Versace makes strides toward size inclusivity on the runway during Milan Fashion Week

Posted By: Staff
September 30, 2020 @ 6:52 am
ABC Business

Massimo Merlini/iStock

Massimo Merlini/iStockBy JACQUELINE LAUREAN YATES, ABC News

(NEW YORK) — The lack of size inclusivity on Fashion Week runways is slowly changing for the better.

Italian designer Versace, for example, has been making strides to diversify its lineup of models.

For the brand’s Spring/Summer 2021 presentation, onlookers were excited to see models Precious Lee, Jill Kortleve and Alva Claire star in the show.

Lee posted a video from the show, her first for Milan Fashion Week. This is also the first time Versace has cast full figured women.

“I will never forget this moment and how I felt before walking out,” Lee said in a statement. “The power and beauty of this brand has ALWAYS inspired me & now to be the first… wow.”

Donatella Versace, whose brother founded the company, further praised Lee on Instagram by welcoming her to the Versace family.

“You killed it on the runway!!!” Donatella said.

Claire showed gratitude for her Versace moment, writing, “I’m so emotional writing this, to walk for the iconic Versace has always been a huge dream of mine!”

She continued, “I am so proud of @preciousleexoxo @jilla.tequila and myself we made history with this and I will never forget how I feel right now! This moment is for all of us!!! I’m full of love!! Thank you so much.”

Versace has described the Spring/Summer 2021 collection as a “fantasy underwater dreamspace.”

Familiar faces such as Joan Smalls and Irina Shayk were also spotted at Versace’s show wearing bright pops of pinks and orange.

While mostly celebrated, Versace’s Spring/Summer 2021 show was met with some mixed opinions.

“To see plus size girls walk for Versace is so empowering,” wrote Twitter user @AngelCindyS in a post. “Despite the collection, let’s give it up for these beauties.”

Others said these changes shouldn’t have taken this long.

“I celebrate designers who are open, creative and celebrate the human form in all its sizes and shapes, not designers who take half a century or more to realise what they are missing out on. I would have been impressed if they led the way, not celebrate them following others,” tweeted one user.

Fashion houses such as Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty, Chromat and Christian Siriano have continued to be at the forefront of casting size-inclusive models.