Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia: Body diversity at Swim show on Day 2

AUSTRALIAN Fashion Week has kicked off with the swimwear show, which earned praised for one model’s surprising inclusion.

FOR years, the fashion industry has been criticised for failing to feature models with a diverse range of bodies on the runway.

But during the swimwear show on day two of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia on Monday, Sydney label Duskii cast curvy size 12 model Bree Warren in its line-up.

“SO THIS JUST HAPPENED! First curvy bod in MBFWA,” Ms Warren wrote on Instagram on Monday.

“I feel so incredibly lucky and grateful to walk for @duskiiactive today. IT’S A NEW ERA!!!! Diversity needs to be accepted, acknowledged and encouraged,” she wrote.

While Ms Warren was the only model above a size 8 cast in the show, even the tokenistic display of body diversity was warmly welcomed.

“Real bodies and real bums, thank you @duskiiactive,” wrote one local fashion editor on Instagram.

“Loving the body diversity in the show,” another editor wrote.

The annual Swim show features swimwear looks from several Australian designers. This year brands Camp Cove Swim, Fella and Pam Pam featured alongside Duskii.

Brisbane model Bree Warren walked the runway wearing creations by Duskii during the Swim show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

Ms Warren is a size 12 model. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

She is considered ‘plus-size’ but says that label is ridiculous. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

She was thrilled to be cast in the swimwear show. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

Ms Warren, from Brisbane, is technically considered a “plus-size” model, a label she says is outdated considering the average Australian woman is a size 14-16.

“I’m tall, I’m in proportion, I have wide hips, and I’m bigger than the average model but it doesn’t always translate in photos because I’m healthy and in shape,” she told Body & Soul.

“I’m the first to admit that the term ‘plus size’ is pretty silly. Unfortunately, it’s an industry term for any model over a size 10.”

She has 200,000 Instagram followers and appears on the cover of Women’s Health Australia magazine this month.

Here’s a look at some of the other swimwear designs on the runway today.

A pink bikini by Pam Pam. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

The back of the pink bikini by Pam Pam. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

At least she’s being sun safe. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

Another Pam Pam bikini. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

A model wearing a duskii bikini. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

Another duskii swimwear look. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

A model prepares backstage ahead of the Swim show. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

A model walks the runway wearing creations by duskii. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

Mercedez Benz Fashion Week is being held in Sydney all week, with the majority of shows taking place at Carriageworks in Redfern.