The recent fashion month marked a return to high-production presentations from brands, but it also revealed a worrying trend – the lack of size diversity on the runway. While there were some exciting debuts of curve models, including Grace Breuning’s appearance at Paris Fashion Week, many people have expressed concern that the hard-fought gains toward greater size inclusivity in shows and campaigns are being eroded. Breuning, a 23-year-old from Minneapolis, made a striking appearance at the Chanel show, wearing an expertly tailored snow white tweed short set. She was one of only three curve models selected to walk for the brand’s spring ’23 show, which was particularly meaningful for Chanel, as they had gone ten years without casting a curve model. Breuning’s appearance is significant, as it may signal a shift towards luxury brands and runway shows.
Breuning is aware of the incremental steps towards more strong, varied, and consistent representation of different body types taking place in fashion. Although she is grateful to be part of that progress, she acknowledges that there are still challenges. For example, when she goes to modeling events, she is sometimes mistaken for a member of the hair team, which shows how far the industry still has to go. Breuning feels that the industry needs to do more than just cast more curve models; it also needs to create aesthetically pleasing and expertly crafted clothing for them.
Breuning’s journey to becoming a curve model has been challenging. She has had mostly commercial gigs since she started modeling a few years ago in New York. Her debut at Chanel’s show is a significant milestone in her career. This achievement is even more remarkable, given the recent health scare she experienced when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She underwent surgery, and thankfully the mass was successfully removed. The experience changed her as a person, and she is now intent on living life to the fullest and chasing down opportunities.
Breuning is not afraid to speak up about how curve models are treated within the industry. She hopes that brands will not only cast more curve models but also dress them in clothes that are aesthetically pleasing and expertly crafted. Breuning has dreams of walking for Versace one day, as their curve models look gorgeous and hot. She is determined to become a successful model and believes that this is the best way to achieve her goals.
