Tabria Majors is making a statement about accessibility in fashion after designers present limited size inclusivity on New York Fashion Week runways.
The plus-size model and designer took to her Instagram on Wednesday to share a video that she created in response to a lack of representation seen throughout brands showcased in New York City. In it, she acknowledged that “we don’t see only one type of body represented on the runway anymore” and that the “fashion industry has made strides when it comes to inclusivity” over the six years that she’s worked within it. However, she said, “It isn’t enough,” as the clothing offered to plus consumers continues to be restrictive in style and inaccessible in stores.
Majors appeared on camera at first in her underwear while sharing her thoughts about the progress — or lack thereof — in the fashion industry. As the video went on, looks appeared over the top of her body, as if being worn, through graphic effects.
“I’m a size 16 and I would never be able to find something like this off the rack,” Majors said, as a tweed suit covered her figure. “The average size woman in the U.S. is between a 16 and 18. However, her shopping experience is vastly different from someone at, say, a size 4. Plus size people are often an afterthought when it comes to fashion and it’s so unfortunate that we don’t have access to beautiful pieces like this. I often wonder why larger bodies have limited access to high quality fashion.”
It’s an argument that has been made countless times before, as body inclusivity advocates have highlighted the limited options that plus-size customers are given in the midst of conversations praising the industry’s evolution. Even the latest trends, like the micro mini skirt, are “created with this very thin body in mind,” according to The Power of Plus author Gianluca Russo.
In the video, Majors pointed out that finding basic clothing necessities “like good denim, a nice coat or a well made suit is always frustrating.” She added: “Even getting custom-made pieces is challenging because finding a designer who can and is willing to create for the plus size form is often unfeasible. If we do find something comparable it’s usually an ill-fitting knockoff. At the end of the day, we just want the same luxury as everyone else. Whether someone is a size 16 or 26, they should be able to wear whatever they want and have access to it.”
To prove her point, Majors looked to NYFW and said that she’s been counting the pieces presented to see just how many were shown on bigger bodies. “I’ve accounted for at least 75% so far, and the results are: over 3,000 pieces have been presented. Less than 100 of those were worn by curve/plus models,” she wrote in her post’s caption. “I was very generous in what I considered to be curve/plus so the number is really less than that.”
She went on, “Brands are constantly trying to hop on the inclusivity train, but body inclusivity seems to be left out of the conversation, even though that’s what started this whole movement of inclusivity. I can only hope that brands listen to us for once.”
Majors’s comment section has been flooded with support from fans, followers and fellow models.
“Couldn’t be more on point!!!” curve model Chloe Marshall commented.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Yumi Nu wrote, “Always speaking facts.”
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