As the fashion world evolves, reaching new levels of inclusion on a daily basis, one aspect of fashion that we LOVE to see is body positivity on fashion’s most prestigious runways. While we are seeing steady progression in the area of women’s fashion, sive diversity and inclusion in male models on the runway leaves much to be desired. Why are creative directors routinely excluding plus size men from fashion week exhibitions?
Fashion weeks around the world attract the world’s most beautiful and fashionable people. From Oscar winning actresses, the world’s top supermodels, and the most influential people in fashion, the industry collides, setting the tone for what is in and what is out.
Paris Fashion Weeks are generally separated by menswear and womenswear. Of the two, womenswear collections garner the most attention in the press, making it a formidable force in changing the narrative for fashon consumers worldwide. While these shows persent the pinnacle of fashion, they also represent the ideal fashion consumer through the representation of the models chosen to strut the runway. Designers like Brandon Maxwell, Jacquemus, Versace, and many more have taken to welcoming plus size models to their runways, and we are here for it.
We’ve seen so many shows and campaigns from some of fashion’s biggest names showing women with curves in pieces as one of a kind as their bodies. As a society, we have learned to associate feminism with body positivity, banishing “sizism” from civil discourse, embracing all shapes and sizes as natural and healthy. But this is just for women. When is the last time you saw a full figured male model represented at fashion week? I can’t find a single one.
During Paris Fashion Weeks Spring/Summer 2022 Menswear showings, every single male model on the runway was tall and thin. These men are beautiful, and rightfully deserved their places at PFW, but I can’t help but wonder WHY we as a society are so much more open to body inclusivity in the female fashion universe than our male counterparts. Is this just a new form of sexism in the fashion industry?
Louis Pisano, famed fashion writer, commentator, and influencer, made an excellent point in one of his most recent Instagram stories. It’s no surprise that many of the movers and shakers in the fashion industry identify as gay men. In his story he noted that “it’s easier for them to detach themselves from societal ideals of desirability when they in fact have no desire for the gender in question. When it comes to casting men, of course they’re going to immediately go to their ideal of beauty.” This is such a true testimony. From former US President Donald Trump to countless other figures in both political and fashion history, men favoring women they are sexually attracted to in a professional setting has been a huge proble. Why is it different for me?
This begs the question, is this a new era of sexism in fashion? We have heard so many stories throughout the years of the ways that women have been mistreated in the fashion industry. We have tackled so many of these issues in a strong and unified way. While there is much room to grow, the conversation surrounding female models is strong, with continuous support for these beautiful women. We have heard the casting nightmare stories and the ways in which women have been shamed for their size, but people don’t seem to have the same sensitivity toward men.
I believe that it is time to start protecting men in the fashion industry with the same level of fervor as we do for women. There is such a strong movement toward loving a good dad bod (hello Leo), that it is time to see these men with normal healthy bodies represented on the runways. After all- we are fighting for gender EQUALITY, and that certainly applies to the bodies and self esteems of men in the fashion industry.
Here are 3 of my favorite plus sized male models, who I believe are ready to open any show for any fashion week.
Zach Miko
Zach Miko is a model with IMG models, and if you don’t think he’s hot…you are WRONG. With his piercing blue eyes, sexy lumberjack beard, and his incredible body, I would love to see him represented in the high fashion arena.
Joel Davis
Joel Davis is represented by The Source Models. Anybody with eyes can see that this man is absolutely beautiful. His glowing dark skin and his undeniable swag make for an all around perfect model. I would love to see him on the runways of Paris Fashion Week. He has the look, and it’s about time that luxury brands embrace him.
Peter Meyer
Peter Meyer is a model and an actor represented by Bridge Models. He is completely charming with a unique look that is perfect for high fashion. As an avid adventurer, he brings a global awareness to his looks that is unique and special.
There are so many models who deserve recognition and appreciation for their contributions to the fashion industry. My hope going forward is that plus sized men in the industry start to gain the traction that they deserve. When we start cultivating a culture that creates confident women AND men, we can eliminate so many of the negative emotions associated with body insecurity. It’s time to include diverse men in fashion shows. Let’s make it happen.