To think that the time was finally ripe to stage a plus size show at one of the premier fashion weeks of the country was a welcome move--both by the plus size community in India and for the not-so-plus-sized peeps who see people as more than just their bodies.

Also read: These faces will walk the plus-size runway at Lakme Fashion Week

So, when clothing brand aLL--the plus size store, decided to showcase plus size fashion at Lakme Fashion Week, we were more than just excited. The show was to get its designer stamp of approval by being curated by Shilpa Chavan of Little Shilpa--who is known for her whimsical accessories--and the best part was definitely the fabulous models, handpicked from real people.

Models on aLL - the plus size store's runway. Photo: Yogen Shah Models on aLL - the plus size store's runway. Photo: Yogen Shah

With all the positivity and the buzz going around the show, the actual presentation in itself was a downer. Neither the styling nor the feel of the show hit the notes it was expected to, with the latter being a bigger culprit. It's true that those walking the runway weren't professionals, and kudos to them for being so comfortable in their skin, but the whole point of it being a fashion presentation seemed a moot point, when the models weren't taught to treat the runway with a sense of seriousness one sees in regular presentations. It's not like models enjoy walking with a poker face, but they have minimal expressions or hand movements to keep the focus strictly on the clothes.

What do we say to that! Photo: Yogen Shah What do we say to that! Photo: Yogen Shah

Instead, let us turn the spotlight on the women that walked the runway on the first day of the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive during the Wendell Rodricks show and totally slayed it on the runway. Real women from different walks of life, they lacked modelesque bodies or professional training as models, but they more than made up for it with their attitude.

Real women on the Wendell Rodricks runway. Photo: Yogen Shah Real women on the Wendell Rodricks runway. Photo: Yogen Shah

And as far as the clothes go, we aren't amazed! From blogger Gabi Gregg and model Ashley Graham's respective swimsuit lines to Melissa McCarthy's clothing line Seven7, fashion for plus size women is more fun and in touch with the trends than it's ever been. No more sticking to blacks and staying away from bold prints.

There's nothing more beautiful than seeing the runway injected with some reality. However, till the time we keep on resorting to Bollywood's attitude towards fat people--the way the air in a room becomes pregnant with the anticipation of humour on an oversized person's entry--we'll never give plus sized people's bodies or fashion the respectful treatment it deserves.

Alas, what a waste of a stellar opportunity!