The 5 Most Diverse Shows at New York Fashion Week SS18

In addition to the many exciting model debuts at New York Fashion Week, the annual event was also home to some of the most diverse fashion shows to date.

The issue of diversity in the fashion industry has been a vast one that is slowly progressing, but not as quickly as it should. According to The Fashion Spot's Fall 2017 Runway Diversity Report, only 31.5 percent of shows from last year's NYFW included models of color, with only nine shows including plus-size models.

However, thanks to trailblazing designers like Christian Siriano and Tracy Reese, this number will surely continue to increase. This year, designers that regularly work toward building a safe space in their shows for people of all backgrounds took their presentations to new heights with model castings that represented an extensive range of sizes, genders, ethnicity, and ages.

Below you'll find a recap of some of the most diverse and groundbreaking shows that took place this NYFW.

Designer Christian Siriano has been known for his diverse shows, but this year the designer took things to a whole new level. In addition to supermodel Coco Rocha (whom Leslie Jones fan-girled over), male and plus-size models also graced the runway for his Spring 2018 runway show at NYFW—proving that fashion is for everyone.

Over the past years Becca McCharen-Tran has used utilized the runway to highlight some of the most influential and empowering figures in the fashion community. And this year was no different. For the brand’s Spring 2018 ready-to-wear show, models of all sizes, ethnicity, and genders took the runway to display the brand’s latest designs, including trans model Leyna Bloom and Kylie Jenner's BFF Jordyn Woods.

Tracy Reese has always celebrated women of color within her presentations, but this year she also had each of the models speak in a different language while displaying her bold designs. “I wanted them to tell their stories about their journeys, their dreams, and their aspirations, in whatever language felt most natural to them," she told Vogue.

Michael Costello always ensures that his dreamy designs can be envisioned on everyone, no matter your size. The Project Runway alum continued this notion with his Spring 2018 presentation where he featured models of all sizes, and even featured a child wearing a mini version of one of his couture gowns.

Montreal-based fashion brand Addition Elle has continuously gained popularity for its size-inclusive designs and collaboration with body positivity advocate/model Ashley Graham. But believe it or not, this year marks the first time that the brand has ever had an official NYFW show. For its big show, the brand casted a wide range of models from all ages and sizes to showcase its Holiday 2017 collection, Ashley Graham's Purple Rain collection, and Jordyn Woods Love & Legend capsule collection with the brand. 

Cheers to these brands, and the gorgeous models who walked in their inspiring shows!