Canberra has played host to its first-ever plus-size fashion event.

The one-woman show, with support from volunteers, Revel the Runway, ran at Ainslie Arts Centre on 1 March.

Revel the Runway founder Amy Abrahams wanted to promote body inclusivity.

“I got tired of putting my life on hold waiting to be thinner,” she said.

“There were no photos of me with my children and my wardrobe was full of clothes I hoped to fit into someday.

“That frustration turned into a personal challenge—and then a movement to help others break free from those same pressures.”

The sold-out show drew fashion lovers, influencers and industry leaders from across Australia to celebrate diversity, inclusion and body positivity.

Seventeen models from across Australia, ranging from sizes 12 to 24 and ages 9 to 50-plus, took to the runway.

Ms Abrahams said the show had two focuses: Australian then Canberra and NSW designers showcasing lounge, lingerie, workwear, activewear and casual.

She said spectators travelled from Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and the surrounding NSW areas.

Ms Abrahams said this showed there was a space for this type of event.

“I think it proves people are willing to travel to do these (events) – people want it and there’s not a lot of it,” she said.

“I will use this as a platform—the test case proves it worked—and I’ll see who wants to come on board to make it something incredible for Canberra.”

Ms Abrahams said those who attended said the event was wanted and needed.

“The other main part of Revel was, we had a 9-year-old girl go down the runway who has already had body issues,” she said.

“To see a whole runway of people with different bodies, backgrounds and abilities go down the runway and the audience to see that—there was a standing ovation and people crying.”

She said people wanted to see themselves reflected in the fashion.

“It was really critical for me as a part of that, that this felt like a proper runway,” Ms Abrahams said.

She said hosting the event was emotional.

“I had a lot of people who volunteered to help from different places, but as the holder of all the knowledge and a one-woman show effectively, I couldn’t be out the front because I would be too stressed at everything happening behind me,” Ms Abrahams said.

“I haven’t seen the show yet. I have a video of it I need to watch.”

She said the event also supported Canberra region businesses from the people doing hair and makeup to the gift bags, and the drinks available to purchase on the day.

From conception to the models walking the runway, Ms Abrahams said it took her almost a year to put the event together.

She has already started planning for next year’s runway show with hopes to run it across several days.

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