The Body Issue: Kim Russell on Plus Size Representation in Fashion
We speak to one of fashion’s most unfiltered voices about the state of the industry today.
“Absolutely the f-ck not.” That’s how stylist, consultant, and commentator Kim Russell responded when we asked her whether she currently feels represented in fashion. Known for her raw and unfiltered takes on celebrity style, brand campaigns and luxury, Russell’s been a pioneer on Polyvore since the 2010s and since then, has built a deep cultural knowledge of the industry, for better or worse…
For The Body Issue, she got into what it’s like being a “plus size” cultural leader who’s turned not fitting the mold into her whole point of view, and what brands can get right when it comes to body representation.
Read on for the full interview.
When you first started in the industry, what was the state of inclusivity in fashion, in campaigns, on the runways? What were you seeing?
When I first properly started around 2020, there was a gap for me to sneak in, amplify my voice, and hone my craft. I was at home a lot as I was pregnant and having a baby during the pandemic. So, the state of things at that time was bleak; there were no runways to be had, diverse or otherwise. I also have to be honest and say I haven’t ever paid attention to diversity on runways, and I can’t tell you why, but that doesn’t mean I don’t read Vogue Business articles and see the data going backwards instead of forward.
What’s your view on the current state of fashion campaigns and representation in imagery?
In some aspects, there’s improvement. Casting directors are finding a range of skin tones and ethnicities, but the body thing is in a constant loop; we just keep returning to our original starting point. Body size and shape seem to be one of the things that consistently changes trend-wise. And maybe that’s because, biologically, we are always changing too?
But the lack of body representation makes campaigns really boring. The actual editorial is suffering. I can’t even call back to a campaign I was totally obsessed with. Maybe Chanel using the Kylie Minogue “Come Into My World” but not for the representation. And pardon my crassness, but it’s usually the same 10 models. I’m not inspired.
Do you currently feel represented in fashion?
Absolutely the f-ck not. Every successful “plus size” model is tokenized, but they have flat stomachs, small arms and legs, but have bigger breasts and glutes. It’s just a slap in the face sometimes. It feels like “here, damn” scraps. Those women are beautiful and deserve their legacy, but it’s not true representation, and casting directors alongside designers and upper management can’t get away with positioning them that way. It’s not a pacifier; it’s insulting.
In 2025, you wore custom Rick Owens to the BoF gala. In your caption, you wrote, “How rare it is that I’m able to say I’m wearing a runway sample.” Could you expand on that?
This exact example is actually what I wanted to answer your last question with. I don’t feel represented in fashion because, unlike my peers, I usually can’t wear sample sizes. As a cultural leader in fashion, I have the privilege of being dressed by brands sometimes for their events, except I can’t ever indulge in the privilege because nothing fits. I walk out with shoes and bags. I’ve lost 15kg in the last 6 months, and it still isn’t enough. So it’s like, really, how pathetic are we? I’m starting to feel a lot physically from answering this because usually I don’t think about it or care to, but when you sit down and discuss it, it starts to dawn on you.
Has there been a point in the industry where you felt like inclusivity and body diversity were changing for the better?
2018 comes to mind; it was a time when I’d actually given up and started working as a special needs education assistant, so I wasn’t really tapped in. I was focused on building my archive knowledge and being an insane reviewer because I’d given up trying to be in the industry, so my brutality was at an all-time high. I felt like I was seeing bigger bodies and not just girls with big boobs and butts and flat stomachs, but actually girls with stomachs.
Over the years, you’ve worked with incredibly well-respected brands and designers. Who are the brands that, in your opinion, are getting it right?
SKIMS has it right. They truly have a formula that, from the beginning, was inclusive. I wear it almost every day, and I feel my most confident. I’ve taken it to fashion week; it’s saved me a lot of times. Kim Kardashian and Kim Schraub have such a great team from top to bottom; the model works.
What does “getting it right” look like in 2026?
Being genuine. Not doing things because people have forced your hand into doing it. Savage X Fenty and SKIMS are some of the only brands working in that way where there’s always representation in their machine. People can tell when something’s genuine.
Brands want to overcomplicate things so that we hate the outcome and we’re like “okay just keep going how you were, it’s fine that was so terrible, don’t try to be better ever again”. Getting it right also looks like us keeping brands accountable, even in something as small as not talking about their campaigns or giving soulless things energy. They need us to engage. They NEED US.
