Christian Siriano turned his runway into a powerful platform that touched on social issues. “It’s our only time we get to put our thoughts out there to the world. It’s very visual, so you have to convey these things without speaking. It’s 12 minutes. It has to be powerful,”the designer told press at his show today.

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He’s also fighting back against unrealistic body standards in the industry by having plus-size supermodel, Ashley Graham open his show. Of the decision, Siriano said, “I had to open the show with Ashley Graham to show that a curvy woman could open a show at fashion week. That’s never been done.”

It wasn't just models but actresses too as Selma Blair and “Orange is the New Black” star  the 32-year-old’s latest designs in order to highlight the causes he’s passionate about. “I wanted Selma because she was at the ,” he revealed, sharing that he wanted to celebrate powerful women and that he “needed her” on the runway prove that.

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Siriano has done a lot in his ten-year career to champion both gender and size diversity. From plus-size collections to weighing in on race and gender issues, Siriano shows that the world's of fashion, politics and activism do not have to be mutually exclusive and he uses his platform to draw much needed awareness.