At the end of the day, people are people, and the world needs to be more about inclusion.

The element of politics has been evident in several shows at New York Fashion Week (NYFW), and the icing on the cake was by Christian Siriano, who tackled multiple political and social elements with his luscious runway show, held at the prestigious Plaza Hotel‘s glittering opulence.

The show took on a variety of model body types, celebrating both diversity and body positivity. Seeing runway models that welcomed all shapes, sizes and ethnicities was a refreshing change. Siriano is known for his inclusive runways and custom designs for non-sample-sized celebrities, which was a reality rooted sentiment to bring to his runway show.

The collection was inspired by Fire State Park in Nevada‘s Valley, and escape trip for Siriano, and one that evidently struck a chord with his color choices. Fiery reds, burgundy hues, fiery fire shaped accessories, oranges, and sunset pinks were all part of the scintillating collection. The collection had an abundance of the trending rose pink, accentuated with gold sequins, paired with white tops or cinnamon hued accessories, with the palazzo pants and knee high boots being stellar runway favorites.

Blacks, pearls and golds, a staple for evening wear, were accented in sequins, metallics and gold zippers, often monotone, and making for a much needed departure from lace black dresses. Many were laced with immaculate pearl or sequin embroidery. With intricate attention to detail, they gave way to the more redder, orange and crimson tones of fringes, necklines, sheer gowns, puffy sleeves and dramatic cuts.

One overcoat with visibly large jewels was my personal favorite, owing to my penchant for stonework on apparel. Crinkle fabric glittering orange fabrics acted as fringes on body hugging off-shoulder black dresses, as a dramatic bustier on a tea-length dress, and as catchy extensions on monochromatic palazzos and jumpsuits.

The more delicate renditions of pink were satin and silk evening gowns, and one lace and georgette piece that brought an instant Cinderella syndrome to onlookers, especially with the Plaza Hotel backdrop.

Concluding the show with a black t-shirt atop a pink gown stating “People Are People” sent out a clear message, especially with the models sashaying down to the Depeche Mode song for the finale, with timely and impactful lyrics.

With a testament to inclusion, this was a visually stunning and intellectually enlightening showcase.