Fashion

Curvy models set to walk catwalks in New York

New York Fashion Week typically excludes women larger than a size six but this year curvier models are set to take the catwalk.
Mark Fast

Though it’s the most coveted fashion event on the planet New York Fashion Week typically excludes women larger than a size six but this year curvier models are set to take the catwalk.

As an off-shoot of the main event Uptown Fashion Week is set to coincide with the flurry NYFW proceedings but simultaneously set itself apart by casting non-sample size models who tend to get over looked.

“Fashion should be accessible for everybody no matter what size they are,” Uptown Fashion Week event founder, Albania Rosario, told New York Daily News.

“There is an ample market in the plus-size industry,” she added. “I don’t want to limit it to tall, skinny models.”

The show’s organisers put out a call for buxom beauties to strut their stuff on the catwalk in haute couture, avant-garde and up-to-the-minute fashions by more than a dozen designers from New York City, Peru, Columbia and Venezuela.

While diversity in the fashion industry is somewhat of an uphill battle there have been a few designers who have created headlines by embracing size diversity and curvy models who have broken boundaries.

Curvy models on the catwalk aren’t all that rare. Canadian designer Mark Fast featured curvy beauties in his F/W 2011/2012 fashion show at London Fashion Week.

Crystal Renn walking in the Spring 2005 Jean Paul Gaultier show in Paris.

Crystal Renn in French Vogue in 2010 shot by Terry Richardson.

Crystal Renn in French Vogue in 2010 shot by Terry Richardson.

American beauty Tara Lynn scores the cover of French Elle.

Tara Lynn graces Elle France again this year for the magazine’s August issue and was snapped by Matt Jones.

Robyn Lawley landed her first Aussie cover for Cosmopolitan earlier this year.

Robyn Lawley was the first inbetweenie model in a Ralph Lauren campaign.

Vogue Italia’s June 2010 issue celebrated curvy models with Tara Lynn, Candice Huffine and Robyn Lawley leaning over plates of spaghetti in their lingerie.

Tara Lynn was snapped by legendary photographer Steven Meisel for the amazing shoot.

Australian model Penelope Benson scored a major beauty campaign for Covergirl due out later this year.

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