“Plus-size clothing still needs to be more accessible”: Keia Bounds talks about fashion in ‘Survival of the Thickest’ Season 2

Television and movies are strong tools for encouraging conversations about diversity and inclusion, even in the fashion business. The Netflix series Survival of the Thickest, which focuses on plus-size identities and body acceptance, is one such example.

Though the program supports plus-size clothes, Season 2's costume designer, Keia Bounds, emphasizes that the fashion business as a whole has a lot of work ahead before all body types may enjoy contemporary clothing.

Bounds states:

“I think that, because as we know, it’s hard to find fashionable pieces—especially designer pieces—in plus sizes for curvy women,”

She appears in Harper's Bazaar and Essence, noting that curvy women still struggle to find stylish, high-quality clothing.

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Keia Bounds talks about fashion in ‘Survival of the Thickest’ Season 2

Michelle Buteau plays Black plus-size fashionista Mavis Beaumont in New York City as she negotiates love and life. Reflecting her maturity as a person and her developing career, Mavis's wardrobe moves from quiet monochrome to vivid, vibrant combinations as the show runs on.

Mavis's costumes were authentic and inspirational, thanks in great part to Keia Bounds, the show's costume designer. Working with a range of size-inclusive producers, including both renowned brands and up-and-coming designers, she displayed trendy, extended-size clothing.

Regarding Harper's Bazaar, Bounds's approach for Season 2 is "leveling up" Mavis's style to go with her newly gained confidence and financial independence. She candidly addresses the systemic issues in the fashion industry. She notes that many well-known names have been slow to adapt and adds,

"Plus-size clothing still needs to be more accessible".

As Bounds' experience on Survival of the Thickest reveals, the lack of readily accessible plus-size clothes affects the creative processes on set. She would have to search for outfits at specialized places or maybe create something entirely new for the performance when standard options weren't cutting it.

Bounds stresses the importance of tactile buying experiences by equating in-store shopping, where consumers of plus-large sizes are often told their size is "only available online." She adds,

“It’s hard to believe that in 2025, there is still no excuse for a store not to stock clothing that fits all body types."

Accessibility to plus-size clothes is not a little issue; rather, it is a big economic and cultural one. Many establishments still fail to accommodate this group even if many customers do not fit neatly into the usual size chart.

Bounds is filling this need on Survival of the Thickest, beyond mere pushing of the body acceptance narrative and corporate pressure to honor the many needs of its audience.

Furthermore, the emphasis of the presentation on diversity transcends mere wardrobe decisions. It draws attention to the real challenges plus-size persons have in negotiating the fashion business.

As Mavis's character moves from feeling confined by few options to embracing brilliant, creative outfits, viewers are sent a hopeful message: fashion is for everyone.

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Based on Keia Bounds' observations, the second season of Survival of the Thickest emphasizes the more general issue of plus-size accessibility in the fashion industry. Though the show supports body acceptance by including a range of stylish, size-inclusive clothing, Bounds's narrative emphasizes the still significant challenges.