Australian Fashion Week 2022 hosts first plus-size runway show

An Australian Fashion Week show has earned applause for dedicating its runway to “real” women after the fashion event was slammed last year.

For the first time in its 26-year history, Australian Fashion Week has hosted a plus-size runway show – and the move has been met with huge applause.

The Curve Edit featured 84 different runway looks from six local labels that all design clothes for women sized 12 to 26.

Model Robyn Lawley led the first of its kind show, put together by modelling agent Chelsea Bonner, CEO of Bella Management.

Chelsea said historically it has always been a “battle” to convince brands to use models over a size 12. After AAFW 2021 was slammed for its lack of “size diversity” last year, Chelsea decided to take matters into her own hands.

A model walks the runway in a design by Vagary during The Curve Edit show Thursday. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

It’s the first ever show celebrating diverse body sizes and was led by supermodel Robyn Lawley. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

“The challenge every season, to get one, two or three models over a size 12 onto a fashion week runway, is enormous,” she told CNN.

“The amount of time it takes, the amount of convincing you have to do – it’s just a real battle.

“I thought, ‘You know what, I just want to do it myself’. And once everyone sees how perfect it is, it may just help break down all of those old, outdated, preconceived ideas about what a model is and what a woman looks like.”

Bodies ranging from size 12 to 26 appeared on the runway. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

At the event, models rocked an array of looks from designers Saint Somebody, 17 Sundays, Embody Women, Vagary, Harlow and Zaliea Designs.

Outfits ranged from lingerie and bikinis to flowing gowns and statement pieces.

The show has been widely praised after AAFW was slammed last year for lacking in size diversity. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

The show was ‘20 years in the making’. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

The event proved a huge success with streams of posts on social media praising the inclusive catwalk show.

“Such an awesome show! The girls were absolutely amazing! @chelseabonner you should be so proud, well done,” one person wrote on Instagram.

“Loved going to the Curve Edit at @ausfashionweek... 20 years in the making for @chelseabonner and @bellamanagement. It was as stunning as it was meaningful,” another said.

Others described the show as “a huge movement” and “a total game-changer”.

Jules Robinson attended The Curve Edit show. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Attendees of the show included former MAFS star Jules Robinson and LGBTQIA+ activist and stylist Deni Todorovic.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Deni praised The Curve Edit for showing the fashion industry “how it’s done”.

Fashion label Dyspnea featured later in the night and were also praised for being inclusive and diverse.

Originally published as Australian Fashion Week 2022 hosts first plus-size runway show