I'm a curve model who participated in NYFW—exploring the current landscape of size diversity in fashion.

      Lauren Chan is an editor in residence at Who What Wear, a Canadian model, a former award-winning fashion editor at Glamour, and the founder of Henning, a luxury clothing brand for plus sizes. In the midst of New York Fashion Week, a celebrity stylist requested to borrow a selection of my personal clothing for a client who is likely a size 12, similar to me. This was not just for a front-row photograph; it was for the cover of a prominent magazine, to be photographed with her industry peers. Upon receiving their message, I—and I rarely use this expression—burst into laughter. They wanted me to lend out my mass-produced, un-dry-cleaned Ester Manas and Ottolinger while the other cover stars would be decked out in designers' exclusive, freshly made samples? I genuinely thought it was a joke.

      It's not the stylist who concerns me. (I assure you she is both inclusive and talented.) According to her, the issue lies with the public relations teams of brands that provide only sample sizes, specifically sizes 0–4. While I can empathize with her frustration during this fashion crisis, the PR representatives have a limited selection since only a few designers produce plus-size samples.

      That said, I’m not here to share celebrity fashion gossip; I'm here to highlight, amid the restrained representation of size during fashion month, why this matter should be important to you.

      Sample Sizes Impact Everyone

      Tory Burch S/S 26 (Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight) The situation is as follows: The clothes available for celebrities to wear are either custom-made or taken straight from designers' collections. Celebrities who distinguish themselves as fashion icons earn more opportunities in their careers and, if they are larger-bodied, can help destigmatize size through their representation. Their influence can affect public self-esteem and earning potential, which is significant considering that 67% of women in America are above size 14.

      The Impact of the Runway

      Wiederhoeft S/S 26 (Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight) I have been writing about size inclusion for a decade now, and while I can say that most industry insiders recognize the issue, there is no consensus on whom to blame for the lack of options above standard sizes. At one time, responsibility was thought to lie with the retailers, who were seen as the driving force behind this business. Designers claimed that because fashion is so influenced by department stores, which wouldn’t order sizes above 12, there was no financial incentive to expand sizing.

      However, in 2025, the fashion industry has moved beyond a retailer monopoly, with many retailers facing struggles or closing entirely. Sales are increasingly happening through preorder platforms, direct-to-consumer e-commerce, and drop-shipping via retailers. If I were to assign blame—and therefore, the capacity to create change—I would say it now falls on the designers.

      Designers Leading the Way

      Christian Cowan S/S 26 (Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)

      Kim Shui S/S 26 (Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)

      Christian Siriano S/S 26 (Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight) During the spring/summer 2026 season, designers who offered mid- and plus-size looks include Bach Mai, Christian Cowan, Christian Siriano, Coach, Collina Strada, Dauphinette, Grace Ling, Jane Wade, Kim Shui, Off-White, PatBo, Theophilio, Tory Burch, Tyler McGillivary, Vettese, and Wiederhoeft. Among these designers, McGillivary stood out with the most mid- and plus-size looks, totaling 11; followed by Siriano with eight, Cowan with five, Vettese with three, and Burch, Dauphinette, Ling, and Strada each presenting two. The remaining designers offered one look.

      While this is a respectable list, inclusion this season appears to have remained on par with the previous years. According to Vogue Business, mid- and plus-size representation at NYFW decreased from 6% for spring/summer 2025 to 4% for fall/winter 2025. (London Fashion Week mirrors New York, while Milan and Paris tend to range from 0.1% to 1% each season.)

      The Way Forward

      Off-White S/S 26 (Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight) Now is the time for designers to act! Let's revive the size-diverse movement of the late 2010s and take the lead. You all know that patriarchal standards of size are prevalent. After all, since we’re discussing fashion week, it’s all quite performative anyway. More on ensuring plus-size individuals have access to properly fitting clothing later... Wink.