MILAN (AP) 鈥� More curvy models than ever showed up on Milan runways this season, due mostly to a single show by Brazilian designer Karoline Vitto, while designers of color showcased their work at collateral events meant to promote their visibility 鈥� along with diversity 鈥� in the backrooms of Italian fashion.
Wherever diversity and inclusion were being celebrated during , which ended Sunday, there was one underlying refrain: Make more space.
CURVY MODELS GET OUTING AT KAROLINE VITTO
鈥淲e made history! It was incredible,鈥欌�� world-renown curvy model Ashley Graham gushed as she embraced London-based Vitto after Sunday鈥檚 show. Graham is often the only curvy model on major fashion runways, but for this show she led a cast of models ranging in size from UK 10 to UK 24 (US 6 to US 20).
By comparison, some Milan brands typically size up to 48 Italian (US size 12), while some, notably Dolce & Gabbana which sponsored Vitto, has extended some looks up to an Italian size 52 (US 16).
Graham wore an edgy black ripped corset and long sheer skirt, while other models wore form-hugging jersey dresses fitted with S-shaped metallic fixtures that sculpted their curves. She used the same technique for bathing suits.
鈥淚t feels normal,鈥欌�� Graham said, calling on more designers to get more curves on the runway. 鈥淚f I feel normal on the runway with this many girls, that means that there is something that doesn鈥檛 feel normal when I am on the runway with everybody else.鈥�
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DIVERSIFYING SMALL BRAND PROFILES
After working in fashion for decades, Deborah Latouche launched her own brand after converting to Islam and realizing how hard it was to find clothes that were 鈥渓uxury, high-end and modest.鈥�
Latouche brand, Sabirah, was highlighted along with US brand BruceGlen at the Milan Fashion Hub for new and emerging designers, sponsored by Blanc Magazine鈥檚 Teneshia Carr and the Italian National Fashion Chamber. The Hub offered space to meet buyers and other people interested in new brands.
鈥淪omething like this is really important because small brands such as myself can get really overlooked,鈥欌�� said Latouche, who has shown her brand in London, where she is based. 鈥淲e put a lot of work in but we don鈥檛 necessarily get a lot of recognition.
Being invited to Milan 鈥渋s an amazing platform that gives us the potential to elevate and that is really important,'' she said.
Twins Bruce and Glen Proctor have been working on their brand for 17 years, and relished the time in Milan showing their creations to a new audience while they also connect with their true creative intentions.
鈥淔or a longtime we did black and white, based on what we thought the industry wanted,鈥� Bruce Glen said. Now they are doing what comes naturally, 鈥淐olors, prints and fur.鈥欌��
Carr said presentations where people can touch the wares are a great way to connect people with a new product, without the huge expense of a runway show.
鈥淭he fashion system isn鈥檛 working for anyone but the 1 percent. I am all for trying to make new systems where everyone gets paid and people get clothes that make them feel better,鈥欌�� she said.
Colleen Barry, The Associated Press
