According to our latest diversity report, there were only six plus-size model appearances at Fashion Week Fall 2016. The dearth of representation for full-figured women goes beyond the runway. Magazine editorials are also lacking when it comes body diversity. While most activists rally for regular inclusion in magazines, special issues targeting the plus-size community are, at the very least, a step in the right direction.
Glamour is joining the conversation by releasing a special plus-size issue in collaboration with Lane Bryant. The issue is part of a bigger partnership, which will include a video series, in-store vignettes, Lane Bryant ads in Glamour‘s regular issues, a plus-size clothing collection debuting in October and another special magazine edition, Fashionista reports.
On newsstands now, the first plus-size issue repurposes older content, from the cover image (a 2015 shot of Ashley Graham) to celebrity interviews (Lena Dunham from 2014). It’s also pricey. The 96-page issue costs $12.99, significantly more expensive than Glamour‘s regular issues. Lane Bryant is the only advertiser with eight ad pages in total. A Glamour rep told Fashionista that the issue, which features shopping advice, fashion trends and style inspiration from everyday women, is “a curated and original editorial product presented by Lane Bryant.”
It’s great to see a Condé Nast title embrace the plus-size community in such a major way. The collaboration also speaks to Lane Bryant’s enduring commitment to fight for better representation for plus-size women in the fashion industry. But we can’t help but wonder if one-off issues spark lasting change. We’d be thrilled to see magazines integrate plus-size women more substantially into their regular issues. There’s room for improvement, to be sure, but the Glamour and Lane Bryant collaboration is a start. And given the lack of representation for plus-size women in fashion, it’s one we’re grateful for.
