Research released today (14 September 2017) on the eve of London Fashion Week showed that 89% of the 2000 women questioned didn’t feel that their size was represented in main stream advertising, on runways, on TV and in the fashion press.
More than half went on to state that they felt ignored by the High Street in terms of the use of imagery of women their size and it simply ignored them when it came to fashion choices.
With the average UK size now being a 16 the survey also highlighted that 94% of young women under 40 would change a part of their body.
Parts of the body women would love to change include tummy (58%), legs (14%), chest (6%), bottom (5%), hair (3%), nose (2%), with a fifth claiming to taking to extreme dieting and a further one in ten taking diet pills due to pressures to look good.
The study, carried out by Simply Be, found that half of women put this pressure down to social media, whilst almost a third blamed catwalk models with unrealistic standards of body image.
There’s no break from the pressure either, as half of women revealed they change their outfit up to three times before leaving the house in the morning due to negative feelings when they look in the mirror.
Tackling the research findings head on, SimplyBe.co.uk will this evening stage ‘The Curve Catwalk’ – and is claiming it to be the UK’s Most Size Inclusive Runway with models between a size 12 and 24. The event will be totally at odds with the other fashion shows that will grace London Fashion Week where the majority of models are at least size 8 or below.
The Curve Catwalk, hosted a stone’s through away from Carnaby Street in London, will be a celebration showing that fashion is for everyone regardless of size or shape.
Led by the likes of Hayley Hasselhoff (size 18) Tess Holliday (size 24), Callie Thorpe (size 22) and the UK’s leading disabled model and diversity campaigner, Kelly Knox, it will feature sequins, tassels, leopard print and faux fur, proving that looking fabulous has no boundaries when it comes to size.
Angela Spindler, chief executive N Brown Group, the owners of Simply Be said; “This isn’t about thin shaming – we just think it’s time we saw more diversity in terms of size in magazines, in advertising campaigns and on runways at fashion weeks around the globe. Something Simply Be has firmly embraced. After all it’s our job as clothing retailers to make customer feel great.
“The research clearly shows that having only one body ideal is impacting how people feel about themselves. Through the Curve Catwalk we want to celebrate curves and show that fashion is for everyone.
“Our research shows that many women feel they’re not catered for with trend-led high street fashion and this is where we come in; Simply Be exists to create amazing fashion collections off the back of consumer feedback… making our customers look and feel amazing, irrespective of size.” concluded Angela.
Kelly Knox, Diversity campaigner and the UK’s leading disabled model, added: “Fashion should not be defined by ability, size, age, colour or gender choice. Fashion is for everybody.”
Hayley Hasselhoff commented: “When the guys at Simply Be asked me to be involved I jumped at the chance. The brand empowers women to be themselves and stand proud saying 'this is me'. This message resonates with what I project out into the world… that the greatest gift is being connected to yourself and loving yourself for all that you are. It's amazing to see Simply Be bringing more diversity on the runway because, after all, celebrating fashion shouldn't be dependent on dress size.
“The Curve Catwalk is about representing beauty in all and empowering women to love themselves through fashion. I can’t wait to be involved.”
‘The Curve Catwalk’ takes place on Thursday 14th September at 6pm at The Vinyl Factory and is available to watch on SimplyBe.co.uk from 8:30pm.
Its size agnostic approach to fashion irrespective of size certainly seems to be popular with customers at Simply Be. The retailer announced in its Q1 trading statement in June that revenue was up 20.5% year on year.
ENDS
