Christian Siriano – Redefining Fashion through Inclusivity, Art, and Innovation

CHRISTIAN SIRIANO has long been a pioneer of inclusivity, pushing the boundaries of fashion. Siriano’s first steps into the world of artistry were through art. He attended art school in Baltimore, Maryland, US, where he focused on painting and sculpting. Over time, however, his artistic inclinations evolved, leading him to explore fashion design more seriously.

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To refine his skills further, Siriano moved to London, a multicultural art and fashion hub. He enrolled at the American InterContinental University, where he honed his design abilities. During his studies abroad, he interned with two of the fashion industry’s greatest icons: Dame Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, his personal hero and one of the most celebrated British designers of all time. These experiences provided Siriano with invaluable mentorship and shaped his distinct approach to design, blending bold creativity with meticulous craftsmanship. 

In 2008, Siriano launched his eponymous fashion label in New York City and continued to showcase a collection season after season, refining his own vision of an American fashion brand. He quickly became known for his ability to create stunning couture pieces, earning the trust of A-list clients such as First Lady Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, 

Beyonce, Madonna, Celine Dion and Gwyneth Paltrow. His designs, often described as fantastical and sculptural, reflect his enduring love for art.

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While many designers still adhere to traditional norms of size and beauty, Siriano has long advocated for breaking those barriers. His collections have consistently featured size-inclusive designs, starkly contrasting the industry’s slow-moving progress on this front. 

Siriano’s designs are available in various sizes, ensuring that women of all body types can access his creations. His focus is not just on creating beautiful clothing but on ensuring that everyone has the chance to look and feel good in what they wear. For years, department stores ordered his evening gowns primarily in smaller sizes, leaving plus-size women without access to his designs. Determined to change the narrative, Siriano returned retail sales to his Manhattan studio, ensuring that his designs were available in a full range of sizes. This move earned him praise and positioned him as a leader in advocating for body diversity in the fashion industry.

Echoing the house’s inclusive essence, Christian Siriano’s just-past Spring 2025 Ready-To-Wear runway presentation celebrated diversity, featuring models of all shapes and shades.

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Draped in a captivating selection of the house’s Spring 2025 collection, Daphne Groeneveld’s radiant look seamlessly compliments the fantasy dream Christian Siriano crafted within his Spring 2025 collection. Drawing inspiration from vintage folklore like Grimm’s Hansel and Gretel and Rapunzel, Siriano creates a whimsical yet elegant escape.

In his Spring 2025 show, Siriano introduced “Circ,” a new fabric made from recycled Lyocell that mimics the luxurious feel of silk. This nod to sustainability reflects his growing commitment to inclusive, environmentally responsible fashion. As Siriano himself notes, inclusivity and sustainability are closely linked; they both seek to make fashion more accessible and accountable. 

Siriano’s innovative spirit extends beyond the world of fashion design. He has continuously sought new ways to express his creativity, from launching fragrance lines to interior design, launching a studio that channels the same bold, colourful spirit integral in his fashion collections. His commitment to infusing beauty into every aspect of life, whether the clothes we wear or the spaces we inhabit, is a testament to his understanding of the power of design. Additionally, his foray into the world of fine art further demonstrates his desire to break down boundaries across creative disciplines. He has begun exhibiting his individual artwork, expanding his innovative vision and challenging the notion that fashion and art are separate realms. 

The intersection of art and fashion has always been a point of interest for Siriano. As he reflects on the differences between art and design, he emphasises the similarities: both require colour processing, evoke emotion, and come from the same creative intellect of the mind. However, he acknowledges the unique challenges that fashion presents, from the technicalities of fitting to the considerations of how clothing interacts with the body. For Siriano, fashion is a form of sculpting where a flat piece of fabric is transformed into a three-dimensional form that people wear daily. This transformative process excites him, and he wishes the fashion world would embrace the same open interpretation that exists in the art world.

By creating lingerie that enhances a woman’s appearance while ensuring her comfort, Etam empowers women to embrace their best selves. They reject uniformity because true confidence is not about blending in but about recognising one’s strength, femininity, and, above all, identity.

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Siriano’s ability to take risks and break boundaries has led to some of his most celebrated moments. At the 2018 Academy Awards, he dressed a record 17 women, showcasing his commitment to dressing a diverse range of stars. The following year, he created a groundbreaking look for actor Billy Porter at the Oscars: a tuxedo jacket that revealed a strapless, full-skirted velvet gown. The look became the most Googled red-carpet ensemble of the year, solidifying Siriano as a talented designer and deeply attuned to the need for inclusivity in fashion.

Demonstrating his versatility and vision by seemingly moving between different creative worlds – fashion, art, fragrance, and interior design. Siriano’s work transcends fashion, offering a holistic perspective of beauty encompassing the body and our environment.

Christian Siriano’s journey is one of constant innovation and risk-taking. By rejecting the outdated rules of the fashion industry, he has created a space where inclusivity, sustainability, and artistry can coexist. His designs are more than just clothing; they are statements of empowerment, beauty, and possibility.

Celebrating the 15th anniversary of his namesake brand, Siriano’s studio remains a space where beauty and diversity are celebrated and where imagination knows no limits.