E-tailer OneStopPlus.com will host Fashion Week's first plus-size-specific fashion show at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall on September 15. Plus-sized supermodel Emme—and the company's brand ambassador—will host the event's red-carpet entrance, alongside other well-known plus-size models including Tocarra Jones (of America's Next Top Model fame) and Lizzie Miller.
The dedicated event is a significant one for several reasons. OneStopPlus aims to bring as many clothing options as possible to larger women, but it's the seller's presence during Fashion Week festivities that will hopefully compel the high-fashion industry to recognize the number of women who fall into the plus-size category. Progress is already well underway at luxury department stores like Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, and Neiman Marcus, which are offering high-end designer labels in larger sizes.
The show is also occurring just as as the move towards hiring curvier models and spokespersons for is gaining traction across several designer campaigns—not just plus-sized ones—and not, of course, without its share of controversy. Supermodel Crystal Renn, who most recently appears in Chanel's ad campaign, has been been both applauded for celebrating her curves, and at the same time criticized by others for supposedly shedding weight.
To what extent plus-sized fashion and high-fashion will continue to meet is questionable. Folks are already pondering the reaction to the OneStopPlus show, as are we. It's impressive to see a step in this direction, though we wonder just how many waves it will make across the industry.
