I’ve always been a fan of Refinery29. They’re like the quirky-cool girl that just seems to effortlessly pull off the most unique trends, have the scoop on the hottest gossip, and the insight about the newest food mash-up/iPhone app/travel destination. But the one thing that frustrated me about them was that they almost never wrote anything about plus fashion. I would scan the site looking for style suggestions that linked to pieces in my size…and maybe I’d come across one option, if I was lucky.

Four years ago I received an email from Refinery29 asking if I’d be interested in being part of a focus group. In my response back I told them that I wanted to write for their site, specifically covering plus size fashion. I heard back from Connie that day, and I’ve been lucky to have her as my editor ever since.

I’ve been writing for Refinery29 now for four years, and working in the fashion industry for over nine years now (omg), and the landscape has absolutely changed, with so much happening in just the last few years. Although we have more evolving still to do, the differences are exciting. Where once I was the biggest woman in every room in a sea of homogeneous white clones, I now see more diversity than ever before on every level. A wider variety of sizes, shapes, ethnicities, ages, and abilities are on and off the runway.

Yesterday, Refinery29 launched The 67% Project, and I couldn’t be prouder. From a site that almost never had content directed towards women like me, Refinery29 has grown into an inclusive space that realizes representation is incredibly important, and it’s been incredibly exciting to be a part of that.

 

This conversation is important, and you can be part of it to. Use the hashtag #SeeThe67 on social media to share your thoughts and participate in this dialogue.