The Christian Siriano show will forever be an unforgettable Fashion Week show for me. As I arrived at the secret location for the show, the line was full of colourful fashion week ensembles, fashion editors, bloggers, TV cameras all waiting in anticipation for the doors to open to the venue. Siriano is known for dressing Hollywood stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Taylor Swift, Rosario Dawson and has his dresses featured at almost every red carpet event you could think of and even designed plus size fashion blogger Nicolette Mason’s wedding dress. Siriano’s designs are the Style Me Curvy dream with so much attention to women’s shapes and various frames. He’s known for his work in diversity, from gay rights to actively working with brands such Lane Bryant for his size 14 plus collections and ensuring women of all sizes look flawless in his pieces. As the doors opened we were greeted by Italian inspired beach umbrellas which hung from the ceiling, a huge colourful flooring in 1960’s and 70’s style which set the tone for his Spring 2017 inspiration – “a getaway on the Isle Of Capri” inspired by Jackie O’s holidays there. His theme – “a cool, modern seaside collection fit for a world-traveled woman“. The room was flooded with Hollywood fashionistas, Kelly Osbourne accompanied by her pomeranian dog Polly, Mad Men star Christina Hendricks, model Coco Rocha and many more, all super fans of this designers work.
Myself photographed above trying to look calm!!
The first number of models took to the runway in perfect sequence showing off such an array of colour and print. I was so captivated by the pieces that I had to take a second glance when I realised there was a plus size model walking out on the runway right before my eyes. Trying to Snapchat, Instagram and take photos all at the same time, before I knew it more body shapes and diverse figures were on the catwalk. By the time the fifth plus size model arrived I had tears rolling down my face. To some that would sound daft, but I couldn’t control it as it was something I’ve wanted to see for such a long time. The room was in awe of Siriano’s show, everyone loved what he had done but more so the importance of a designer with such a celebrity list of clients showing how incredibly beautiful the concept of diversity is.
In Siriano’s designs you will see he has embraced various frames. These women are in crop tops, double slit dresses, centre slits and full white dresses. There is no compromise or fashion rules here on style and thats what is so important. Our US friends are certainly flying the flag with designers from Chromat ( featuring all diversities every season), to Lane Bryant, Sophie Theallet and of course Siriano flawlessly showing how it really should be, inclusive for all and I still hope this will encourage other fashion weeks and designers to follow in the same footsteps. When Siriano was asked in an interview with Elle magazine about designers being inclusive and how he made it work he replied:
“Honestly, I think the “trick” is you have to really want to do it. You’re embracing more of the world. Which is great. We’re all in the world together, you know? And the models in the show who are “plus size,” they’re not in a special place, they’re not wearing differently styled outfits. They’re just beautiful girls who are in the show, like normal. Everything’s normal. That’s how it should be!”
Key favourites from Christian Sirianos Spring Summer 2017 Collection below
The finale
Lou. xx
Read Christian Siriano’s full interview Elle magazine here and another great and equally wonderful interview with Glamour Magazines Lauren Chan here.
