Danielle Brooks has called out the fashion industry for not making a greater effort to promote body diversity, as she points out that Ashley Graham isn’t the only curvy model in the world.
The 28-year-old Orange is the New Black star made it clear that she thinks it’s great that designers are supporting Ashley, but she admitted that she doesn’t equate the willingness to dress one curvy model with inclusivity.
‘I don’t know if fashion has made a wholehearted effort,’ she recently told Vogue. ‘It’s more like, “Oh this is a trend, let’s get on it.” Then they bring in Ashley Graham, who is amazing, but isn’t the only plus-size model ever to exist.’
Hitting out: Danielle Brooks has called out the fashion industry for it’s lack of diversity
Looking for more diversity: The actress pointed out that Ashley Graham (right ) isn’t the ‘only plus-size model ever to exist’
‘What about Marquita [Pring], Denise [Bidot], Philomena [Kwao], Tess Holliday?’ she asked. ‘When I look at the ads I don’t see faces like mine, I see skinny white women.’
Danielle has starred alongside Ashley in several Lane Bryant campaigns, and she also walked the runway with her last year to showcase Christian Siriano’s collaboration with the plus-size brand.
Although she applauded Siriano and other designers who take pride in dressing women of all sizes, she doesn’t necessarily think ‘we should pat anybody on the back for [doing] something they should’ve done 30 years ago.’
Body positive: Danielle has starred alongside Ashley in several Lane Bryant campaigns
Famous role: The actress plays Taystee in the Netlfix series Orange is the New Black
Struggle: Danielle pointed out that no matter how many awards she has won, she still can’t get ‘big-name designers’ to dress her for events
She thinks designers should be trying harder, especially when very few luxury labels carry larger sizes for plus-size women.
Playing Taystee on the Netflix hit series Orange is the New Black helped skyrocket Danielle to fame, but she admitted that no matter how many awards she wins, she can’t get certain designers to dress her.
‘When I first started, I wanted to fit in. I wanted to be so inclusive with my style and it was really hard,’ she said. ‘I haven’t been given an opportunity to wear these big-name designers, it has never been an option whether I had a stylist or didn’t.
‘A lot of people won’t design for me, no matter how many SAG awards, Tony nominations, Grammy wins; it doesn’t matter.’
Fan: Danielle applauds designers who make clothes for plus-size women, including Christian Siriano. She is pictured with the singer Lizzo at the designer’s runway show in September
‘It matters’: Danielle recalled an amazing moment when a teenager recreated the navy blue Christian Siriano gown she wore to the SAG Awards in 2015 for her prom
Danielle recently took matters into her own hands by joining the ranks of Candice Huffine and designing her own capsule collection with plus-size label Universal Standard.
As part of the brand’s ongoing Tria project, plus-size influencers like Danielle work with Universal Standard designer Alexandra Waldman to create clothing they love but are never able to find in their size.
Danielle recalled an amazing moment when a teenager recreated the navy blue Christian Siriano gown she wore to the SAG Awards in 2015 for her prom.
‘I thought, Yes! It matters. I want women in huge numbers to feel motivated and feel like they are beautiful, but even if it’s just one [person], then my job is done.’