12 Places We Saw and Appreciated Diversity at Fashion Week

When it comes to the fashion world, we won't sit here and pretend that you can sense diversity all around you. That's simply not the case. It's true that with each season, a small handful of designers aim to cast a show with models from different backgrounds. But that is not enough, because we can still count on only two hands the runways that show extended sizing, and even then some fashion houses select only one or two women with curves.

But if we don't celebrate the cases of diversity that we do find, how can we inspire the rest of the industry to take a hint? In fact, in New York City alone, almost half the models cast in shows were women of color, and there were 15 models over age 50, which is more than ever before.

That's why we're here to round up the instances we found that prove that fashion does not just apply to a select few. Clothes (yes, runway clothes!) are for all ages, all genders, all body types, and any damn ethnicity in the world. Take it or leave it.

01
11 Honoré
Getty

11 Honoré

Laverne Cox debuted this gorgeous tulle Zac Posen gown on the runway for the 11 Honoré finale, which was actually inspired by a design Miley Cyrus wore to the 2018 Grammy Awards. 11 Honoré focuses on bringing couture pieces to women in an extended size range, and Fall 2019 marked its first fashion show. The lineup of models was diverse, and Laverne did this particular design justice as she twirled, completely allowing the dress to flatter her curves.

11
Chromat
Getty

Chromat

Over the years, Chromat has become famous for sending bright, popping swimsuits down the runway on models of all sizes and from all backgrounds. This season was no different, and women like Diandra Forrest, a model with albinism, Mama Cax, a model with a prosthetic leg, Eddie Jarel Jonesx, a non-binary model, and Maya Monés, a transgender model, all took the catwalk in celebration, rather than a serious strut.

19
Christian Siriano
Getty

Christian Siriano

Christian Siriano decorated curve model Ashley Graham in crystals, selecting a formfitting look that brought cheers from the front row. The designer considers casting a highly important part of his runway show, aiming to make the event feel inclusive, diverse, and colorful in every sense of the word. His excited guests and the line of fans that swarmed the lobby at 30 Rock confirmed that Christian has become famous for his drive to be different.

26
Prabal Gurung
Getty

Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung has always aimed for diversity on his runway by studying his models' various backgrounds as part of the casting process. "What I'm living is the American dream. From the collection that we do, to the casting that we do, we talk about the heritage of the models. I'm interested in and intrigued by their background, by their ethnicity, their experience," he told the New York Times. This season, he was inspired by heritages from around the world, crafting strong, colorful looks that come from his "globetrotting suitcase." There will never be just one single type of model on Prabal's runway.

35
Cushnie
Getty

Cushnie

Carly Cushnie tapped stylist Kate Young to help her arrange her Fall 2019 looks, and Noah Shelley helped out with casting. Cushnie is perhaps most known for its sexy silhouettes, and they were draped beautifully over women of many shapes and sizes this season. Carly invited famous faces like Candice Huffine, Daphne Groeneveld, and Marquita Pring to walk in her show.

41
Veronica Beard
Getty

Veronica Beard

We were thrilled to see a more diverse cast at Veronica Beard's Fall 2019 presentation, all of whom wore luxurious dresses and velvet pieces for an "Into the Woods" themed show. Models like Katie Sturino of The 12ish Style showed up to show how the runway looks flatter curves.

47
Tadashi Shoji
Getty

Tadashi Shoji

For the first time ever, Tadashi Shoji showed a wide range of body types on his runway. He created an inclusive atmosphere by showing us thigh-high slits and off-the-shoulder silhouettes on ladies with curves, and he paid attention to ethnicity, too, as he cast his show.

53
Versace
Getty | Estrop

Versace

While Donatella Versace has invited famous 1990s supermodels back to the runway before, for Fall 2019, she asked 50-year-old Stephanie Seymour to model this glittering floor-length dress. This marked the first time Seymour hit the runway in 10 years, which made for a pretty powerful moment at Milan Fashion Week.

56
Marc Jacobs
Getty | J. Lee

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs's meticulously crafted, extraordinarily well-thought-out Fall 2019 show culminated with an old friend, Christy Turlington, taking the runway at 50. "I turned 50 this year and have arrived at a place where 'Why the F not' is the answer that comes up when I ask myself questions," Christy wrote on Instagram, explaining how grateful she was to meet Marc's young cast of models who she hopes her daughter aspires to be like. Marc's idea to have Christy wear one of the most glamorous looks in his lineup proves that fashion has no age limit — and it should always be so.

58
Michael Kors Collection
Getty | JP Yim

Michael Kors Collection

Model Patti Hansen, 62 years old, took the runway for Michael Kors, modeling a bronze suit and gold platforms. "I love [Michael Kors] and his collection so much. What a joyous experience to be a part of. Thanks to all that made it happen!" Patti captioned a photo of herself on Instagram. The whole show gave off a retro feel, with Barry Manilow stepping out for a celebratory performance for the finale. If there's one thing we know for sure, it's that Michael Kors orchestrates an environment where fashion feels like it applies to happy people in general, instead of a select group.

61
Elie Tahari
Getty | Dia Dipasupil

Elie Tahari

Both Sailor Brinkley Cook and her mom, 65-year-old Christie Brinkley, strutted their stuff on the Elie Tahari runway, proving that the same line and the same clothes can be fitting for a wide age group. "Sailor and me on the same runway ! We're on a HIGH...Five✋🏼🖐🏼Thank you @elietahari for the honor of walking in your 45th anniversary show! But there was NO WAY I could keep my game face on ...when I saw my daughter strutting the runway I could not do anything but Smile! Thank you Eli for this," Christie wrote underneath a video on Instagram, proving that there's an emotional tie-in to a strong collection that binds women together.

64

On the Streets

Influencer Kellie Brown started the #FatAtFashionWeek hashtag, and fellow bloggers in the industry, such as Nicolette Mason and Tess Holliday, joined in, reminding everyone at the shows what it means to be inclusive. The hashtag stemmed from Kellie's frustration that "the size of your body doesn't disable your understanding of color, proportions, and taste, but the industry doesn't make us a priority." She worked with Teen Vogue to promote her vision and spread the word this season.

65

66

67
Getty | Nicholas Hunt

"I'm so behind posting my #nyfw photos, but here is my look for @tadashishoji who is a size inclusive designer, and had plus size models on the runway for the first time ever!! @kellyaugustineb, @itsmekellieb & @littlelimedress & I all said after the show 'finally!' It's amazing seeing designers you love, step up for your community!
I'm of course wearing @tadashishoji styled by @littlelimedress 👌🏻💕
#effyourbeautystandards #fatatfashionweek," Tess Holliday posted, backing Kellie's vision.