As part of CFDA’s continued efforts to create an industry that reflects the world we live in, we have partnered with Dia & Co. for New York Fashion Week for a joint campaign celebrating the plus-size community. Leading the charge is 2018 Fashion Future Graduate Showcase designer Marissa Petteruti, who is participating in the campaign. A graduate from Parsons School of Design, Petteruti is part of the next generation of the fashion industry that designs with a brighter and more inclusive future in mind. We sat down with the emerging talent to hear how she defines inclusivity, and why this term plays an important part in her work.

What does inclusivity mean to you?

Inclusivity involves everyone – regardless of age, race, gender, nationality, etc. To me as a designer, this means there should be no restriction as to who can wear my clothes. I want everyone to feel comfortable and express themselves freely while wearing my designs.

Why is size inclusivity in fashion important?

Size inclusivity is important in fashion because I don’t believe anyone should be denied the ability to wear clothes they want to wear. Fashion should embrace the fact that no two people are the same.

What inspired the phrase that you chose for your T-Shirt?

My recent work has been inspired by pragmatic philosophy, and more specifically, the work of Richard Rorty. The phrase that I developed for my T-shirt design is inspired by Rorty’s discussion of one’s ability to express their individuality while maintaining a belief in solidarity. I think that in today’s era of uncertainty, clothes have the ability to create equality, inclusivity, and solidarity through appearance.

As a recent graduate, what was your experience with learning to design in an inclusive size range? Were there challenges you faced?

I take inspiration from clothes that everyone is familiar with – jeans, T-Shirts, sweatshirts, etc. – so it feels natural for me to design clothes that fit all different body types. My designs are unisex, so it’s important to me that both male and female bodies can be comfortable wearing them. I enjoy the challenge of creating pieces that everyone can wear. The ability to work with different-sized models has been a really positive experience for me, allowing their individuality to shine when they wear my clothes.

What change do you hope to see in the fashion world, or in design education?

While the fashion world continues to become more and more saturated with designers, I hope to see a greater emphasis on inclusive and sustainable design. I would love to see schools encourage students to eliminate traditional binary design, develop new sustainable methods, and take action so that together, we can help fashion reach its full potential to make a positive impact on the world.