning its back on plus-size women, including Project Runway in that critique.
Back in 2016, Gunn said of this glaring industry error:
“This a design failure and not a customer issue. There is no reason larger women can’t look just as fabulous as all other women. The key is the harmonious balance of silhouette, proportion and fit, regardless of size or shape.”
The show is going into its 16th season, so it took them a little bit of time to come around to a more inclusive runway. But we are glad they are finally taking this critical step.
The show’s Twitter account tweeted out the official announcement.
Models of ALL sizes will be working the runway this season on #ProjectRunway!!! ?? pic.twitter.com/5V0ohAxlyO
— Project Runway (@ProjectRunway) August 17, 2017
Host and model Heidi Klum expressed her happiness with the decision. She said,
“I believe we should have done it already years and years and years ago. So I’m happy though that now this season, we’re starting.”
Agreed. She also added,
“This is the real world. Not everyone is, you know, runway figure or what the runway figure used to be. You have to dress real people, and real people come in different sizes: short, tall, more voluptuous, skinny. There is many of us, and so a real designer needs to know how to do that. So get with it.”
There is no one particular “runway figure”, so this is definitely a step in the right direction. Models ranging from size 2-22 will strut down the runway, Thursdays at 9 pm on Lifetime.
