It is still rare to see plus size male models represented in fashion. Designer Patrick Church is bucking that trend with Land of My Dreams, his F/W 2020 collection, featuring Ady Del Valle, Denise Bidot, and Mina Gerges.
When it comes to choosing models for his campaigns, Church says it’s about showcasing beauty at every size. “I don’t necessary think about the people I use in my campaigns being plus size. I just like to celebrate beauty in every shape and form. Confidence and people being themselves is most important to me when choosing a model. I want the people’ personalities to shine through, it is as much about the model I choose as it is about the clothes. They are powerful and confident and are a true representation of my brand.”
The new collection offers hand painted leather jackets, long and short sleeved mesh tops, hand painted tanks and thongs, to name a few. Don’t let the sizing fool you, though the largest size you can select on the website is XL, Del Valle says the tops are made to fit even bigger people. “[The] tops are all stretch material, and the XL sizing fits up to a 5X body frame. I’m normally a 4X or 5X.”
“I tested all the pieces on set myself to [better understand] what fits a bigger body. [The tops are perfect] for the people who like that mesh with a cool custom print look maybe under a blazer or jacket. Even alone, it looks dope.” Del Valle also tells me that the underwear stretch and can fit up to a size 2X/3X.
Our mesh pieces stretch to fit most forms comfortably, which was really important to me when choosing to work with this fabric. It’s comfortable and flattering on the body.
Church adds that comfort for multiple body types was an important factor in the new collection. “Our mesh pieces stretch to fit most forms comfortably, which was really important to me when choosing to work with this fabric. It’s comfortable and flattering on the body. I also added elastic to the waist of a lot of the pieces so that it felt comfortable when worn and could accommodate different body types.”
Representation matters in so many ways, and see “non traditional, ” visibly plus size body types featured in fashion campaigns is a step forward for the industry as a whole. “I know we still have a long way to go. Little by little.” says Del Valle.
Church says the fashion industry needs to start warming to the idea of working with more plus size models. “I think [the industry is] changing, it’s something I have wanted to do for a while but being a small brand, adding a size run can be complicated when it comes to production. I had been listening to clients feedback and new this was the right time.”
See the full Patrick Church F/W 2020 collection available now at his website, and follow Patrick, Ady Del Valle and Mina Gerges on Instagram at @patrickchurchny, @_adydelvalle, and @itsminagerges respectively.
