Looking at inclusive Brands all over the Plus Size Universe
Happy Monday Bold Bosses! We were originally working on a massive inter web post that brought together all of the brands who have been inclusive of plus size influencers, models, and bodies. Not gender specific. And, bonus points for other areas of inclusivity!
But, something happened as we were creating screenshots and taking notes in our “to-do” lists: The hits kept coming!
So, what does that mean? Well, first it means that we’re excited to note that brands have become more inclusive! They are listening up and bringing in people of various sizes, genders, colors, and all of the other types of inclusivity that we’ve all been asking for. Is it happening as often and at the rate we’d like? No. But, it is happening.
It also means that we can’t possibly include them all in one article… because the article would be far too long.
So, we’re introducing a new open ended series: Brand Fans.
Today, we’re fans of Calvin Klein!
They’ve been hiring models by way of entertainment personalities like Beth Ditto and Chika to try to reinvent their brand.
Calvin Klein, once known for being a major trendsetter in youth culture and very unrealistic bodies — creating often controversial waves with ads starring a 15-year-old Brooke Shields, Kate Moss (who was very skinny at the time of the shoot), muscle-rippling rap artist Mark Wahlberg — is finally catching up to some other more inclusive brands and listening to Generation Z.
“Contrast that with a brand like Victoria’s Secret, who can’t acknowledge that women exist above a size 12. They very publicly excluded trans women and plus-size women from their runway. And now, their sales are tanking,” says Tyler McCall, who analyzes retail strategy as editor-in-chief of Fashionista.com. “Meanwhile, Calvin Klein . . . is actually listening to [young shoppers].”
This may be a response to a very disappointing previous year, specifically their last quarter’s sales indicating a serious drop in profits. But, this is what many advocates hope for: that brands who have had their pockets impacted, will change their inclusivity.
Calvin Klein is also using the word “Bold” which we will cheaply and obnoxiously applaud. Perhaps it’s time to revisit their brand.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: THE FEATURED PHOTO ON THE FRONT PAGE WAS AN ACTUAL INSTAGRAM ADVERTISEMENT THAT WE NOTED FROM OUR @BOLDMZ INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT]
