In the world of high fashion, it seems to matter not if you’re a globally successful model, in a hit TV show feted the world over or have multiple awards tucked under your belt: if you’re not thin, you’re not getting in.

Stars from Christina Hendricks to Leslie Jones, Beyoncé to Octavia Spencer, have previously spoken about the difficulties of getting top designers to consider lending them haute couture for red carpets because they are not – brace yourself – ‘sample size’. That is to say, they’re not of the waif-like proportions seen on catwalks and thus, many labels find it just that bit too hard to cater to anyone else.

However, there are some designers determined to overhaul the industry’s attitude to size and want to be part of that shift. Prabal Gurung is one such designer, yet he reveals that fashion is so resistant to change that insiders have openly mocked his dedication to representing all women.

Gurung, whose lines have gone up to size 22 (UK size 26) since 2009, has recently collaborated with US plus-size label Lane Bryant, and recalls a conversation with an acquaintance who asked him “Why are you designing for fat people?”

Top designer expertly schools woman who asked, “Why are you designing for fat people?”