ELOQUII Puts Plus-Size Front & Center At New York Fashion Week

Plus-size brand ELOQUII ushered in New York Fashion Week with its first-ever runway show, staged Wednesday night at Laissez Faire in Manhattan. At a time when plus-size fashion faces shrinking rack space and industry backpedaling, ELOQUII’s decision to snatch the spotlight felt both bold and necessary.

To open New York Fashion Week is to declare centrality and significance within the global fashion conversation. ELOQUII’s message was unmistakable: the plus-size consumer isn’t going anywhere, and her place in fashion’s future is non-negotiable.

Yesenia Torres is the Creative Director of ELOQUII. She says her perspective as a plus-size woman is still a rare one in today’s fashion industry. “In a time when size inclusion is being pushed aside in favor of outdated beauty ideals, our presence is a reminder that plus-size people are not only part of fashion, we are shaping its future. As other brands close their doors, we are standing firm in our mission, creating spaces where our customer has long been excluded and affirming that she belongs at the very forefront of style,” shares Torres.

“This is about more than fashion. Our customer is treated differently because of her size,” says Julie Carnevale, Co-founder of ELOQUII. “We are going to do everything in our power to equalize her and bring equality into fashion because sadly it’s 2025, and (the fashion industry) still is not there. We are the only plus-size brand showing at Fashion Week (this year). While I’m happy about (the show), my brain is swirling with the amount of work that needs to be done.”

“Our New York Fashion Week debut is both a celebration of our community and a declaration of intent,” says Torres. “ELOQUII has always stood for bold design and impeccable fit, and now we are bringing that vision to the runway. We chose to show this season because representation matters.”

The brand partnered with Jon Reyman for Aveda, Kyle Anderson for MAC Cosmetics, Glamnetic Nails, and Naturalizer Shoes. In attendance were Emma Arletta, Denise Bidot, Aiyanna Ishamel, Candice Huffine, Phaith Montoya, Angel Edme, and Sarah Chiwaya.

“My mission is to deliver exceptional fit with elevated fashion that celebrates, rather than compromises, our individuality,” says Torres. “Every detail is intentional because I know firsthand the power that comes from wearing clothing made with you in mind. Plus-size fashion should never be an afterthought, it deserves to be the focus.”

Tamora McLemore is a curve model who walked in Wednesday’s show. McLemore says that as a model she felt unsure whether there would be opportunities for her this year because of the current climate within fashion. “I think with clothing we should all have options and everyone should be represented,” says McLemore. “I think New York Fashion Week is this hub of fashion, obviously, and if we’re able to provide more people with a way to see themselves on the runway and to see themselves in marketing, all the better. We all deserve that.”

“I design with my community at the heart of everything I do,” concluded Torres. “Representation is not just important, it is essential, and it is deeply meaningful to create pieces that reflect our style, our needs, and our voices in fashion.”