What's Happening?
Kelly Augustine, a prominent fashion and lifestyle creator turned celebrity stylist, is actively championing body positivity within the fashion industry. For over a decade, Augustine has been creating space for plus-size women, advocating for clothing
that makes them feel good and comfortable, rather than attempting to minimize their appearance. Her work, which includes styling clients like Gabourey Sidibe, Danielle Brooks, and Michelle Buteau, has been featured in major publications such as Vogue and The New York Times. Augustine challenges conventional fashion rules, emphasizing volume, proportion, tailoring, and drama in her styling approach. She believes that fashion should be about 'taking up space regardless of your size' and views her existence in a plus-size body as inherently political. Despite the industry's limited representation of plus-size fashion—with only 0.5% of runway looks being plus-size according to a Vogue Business report—Augustine creatively navigates these constraints, often combining pieces from different brands to achieve desired looks.
Why It's Important?
Augustine's advocacy is crucial for challenging the long-standing, narrow beauty standards prevalent in the U.S. fashion industry. Her work directly impacts how plus-size individuals perceive themselves and are perceived by society, promoting self-acceptance and confidence. By demonstrating that fashion can be expressive and empowering for all body types, she is pushing for a more inclusive market that caters to a significant portion of the population often overlooked. The scarcity of plus-size offerings, as highlighted by the Vogue Business report, indicates a significant market gap and a missed economic opportunity for retailers. Augustine's vision for a dedicated luxury retail space for diverse body sizes could inspire new business models and product development, leading to a more equitable and profitable fashion landscape. Her influence extends beyond styling, fostering a cultural shift towards celebrating diverse bodies and challenging the notion that certain body types should conform to restrictive fashion 'rules.'
What's Next?
Augustine plans to expand her impact beyond styling by creating a dedicated showroom and retail space designed specifically for diverse body sizes. This initiative aims to provide plus-size shoppers with the luxury retail experience often denied to them, offering a wide range of clothing options, wide-width shoes, larger accessories, and tailors experienced with various body types. This move could set a new standard for inclusivity in retail, potentially inspiring other designers and brands to invest in similar infrastructure. Her continued work with high-profile clients will likely maintain visibility for the body positivity movement in mainstream media. The fashion industry may face increasing pressure to address the disparities in sizing and representation, driven by consumer demand and the success of advocates like Augustine, potentially leading to more inclusive collections and marketing strategies.
Beyond the Headlines
The deeper implications of Augustine's work touch upon ethical and cultural dimensions within the fashion industry. Her philosophy that 'existing in this body is a statement in its own' underscores the political nature of body image and representation. By rejecting the idea that plus-size individuals should strive to appear smaller, she challenges a pervasive societal pressure that often links self-worth to body size. This movement encourages a re-evaluation of aesthetic norms and promotes a more authentic form of self-expression. Furthermore, the struggle stylists face in finding appropriate clothing for non-sample sizes, even for a size 8, reveals systemic issues within the industry's production and design processes. Augustine's efforts highlight the need for a fundamental shift in how fashion is conceived, designed, and marketed, moving towards a model that prioritizes genuine inclusivity and celebrates the diversity of human forms.
