|
The Spring 2018 collection featured the models
dressed in Bohemian-inspired dresses paired with leather jackets
that gave the collection a touch of edge.
“Over 60 percent of the women in America are plus size (or)
considered plus size,” said Elizabeth Munoz, head of product and
design for Torrid. “The fashion industry can keep passing and
keep saying I'm not going to acknowledge that but there's going
to be a point where we can't ignore the fact that most of the
available population to sell to is a size that they don't make.”
Torrid, which sells clothing, shoes and accessories for women
sizes 10-30, also used the show as a stage to present the 10
women selected from its third annual model search, which will
give one model the opportunity to become the face of the brand.
Torrid 2017 Model Search finalist Maria Gimena got the courage
to try out after seeing plus-size models like Ashley Graham, who
she said have similar features as her, booking campaigns and
walking the runway.
“I was very doubtful to try out and then finally my friend was
like you have to do it. I did it,” Gimena said confidently. “And
here I am.”
Munoz said the retailer, which has over 500 stores across the
United States and Canada, did not have trouble finding
full-figured women to model for the collection.
“But there is not a lot of girls,” Munoz said. “I think there is
opportunity to have many more girls in this business and
sometimes it’s hard to get them all at the same time.”
Reflecting on her journey, finalist Seairra Thompson from Las
Vegas, Nevada said people made her believe she did not deserve
to love fashion because she was a size 10.
“It took a lot of self-discovery and a really big journey for me
to realize that I love fashion,” Thompson said. “I love
everything about it. And I should be a part of it. There's no
reason for me not to be a part of it.”
(Reporting by Yahaira Jacquez and Elly Park; Editing by Lisa
Shumaker)
[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
