This morning (Tuesday 6th November) online fashion retailer, Simply Be, held their lingerie catwalk show ‘We’re All Angels’ – the most size inclusive lingerie presentation of the season, featuring models from a size 10-22.
It was headlined by the likes of model and diversity campaigner Robyn Lawley (size 16), who recently created an online petition calling for a boycott of the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show – one of the most anticipated events in the fashion calendar which famously only features models of a size 8 or smaller.
Two days ahead of the highly publicised Victoria’s Secret show, Robyn was joined by models Hayley Hasselhoff (size 18), Ashley James (size 12) and Felicity Hayward (size 22) in the event which celebrated the individuality of all women regardless of their size or shape.
According to the most up to date Government data, the average woman in the UK wears a 36DD bra and is a dress size 16, yet research revealed the shocking statistics that 89% of women didn’t feel represented in main stream advertising, on runways, on TV and in the fashion press.
The We’re All Angels event showcased the brand’s AW18 lingerie offer which features snake print, chain choker detailing, romantic lace, glitter bodysuits and studded strapping right up to a chest size 48, K cup and brief size 32, proving that everyone can look and feel amazing in great fitting lingerie.
The brand has a history of challenging the norm and celebrating the diversity of women where there is a lack of inclusivity and representation. The Curve Catwalk event which was held on the eve of London Fashion Week last September, championing curves and celebrating bodies of all shapes and sizes on the runway. Just last season it kicked off the week of fashion shows with a protest outside The Strand, encouraging everyone to be confident in their own skin.
At the same time, Simply Be announced finding from its annual lingerie report which discovered that 71% of women found a “perfect” bra the wardrobe item they find most difficult to shop for, but a massive nine out of ten women, 91%, said such a bra made them feel more confident regardless of the outfit they wore over it.
The report revealed that 81% of women questioned would willingly pay more for a bra that was an excellent fit, but despite this the majority of women, 73%, felt that most lingerie advertising did not represent them or their body type.
The research conducted by the brand also revealed that women owned on average 11 bras, but the survey discovered they would class only three of those as being a “perfect” fit. The most popular reason for owning so many was that they were purchased to go with specific outfits. Eight out of ten women (84%) felt a well fitted bra, or a badly fitted one, would “make or break” an outfit.
Ann Steer, Chief Customer Officer at N Brown Group who own Simply Be said: “Our ‘We’re All Angels’ show is a celebration of women and who they are, eliminating the idea that we are defined by our bodies. At Simply Be we believe that women should be able to wear whatever they want regardless of size.
“Most presentations and campaigns of this type feature only size eight or smaller models but our line-up of incredible women highlights that there are no boundaries when it comes to size, something that Simply Be has firmly embraced. This isn’t about thin shaming – we just think it’s time we saw more diversity in terms of size in advertising campaigns and on runways.
“Our research shows that ultimately, women feel their best in great underwear but most are not catered for with beautiful trend-led lingerie! This is where we come in – there’s a style to suit everyone in our AW18 collection, and with sizes going up to a K cup, there’s no compromise between style and fit.
“We want everyone to channel their identity through great fitting fashion pieces and lingerie is the perfect place to start to show off that inner confidence.”
Robyn Lawley added: “I started the petition with the help of a few women who have the same sentiments.
“I’ve worked with Simply Be over the years and I’ve witnessed them champion women of all shapes and sizes throughout all of their campaigns.
“Inclusivity and positivity at this level is so refreshing and important.”
Top seven bra-buying dilemmas
1. Back strap too tight.
2. Underwires that stick into ribs.
3. Cups cut too small creating “spillage”
4. Back strap too loose.
5. Narrow straps that dig into shoulders.
6. If it’s comfortable it’s likely to be unfashionable.
7. If it’s pretty it’s often flimsy and doesn’t give support.
