As Heidi Klum always says, “in fashion, one day you’re in, and the next day you’re out.” But inclusivity in size and diversity is always in when it comes to the fashion industry.

This past season, Project Runway made the bold choice to include models that ranged in sizes 0 to 22, and varied the nationalities of the different models as well. In its release, Lifetime stated that these efforts were made in order to “break the conventional modeling mold and celebrate body diversity.” Another cool twist? The models rotate from designer to designer so each contestant gets the opportunity to design for different sizes, a current challenge in the world of fashion. Lifetime sees this strategy as an opportunity for the designers to grow and learn, gaining experience in creating looks that flatter different sizes of models. Besides, a new study reveals that the average American woman wears a size 16...and this is Season 16 of Project Runway...maybe it’s a sign!

The network’s decision is rumored to have been sparked from Ashley Nell Tipton’s New York Fashion Week show during Season 14 of Project Runway; she featured fashion for diverse sizes when showing her collection, a bold yet inspiring choice. Plus size fashion seems to be taking over the world; actress Melissa McCarthy was empowered to create her own plus size fashion line, “Seven7,” which is sold at Nordstrom. And we can’t forget about Ashley Graham, who absolutely rocks the covers of prominent magazines such as Glamour, Vogue, and Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue (the first ever plus size cover model for the publication).

Although the decision to incorporate plus sizes in the fashion industry has created much controversy, the fact that the majority of the winning looks from Season 16 of Project Runway were worn by plus size models serves as a wake up call: we won’t be saying auf wiedersehen to plus size fashion any time soon.

Shop My Blog: