Exclusive:
A plus-size influencer has shared that she believes big industry events such as London Fashion Week should have more diversity, as people need to ‘see themselves’ when they’re growing up
Body inclusivity is so important, and the fashion industry has seen a slight shift towards it in recent years.
But as London Fashion Week is upon us once more, there is an overwhelming amount of very slim bodies being showcased on the runway, compared to mid-size or plus-size bodies.
According to Dazed, plus-size models (UK 18+) made up just 0.8 per cent and mid-size models (UK 8-16) just 3.7 per cent of people cast across the four fashion cities in Autumn’s catwalk shows of 2024.
London was the most size-inclusive, with 12 per cent plus and mid-size models seen on the runways – but it’s still not enough. Plus size influencer Natalie Yorke, who posts on Instagram as @thenatalieyorke describes herself as having “long legs and lots of curves”.
She believes that all bodies should be celebrated and catered to by the industry, and isn’t sure what’s taking so long for those in the industry to cotton on.
“Fashion has always been about setting trends and shaping beauty standards, and for too long, those standards have been incredibly narrow,” Natalie told the Mirror.
She continued: “Seeing curvier and more realistic bodies on major runways like London Fashion Week isn’t just about inclusivity – it’s about normalising all body types in the fashion industry. It shows that beauty and style aren’t limited to a size 0. Everyone deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and catered to by the industry.”
Natalie also shared that she believes “representation shapes self-worth” – so it’s important to see people like you when you’re growing up.
She said: “When young people only see one type of body being celebrated, it sends the message that anything outside of that isn’t good enough. And in this social media age that we live in, it can be quite harmful.
“Seeing diverse body types – curvy, slim, muscular, plus-size, petite – helps us to build confidence and, more importantly, self-acceptance. It also teaches the next generation that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all and that they are worthy just as they are.
“I started working in fashion when I was in my early 20s, and I spent far too long thinking that there was something wrong with me when in fact, there was nothing wrong with me at all.”
When it comes to what Natalie brings to the industry, she said: “A little confidence, positivity, and good vibes”. But she said that her body positivity journey isn’t over, as she’s “still learning” that she can “wear whatever she wants” even though she “has curves”.
“Like most people, I’ve had my own personal body struggles, and as a PCOS sufferer, I’ve started to talk about this more as I’ve had to learn to manage and live with a condition that has changed how I look, how my hair grows and how I feel overall,” she candidly shared.
She continued: “I spent years hiding my body, so now I’m embracing it. I want to show that curves are meant to be embraced, not hidden!”
