Critics of Lena Dunham’s new plus size clothing collection say the pieces do not include all plus size people because the largest size is 26.
Dunham, creator of HBO’s Emmy nominated series “Girls”, told The New York Times this week that she is collaborating with oversized clothing company 11 Honoré on a “strictly edited collection of just five items”. The offerings, from size 12 to size 26, range from a $ 98 high-necked ribbed cotton blouse to a $ 298 jacket.
“At the moment, the only thing I’m doing is talking about my own experience,” Dunham, who wears a size 14 or 16, told the outlet. “So this clothing line is a direct response to my experience.”
The average woman in the United States wears a size of 16 to 18, according to a scientific study, and plus size brands like Eloquii and Universal Standard go up to 28 and 4X, respectively.
Many people on social media have pointed out that Dunham’s clothing sizes seem closer to the average size than the large sizes, and that there are “limited” options for larger people.
11 Honoré design director Danielle Williams Eke told HuffPost via email that “it was important” for the company to offer private label products in sizes up to 26.
“It took us a long time to perfect the series up to size 26, which included several fits on a variety of women from 12 to 26 years old with varying body shapes,” said Eke. “Our ultimate goal is to dress as many women as possible and we are completely open to expanding size 26 in the future!”
Marcy Guevara-Prete, celebrity stylist, co-owner of The Plus Bus Boutique and self-proclaimed “big fan of 11 Honoré”, said she believes the brand is “doing the best with limited resources to provide luxurious fashion for large sizes. “
“However, I think this particular collaboration is somewhat deaf,” Guevara-Prete told HuffPost by email, adding that “the simple solution is not to call it ‘inclusive'”.
“When something is called inclusive and stops at 26, it excludes a large part of the plus size community, and the most desperate for plays like these, those over 26,” said Guevara-Prete, who dressed stars like comedian Michelle Buteau and actor Gabourey Sidibe.
Guevara-Prete said that “Dunham’s rapid foray into plus size fashion” shows “his continued privilege in the industry and now in the plus size fashion industry”.
Dunham did not respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.