As Precious Lee stepped out onto the runway to open Christian Siriano‘s fashion show, she became a symbol of something he’s long championed: inclusivity.
“I want people to see that curves and body are celebrated and beautiful,” he exclusively told E!’s Zanna Roberts Rassi of the decision to have the supermodel kick off and close his Sept. 7 show. “That was very important.”
Since 2016, the designer—who rose to fame as a Project Runway winner more than a decade ago—has not only included plus-size models in his shows, but has been one of the very few to genuinely highlight and cater to fuller figures in the industry and beyond. As his 40th collection unfolded on the runway during New York Fashion Week, it was clear he remained true to his brand ethos once again, sending models of different sizes, races and ethnicities strutting in his clothes.
Though many designers continue to exclude models outside the industry’s long-held narrow measurements, it seems the tide is beginning to turn as some are finally coming around to the idea of expanding their range.