From the moment punk rock fashion icon Beth Ditto announced plans to design her own plus-size line last December, the news was surrounded by a buzz of excitement. Now available online, the 11 piece collection features a series of vibrantly printed coordinates, a disco-ready lamé jumpsuit and vintage sourced denim jackets. This ambitious project has served as a learning process for Ditto, who continuously stayed true to her vision and resisted compromise every step of the way. “I’ve learned so much throughout the creation of this line,” she said at the Berlin launch yesterday. “And I’ve come to realise that no matter who you are, you’ll never be 100% happy with the results.”
Ditto has never been one to play it safe, in her music career or her personal style. That is why it’s no surprise she upheld this mentality when creating a collection defined by bold designs and distinct silhouettes. In a society that teaches plus-size women to be ashamed of their bodies, the fashion industry imposes rules that force women into hiding their figures with oversized shapes and monochromatic colour schemes. The designer fights against this trend, stating: “Oftentimes, plus-size bodies are either over sexualized or told they must cover up. In reality, it shouldn’t be about looking too big or too small.” Her straight-forward nature is amplified with the addition of equally outspoken models Barbie Ferreria and Philomena Kwao. It’s clear Ditto finds inspiration and empowerment through similarly strong women, citing Missy Elliott’s infamous “trash bag” ensemble in her music video for “The Rain” as a monumental moment for women’s fashion.
‘When you have a woman dressing herself in an outfit that makes her appear even bigger than she is, for me that’s about embracing yourself and being shameless about the space you’re taking up’
‘When fashion worries too much about creating the beautiful woman, it gets boring. I’ve always wanted to look a little crazy’
In addition to creating pieces with out-there designs, Ditto also places a strong emphasis on durability. “Quality fabrics are a rarity in high-street fashion. I wanted to create ensembles that feel good on your skin and won’t fall apart.” The collection is a reflection of this conscious effort, with items designed to withstand trends and time alike.
Beth Ditto’s eponymous collection is available for purchase at bethditto.com
