Plus-size model Ashley Graham on her NYFW debut: 'It showed women we haven't forgotten about them'

The brunette star is famous for her curves and she has launched her own lingerie line. She debuted the range during the bi-annual event in September (15) and feels honoured to have represented plus size women on the runway.

"When they told me when they were showing (at New York Fashion Week), I couldn't believe it," she told glamour.com. "While I was getting my hair and make-up done backstage, I was nervous. But right before I went out, I took it all in and told myself this was going to be great.

"Now that it's done, I'm really proud to have shown. It means a lot to me and everyone watching - to me, this is showing women in America that you are included, we haven't forgotten about you."

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Ashley has already broken some boundaries in the industry, becoming the first plus-size model to feature in glossy mag Sports Illustrated. She wasn't the only plus size star to hit the catwalk this Fashion Month either. Candice Huffine, 30, is the face of designer Sophie Theallet's Fall 15 campaign and walked for her this season. It marked a big step for Candice, who previously insisted she would never do runway.

"I couldn't imagine a better debut than for Sophie Theallet," she gushed. "There's no one like her, and I'm beyond proud to be a part of her efforts to celebrate diversity and showcase the beauty of all women. It was an absolute honour to be a part of one of the most diverse runways you'll see."

Diversity has always been a big issue in the world of fashion. Model Naomi Shimada is pleased to see more fuller figures in the spotlight, but wonders why they aren't incorporated more across the spectrum.

"We're finally seeing more curvy bodies at New York Fashion Week and there's no reason why people doing proper (non-lingerie) collections can't do that too," she noted. "Why aren't they? I don't think fashion takes plus-size seriously yet. Nobody wants to be the first to take big steps to make change, so instead we're doing things very slowly - but at least they're trying, something is better than nothing."