Emotional runway: Kmart's Family Day show brings tears to shopper's eyes
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Kmart has always been a beacon of affordable fashion, and their Family Day runway event at the Melbourne Fashion Festival did something extraordinary that moved one woman to tears.
In a world where the fashion industry is often criticised for its narrow standards of beauty, Kmart's runway show stood out as a celebration of diversity and inclusivity in a story that's sure to warm the hearts of many.
The emotional response from one attendee, Claudia Poposki, who found herself overwhelmed with joy, was a testament to the power of representation.
As an average-sized woman, she said she was accustomed to the frustration of being overlooked by fashion brands that typically cater to smaller sizes.
‘It’s rare to see people who look like me on runways around the world as a size 16; despite it being the average size of Aussie women,’ she said.
‘Yet I am routinely let down by brands who simply do not cater to me.’
Claudia explained that this exclusion could be deeply disheartening.
‘We are an afterthought, relegated to buying clothes online because they don’t stock beyond a size 12 or 14 in stores,’ she said.
Grace O'Malley, a podcast host on Plan Bri, shared a relatable story on social media about her struggle to find a dress for the People's Choice Awards.
Her experience of being turned away by stores and feeling a lack of confidence even after finding a dress resonated with many like Claudia who have faced similar challenges.
‘It’s an experience I have had countless times, so now I only shop at brands that show people who look like me,’ she said.
‘But it’s even rarer to see people who look like my friends and the world around me.’
According to Claudia, Kmart's runway show painted a different picture—one where everyone is worthy of fashion and feeling good about themselves.
‘Kmart had a runway cast that featured kids, grandparents, pregnant women, people with different abilities, a woman wearing a hijab, Indigenous Australians, people of all different body types and ethnicities,’ she said.
What made the show even more special for her was that many of the models were Kmart team members and their families, emphasising that these were not professional models, but everyday Australians.
She felt that this approach not only showcased Kmart's clothing in a relatable way but also sent a powerful message about the value of seeing oneself in the media we consume.
The impact of this inclusivity was palpable.
‘It filled my heart with so much joy that it brought me to tears,’ Claudia said.
‘It may seem like such a small thing, but representation is one of the most important things. It creates inclusion and confidence. Most of all, it creates options.’
‘If you’ve been pigeonholed into a certain style because of how you look, you start to believe you can’t take risks. This showed the complete opposite of that.’
Another attendee remarked that it was her favourite aspect of the show, as it allowed her to envision herself in the clothes being presented.
Catherine Wringe, Kmart Australia's womenswear buyer, explained that the diverse runway was no accident.
‘At Kmart, our customers are at the forefront of everything we do, and we are inspired by the diversity of the communities we serve,’ she said.
‘We are passionate about authentically reflecting this diversity in how we show up as a brand to ensure that all customers, regardless of differences like gender, ethnicity, ability or age, can see themselves represented in our brand.’
‘Across the Family Runway presented by Kmart, our products are worn by a diverse cast of Kmart team members, their family, community members, dancers, and street cast models to reflect the communities that Kmart is so proud to be a part of,’ she added.
Last year, Target—now merged with Kmart—also launched its spring and summer collection, and was positively viewed due to its inclusive campaign featuring models of various sizes and cultural backgrounds.
Have you ever felt represented or misrepresented by the fashion industry? What changes would you like to see to make fashion more inclusive? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below.
In a world where the fashion industry is often criticised for its narrow standards of beauty, Kmart's runway show stood out as a celebration of diversity and inclusivity in a story that's sure to warm the hearts of many.
The emotional response from one attendee, Claudia Poposki, who found herself overwhelmed with joy, was a testament to the power of representation.
As an average-sized woman, she said she was accustomed to the frustration of being overlooked by fashion brands that typically cater to smaller sizes.
‘It’s rare to see people who look like me on runways around the world as a size 16; despite it being the average size of Aussie women,’ she said.
‘Yet I am routinely let down by brands who simply do not cater to me.’
Kmart held an inclusive fashion show at the Melbourne Fashion Festival featuring everyday Australians with different body types, ethnicities, and abilities. Credits: Facebook / Kmart Australia
Claudia explained that this exclusion could be deeply disheartening.
‘We are an afterthought, relegated to buying clothes online because they don’t stock beyond a size 12 or 14 in stores,’ she said.
Grace O'Malley, a podcast host on Plan Bri, shared a relatable story on social media about her struggle to find a dress for the People's Choice Awards.
Her experience of being turned away by stores and feeling a lack of confidence even after finding a dress resonated with many like Claudia who have faced similar challenges.
‘It’s an experience I have had countless times, so now I only shop at brands that show people who look like me,’ she said.
‘But it’s even rarer to see people who look like my friends and the world around me.’
According to Claudia, Kmart's runway show painted a different picture—one where everyone is worthy of fashion and feeling good about themselves.
‘Kmart had a runway cast that featured kids, grandparents, pregnant women, people with different abilities, a woman wearing a hijab, Indigenous Australians, people of all different body types and ethnicities,’ she said.
What made the show even more special for her was that many of the models were Kmart team members and their families, emphasising that these were not professional models, but everyday Australians.
She felt that this approach not only showcased Kmart's clothing in a relatable way but also sent a powerful message about the value of seeing oneself in the media we consume.
The impact of this inclusivity was palpable.
‘It filled my heart with so much joy that it brought me to tears,’ Claudia said.
‘It may seem like such a small thing, but representation is one of the most important things. It creates inclusion and confidence. Most of all, it creates options.’
‘If you’ve been pigeonholed into a certain style because of how you look, you start to believe you can’t take risks. This showed the complete opposite of that.’
Another attendee remarked that it was her favourite aspect of the show, as it allowed her to envision herself in the clothes being presented.
Catherine Wringe, Kmart Australia's womenswear buyer, explained that the diverse runway was no accident.
‘At Kmart, our customers are at the forefront of everything we do, and we are inspired by the diversity of the communities we serve,’ she said.
‘We are passionate about authentically reflecting this diversity in how we show up as a brand to ensure that all customers, regardless of differences like gender, ethnicity, ability or age, can see themselves represented in our brand.’
‘Across the Family Runway presented by Kmart, our products are worn by a diverse cast of Kmart team members, their family, community members, dancers, and street cast models to reflect the communities that Kmart is so proud to be a part of,’ she added.
Last year, Target—now merged with Kmart—also launched its spring and summer collection, and was positively viewed due to its inclusive campaign featuring models of various sizes and cultural backgrounds.
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