Designer Christian Siriano on Plus-Size Fashion and Reality TV
As New York Fashion Week kicks off, Christian Siriano, the US designer known for his inclusive approach to fashion, discusses his journey from reality TV to designing for A-list celebrities and changing the fashion industry’s approach to plus-size clothing.
"If you want to work in fashion, you have to be completely obsessed with it," Siriano told the BBC. At 38, his obsession has clearly paid off. His career achievements include founding a profitable fashion label, dressing stars like Celine Dion, Michelle Obama, and Zendaya, and co-hosting Project Runway, a long-standing US reality competition that he won in 2007. "I work really, really hard," he says.
A Champion for Plus-Size Fashion
From the beginning, Siriano has been a strong advocate for body inclusivity in fashion. His debut runway collection in 2008 featured clothes for plus-size individuals, challenging the industry norms that often exclude larger bodies. He insisted that luxury retailers such as Moda Operandi and Neiman Marcus carry his evening gowns in sizes up to a UK 28, pushing for inclusivity in high fashion.
One of his most notable moments came in 2016 when comedian Leslie Jones publicly shared her frustration that no designer would dress her for the Ghostbusters premiere due to her larger, taller frame. Siriano responded by designing a stunning, form-fitting, off-the-shoulder black dress that quickly went viral. Since then, he has dressed a range of curvy celebrities, including Oscar nominee Danielle Brooks, Grammy winner Lizzo, and supermodel Ashley Graham.
Fashion for All Sizes
Siriano’s belief in size inclusivity was shaped by his own family. "My mom is curvy. My sister is tiny. They both wanted the same dresses. Chic is chic, right?" he says. This philosophy resonated with celebrity stylists who flocked to his studio looking for dresses for their clients, regardless of size. "Women with flawless style know it doesn't matter that their client was a size zero and the model was a size 14. Because it doesn't matter. A great dress is a great dress!" he says.
Despite his success, Siriano faced challenges in the industry. Department stores often ordered fewer plus-size evening gowns compared to smaller sizes. This led to disappointment for many women who wanted to buy his designs but couldn’t find their sizes in stores. "It felt awful to let women down like that," he said.
A Bold Move to Bring Inclusivity In-House
In response, about five years ago, Siriano made a bold decision to bring retail sales back to his Manhattan studio, where he could produce the sizes his shoppers wanted rather than those deemed "appropriate" by department stores. This move allowed him greater control over the production process and ensured that his designs were available to women of all sizes.
Changing the Fashion Industry One Dress at a Time
Christian Siriano's career and advocacy efforts highlight the importance of inclusivity in the fashion industry. By proving that chic fashion is not limited by size and ensuring that everyone, regardless of body type, can access beautiful clothing, Siriano is not only redefining fashion norms but also inspiring a more inclusive future for the industry.