Dolce And Gabbana Has Extended Its Sizes To Include A UK 22

In a world where most fashion houses still view XXL as a size 16, this move is a major step for the brand

Updated on14th June 2019 at 11.29am

Dolce and Gabbana is in the process of rebuilding its brand image. In November last year, it was forced to cancel a fashion show in Shanghai amid allegations of racism. The design duo have also provoked outcry with their opinions of children born through IVF, for which they have since apologised. Today, however, the brand is making headlines for a far more positive reason, which is the fact that it has decided to extend its range of sizes to include a UK 22.

Speaking to The Telegraph, the designers said "Extending our clothing size range is a tribute to women, to feminine body shapes and to beauty in its entirety... For us, it was natural to extend the sizes of some clothes of our collections: we have always loved the female silhouette in every size and shape.” Indeed, the fashion house has long used a range of models to showcase its designs, most recently including Ashley Graham and Monica Bellucci. But it has also come under fire for its range of accessories that featured the slogan 'I am thin and gorgeous', back in 2017. Nevertheless, the designers said: "Beauty is not a matter of size, it is not measured in centimeters. It is instead a state of mind, an attitude."

Dolce and Gabbana's Pre-Fall 2019 collection

This news comes hot off the back of Nike's decision to feature mannequins that are also the equivalent of a UK size 22, suggesting that many retailers are now waking up to the fact that not all women are a size 16 and under. Sadly, the truth is that much of the fashion industry still regards a UK 16 to be an XXL, when in fact it is the average national dress size of women. Also, the brands that do cater to a 16 are few and far between, as illustrated by the fact that Net-a-Porter only offers 48 items in this size, out of a total of 6,869 items available on site.

Whether or not Dolce's decision will trigger other fashion brands to do the same remains to be seen. But the fact that a wider variety of women's bodies are finally being represented can only be a good thing.