Somerset House, London Fashion Week's headquarters, is buzzing with street photographers and bloggers. But across the river, an alternative fashion show is celebrating style for curvier women with plus-sized models, including David Hasselhoff’s daughter Hayley.
And it truly is a celebration of curves and diversity, with different designers presenting their collections for plus-size women. It features four catwalk showcases of bridal wear, swimsuits and lingerie over the weekend.
This is the second year the event has been running and it has grown, with models travelling from Europe and the States. According to the organizers, Remi Ray, designers should address plus-size women as well as their skinny contemporaries, and allow them to engage with what they see on the catwalks.
plus-size women as well as their skinny contemporaries, and
allow them to engage with what they see on the catwalks.
"We are always trying to educate a plus-size woman, it is not only about being skinny or being fat, it’s about just opening up mindsets and changing people’s visions that they currently have. We want to make sure that everybody is embraced, whether you’re small, whether you’re big, it doesn’t really matter. We’re here to celebrate curves and that’s all we’re trying to do," organizer Remi Ray said.
The showcase coincides with, but isn’t related to, London Fashion Week, but organizers hope larger models like Hasselhoff will eventually be included on mainstream runways.
"I think that in the US they have the New York Plus Size Fashion Week. And they also have Chicago, but I do believe that this event is probably one of the largest plus-size fashion events that there ever has been," said plus-size model Hayley Hasselhoff.
It’s still a small event, but Ray says it’s already a big step forward for fashion.