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Ashley Graham walked in a Dolce & Gabbana show and fans don’t know what to think

Ashley Graham (Photo: Instagram courtesy Dolce & Gabbana)
Ashley Graham (Photo: Instagram courtesy Dolce & Gabbana)

Plus-size representation is never a bad thing. And considering the fact that fashion often excludes plus-size folks, it’s a welcome change to see more plus-size models being included by the industry.

Still, given the recent controversies surrounding Stefano Gabbana — the designer reportedly called Selena Gomez “so ugly” in a Instagram comment — some of Ashley Graham’s fans aren’t happy that she recently walked in a Dolce & Gabbana show.

The Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Fashion Show took place this week in Como, Italy. Graham was one of the models, and she walked the outdoor runway in a stunning black dress. She excitedly shared a video from the show on her Instagram account on Friday.

🥀🖤🥀@dolcegabbana @dolcegabbana @dolcegabbana 🥀🖤🥀

A post shared by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@ashleygraham) on Jul 6, 2018 at 5:01pm PDT

Plenty of fans commented with words of praise for Graham, pointing out how great she looked in the dress. But some fans questioned why Graham would support the controversial designers. “Why walk for a designer that unreasonably shames women?” one person commented.

Others pointed out that Dolce & Gabbana’s designers have been called out for fat shaming in the past. The brand was criticized in 2017 for selling sneakers that said “I’m thin & gorgeous.”

As Revelist pointed out, the designers didn’t apologise either. Instead, Stefano Gabbana shared another fat-shaming post on Instagram, uploading a video of himself dancing and writing “fat and full of cholesterol” in his Instagram caption.

Graham often shares details about her own workouts, so it’s understandable why fans might be upset at her working with someone who posted such a callous caption.

And, in April, when Graham walked for a different Alta Moda show in New York, fans had similarly mixed reactions, as Revelist notes. On the one hand, it is great to see a major fashion house embracing a curvier model. But on the other hand, it makes sense that Graham’s fans aren’t happy with her decision.

Kourtney Kardashian received similar backlash earlier this week, after she posted a photo on Instagram with designer Domenico Dolce, one half of the Italian fashion powerhouse, while on a luxurious Italian holiday.

Dolce,Dolce,Dolce ✨

A post shared by Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) on Jul 4, 2018 at 2:19pm PDT

One thing to consider: Fans’ criticism should probably be more of the designers than of Graham.

The model doesn’t get to do many luxury fashion shows like this one, so it’s understandable that she’d want to take the opportunity. And her appearance in the show could be seen as the designers’ attempt to change and to foster a more progressive company.

Only time will tell whether or not the designers — and Gabbana in particular — are actually moving forward.

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