In today’s head-scratching “WTF” news, “SNL” star Leslie Jones experienced problems trying to secure an outfit to the upcoming premiere of “Ghostbusters.” That’s right — the star of one of summer’s most anticipated films couldn’t convince designers to work with her.
“It’s so funny that designers don’t want to dress me,” Jones tweeted on Tuesday. “Hmmm that will change and I remember everything,” she warned. We’re pleased to see that Jones isn’t internalizing the rejection — hell, she’s already planning her sweet revenge when “Ghostbusters” dominates the box-office.
Christian Siriano, an American designer who rose to prominence after winning Season 4 of “Project Runway,” responded to Jones’ post. He sent heremojis suggesting a raised hand. Siriano later confirmed with TIME that he’ll work his magic and make a dress for her. (However, roughly an hour before this post was written Siriano cautioned that “Nothing is confirmed until she makes her choice.” He clarified, “We are meeting and I’d love to dress her.”)
The designer, whose A-list clients include Emily Blunt, Sarah Jessica Parker, Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”), Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and singer Solange Knowles, summed up the shit show best: “It shouldn’t be exceptional to work with brilliant people just because they’re not sample size. Congrats aren’t in order, a change is.” Amen. Leslie Jones doesn’t look like a typical runway model — but so what? Designers are more than capable of making customized dresses and outfits, and why wouldn’t they choose to have their creation highlighted at a huge premiere and worn by an actress on the brink of even bigger stardom?
Jones’ costar, Melissa McCarthy, has also faced discrimination from designers. The box-office queen was rejected by top designers when she was nominated for an Oscar in 2012.
Thankfully Siriano gets it. He told TIME, “I love Leslie and can’t wait to make her something fabulous to wear. I dress and support women of all ages and sizes.” Given the current cultural climate, it’s foolish not to. The tides are changing. People take notice when designers refuse to cater to a clientele that isn’t very thin. This shouldn’t register as news: there are average sized women who like fashion, too. And fat women. Sample sizes aren’t written in stone, so why treat them as such? Customized dresses are super common in Hollywood, and modifications can be made. Fashion designers are artists with bold imaginations: it’s time to start exercising that creativity and individuality and looking outside the box.
Consider the amount of attention Salvador Perez, the award-winning costume designer for “The Mindy Project,” has received. Kaling’s outfits on the show are the source of constant discussion among fans, and the two just teamed up for a runway fashion show at the Grove in LA. Kaling and Perez never make Mindy fade into the background. They highlight her body rather than concealing it, drawing attention to her curves in bold, bright colors.
It’s not just women who fit into a restrictive sample size who want — and deserve — to be seen.
“Ghostbusters” hits theaters July 15. We’re looking forward to seeing what Jones rocks on the red carpet.
