NYFW: Ashley Graham makes history at Michael Kors Fall/Winter 2017 show
Michael Kors enlisted some of Hollywood's most in-demand models to walk in his New York Fashion Week show Wednesday, including Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and -- in a first-ever move for the brand -- plus-sized model Ashley Graham.
"You have no idea [how excited I am]," Graham told Allure. "This is my biggest show I've ever walked in, so I'm a little nervous."
Nervous or not, she nailed it. The 28 year old strutted flawlessly down the runway in a body-hugging, slitted sweater dress, cropped fur coat and wide black belt.
Click through to see her debut and Kors' full collection:
The move comes five months after Kors explained to USA Today why he didn't cast plus-sized models in his shows, saying:
"The only reason we don't have plus size on the runway, for me to have the range of sizes I would have to have a football stadium filled with clothes before I was able to put on a fashion show. I'd have to have everything from a size 2 to a size 18. But in real life, all of these clothes are available in this wider range in sizes. We're one of the few people who send designer clothes down the runway where we make a size 16."
Fast forward a few months, and it's clear things have changed -- and we couldn't be happier. In an interview with Access Hollywood Wednesday (watch in the video above), the designer affirmed:
"I have always waved the flag for a wide range of customers. It's my job. My job is to make everyone feel great."
Preach, Michael, preach.
He's in good company when it comes to featuring body diversity on the runway. Christian Siriano included five plus-sized models in his fall show, even making a powerful statement with a "People Are People" T-shirt.
See all the major stars who have been sitting front row at the big shows:
