Why fashion designers shouldn’t be pressured to add plus-sized models

Credit: José Goulão

Forcing designers to add plus-sized models to their catwalks and campaigns can be a bad move, and I’ll explain why

Should the fashion industry represent all body sizes? Yes. Should we pressure designers to do so? No.

It’s rare for someone to be pleased when views are forced upon them, whether right or wrong. Not only can this result in action being put in place for the wrong reasons, but it can be short-lived.

When it comes to designers, they may change how they want to showcase their fashion from pressure, instead of what they believe in, and it’s likely the change won’t last forever. As soon as the spotlight is off them, they can go back to only having size 4 or 6 models.

No one wants to be forced into doing things. A vegetarian wouldn’t want to be forced into eating meat. And it’s the same the other way around, someone who does eat meat is not going to want to be forced not to.

People only change their minds when they like what they see, and that’s what we should be working on: convincing.

Instead of making protests why bigger models should be on the runway, show them instead. Show how beautiful it can be and what an impact it can make to the art of fashion. Change designers’ minds the right way by making them want to do the same with their fashion.

The TommyXZendaya collection is already doing this, featuring beautiful models of all sizes such as Olivia Golden, Leyna Bloom and Grace Jones.

So, let’s make 2019 the year where more catwalks feature women of all sizes by showing the world how it’s done. Let the designers see what they're missing out on.