Kim Russell Critiques Tokenism in Plus Size Fashion
Stylist Kim Russell tells Hypebae she feels unrepresented in fashion, citing tokenism and a lack of genuine inclusivity in campaigns and sample sizes.
Stylist and commentator Kim Russell says she does not feel represented by the fashion industry in 2026. In an interview for Hypebae's Body Issue, she criticized the tokenization of plus-size models and the lack of accessible sample sizes for cultural leaders like herself.
Russell, known for her unfiltered commentary since her early work on Polyvore in the 2010s, described the current state of body representation as stuck in a loop. While she acknowledges improvement in the range of skin tones and ethnicities cast, she argues that body size and shape remain subject to trends. This lack of genuine diversity, she contends, makes campaigns boring and unmemorable.
The Reality of Tokenized Representation
Russell was blunt in her assessment. "Absolutely the f-ck not," she said when asked if she feels represented. She explained that every successful plus-size model is tokenized, typically featuring flat stomachs, small arms and legs, but with bigger breasts and glutes. She calls this approach "scraps" and an insult, not true representation. Designers, casting directors, and upper management, she argues, cannot get away with positioning these models as fully inclusive.
The Sample Size Barrier
The practical barrier of sample sizes provides a concrete example of this exclusion. Russell recalled wearing custom Rick Owens to the BoF gala in 2025, noting in a caption how rare it was for her to wear a runway sample. As a cultural leader often offered the privilege of being dressed by brands for events, she usually cannot partake because nothing fits. She typically walks out with only accessories-shoes and bags. Even after losing 15 kilograms in six months, she found it was still not enough to fit standard samples.
Moments of Progress and Current Standouts
When asked if she had ever seen improvement, Russell pointed to 2018. During that period, she felt she was seeing bigger bodies that included stomachs, not only models with specific hourglass proportions. Regarding brands that are currently successful, she highlighted SKIMS. Russell stated the brand has an inclusive formula from the top down that makes her feel confident, and she wears it almost daily, including to fashion week. She also cited Savage X Fenty as another brand with genuine, consistent representation in its operations.
The Formula for Getting It Right
For Russell, getting inclusivity right in 2026 means being genuine and not acting only because of external pressure. She believes consumers can detect when efforts are soulless. Brands, she suggests, sometimes overcomplicate inclusivity to provoke a negative reaction, making people beg for a return to the status quo. True change also requires holding brands accountable through engagement-or a deliberate lack of it for performative campaigns. "They NEED US," she emphasized, stating that brands require consumer interaction to succeed.
