'Curviest model ever' calls out Revolve on recent controversy: 'I think it's a little tone-deaf'
Just as New York Fashion Week came to a close, Olay staged a show of its own: a makeup-free runway to inspire confidence. And among those gracing the catwalk was “curviest model ever” Hunter McGrady, who spoke to Yahoo Lifestyle about topics from skin care to the recent controversy involving retailer Revolve.
“If you had asked me 28 days ago, I probably would have said it’s not going to happen,” McGrady said of her decision to join the makeup-free show. “But I have been using three Olay products exclusively, and it’s transformed my skin, and I felt super-confident.”
A post shared by Hunter McGrady (@huntermcgrady) on Sep 13, 2018 at 3:35pm PDT
Earlier in the week, McGrady had walked the Loft show that took place during theCURVYcon — an experience that for her, as an advocate of body positivity, was a fashion week highlight. “It was amazing! It was my first year participating, and I think it’s epic that they’re doing it,” she said of the plus-size celebration. “It’s the most inclusive runway of the season.”
Also on the topic of inclusivity, McGrady shared her thoughts on the controversy surrounding Revolve. On Wednesday, the retailer was accused of fat-shaming with the release of a sweatshirt emblazoned with the phrase “Being fat is not beautiful. It’s an excuse.” And the model didn’t shy away from calling them out.
“I think it’s a little tone-deaf,” she said. “I think that they’re really missing the mark — I know they were trying to make it a positive and empowering moment, but it’s not the right way to do it.” Messaging aside, the sweatshirt had additional problems, the model said. “It wasn’t shot on a plus-size model, it’s not sold at a plus-size store, it only goes up to an XL,” she explained. “The whole thing was kind of a catastrophe, and when I saw it, I was like, ‘This is not good.’”
Although the retailer issued an apology on Friday, McGrady had some additional thoughts on how Revolve could make it right. “Expand,” she declared. “If you want to be inclusive and bring body positivity and diversity to your brand, then do it all over: Expand your sizes, expand who you have modeling for you, expand who you sell to.” Bottom line, McGrady said: “Bring diversity to it through and through — authentically.”
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Curvy shoppers grill retail execs: ‘Plus-size’ applies to body shapes other than ‘hourglass’
Why the crowd went wild over this ‘wildest dreams’ moment on a New York Fashion Week runway
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