'People are people': Christian Siriano's NYFW show was a body-positive triumph
Another New York Fashion Week, another celebration of diversity, body positivity and political unity from Christian Siriano.
Unlike many top designers, who ignore the fact that 67% of American women are plus-size, Siriano is known for his inclusive runways and custom designs for Hollywood actresses who aren't sample-sized.
From the trans personalities in the front row to the fashion world's soon-to-be favorite political t-shirt, here's what we saw at Siriano's Fall/Winter 2017 show.
The diverse models
Pantsuits, jumpsuits, party dresses, sexy gowns — Siriano's plus-size designs were just as enviable as anything else on the runway. At least eight models broke the standard sample size mold, typically between size 0 - 2. And several models were women of color. But the designer isn't focused on those statistics.
"I just book girls that are fabulous," he says.
The front row
The show's most valuable row of seats was a who's who of diversity and gender identity. Janet Mock sat alongside trans model/actress Gigi Gorgeous, model Coco Rocha, Siriano's music producer husband Brad Walsh, Alicia Silverstone, Alexa Chung, Juliette Lewis, Morena Baccarin and Orange is the New Black stars Danielle Brooks and Samira Wiley.
Several members of the front row celebrated the show on social media.
"People are People"
Siriano kept his show free of Trump talk, instead opting for a message of unity. While the rest of the models sported glittering eveningwear and on-trend separates, one walked down the runway in a "People are People" t-shirt, Siriano's own version of Dior's celebrity-adored "We Should All Be Feminists" top.
"People are people" was the unofficial theme of the show, with the Depeche Mode song of the same name soundtracking the models' final walk.
It's easy to see why Siriano was attracted to the song's lyrics: "People are people so why should it be / You and I should get along so awfully / So we're different colors and we're different creeds / And different people have different needs."
