In today’s world of fashion, the push for inclusion of all sizes and shapes on the runway has been a difficult road to travel, but there has been some progress made over the years. However, a Chattanooga, Tennessee resident and fashion designer C. Denim decided to make their contribution to this fight through the first “Size Doesn’t Matter Fashion Show.” Rickeisha Powell, mother of model Kennedi Powell, wanted to create an opportunity for both her daughter and other models to be able to feel as fabulous as a famous supermodel and to encourage them to feel comfortable in their own skin. When Kennedi was about 4 years old, Powell says “people kept telling me she’s too young, she’s too little [to model] but I’m like size doesn’t matter. They have Baby Gap, Carter Kids…[but people said] you should let her grow up [and] let her be a kid. But [I say] she’s just a kid model.”

Powell says the idea for the fashion show came to her in December 2018 as she wanted her daughter, Kennedi to create a platform in which she and others like her could model. She says that a “model is a model no matter what” regardless of size, height, or age. After a photo shoot, she decided to collaborate with C. Denim, and the pair began search for venues in January 2019. An ongoing casting call began at the beginning of February. Many of the included models were from Atlanta and as such, one rehearsal was held there and two were held in Chattanooga.

Powell’s dream came to life when her “Size Doesn’t Matter Fashion Show came to life in mid-April with about 50 children, teen, and adult models who ripped the runway! One of the featured lines in the show was created by 8-year-old actor, model, and fashion designer Dale Cordice, Jr. called “Different is the New Cool.” The line features sweatsuits, t-shirts, and baseball caps. Other featured designers were Powell’s collaborator, C. Denim, whose line featured styles for kids through adults, LinToi Bailey’s S.T.R.U.T. women’s ready to wear custom fashion line, as well as designs by Trendz and Treasurz.

According To Lariah’s Executive Media Correspondent, Lariah Alexandria, always asks all of her interviewees what their dreams are and of course, this interview was no different. Powell told Lariah that her dream is to be able to travel at the drop of a hat preferably to any place that has white sand, blue water, and green palm trees!

Make sure you visit the show’s Instagram page, @sizedoesntmatter2, for all details about the July 27th “Size Doesn’t Matter” powershoot in Atlanta as well as the birthday celebration with a fashion show for Kennedi in Chattanooga, Tennessee to take place the weekend of October 18th!