In a city known for innovation and community pride, Columbus is also making powerful waves in fashion; thanks in large part to Max Dillon, the newly elected Board President of the Columbus Fashion Council (CFC). With Fashion Week Columbus (FWC) as its flagship program and FWCurve emerging as one of its most buzzworthy shows, CFC stands at the intersection of artistry, advocacy, and industry transformation.
And at the center of it all? A former plus size model turned visionary leader whose journey has come full circle.
A Full-Circle Moment, Fueled by Purpose
For Max Dillon, stepping into leadership at CFC is more than a title… it’s a calling. “This is both humbling and energizing,” she shares. “Personally, it feels like a full-circle moment, after years in the fashion industry as a model, producer, and advocate, I now have the privilege of shaping the very ecosystem that gave me my start. Professionally, it means leading with vision and responsibility, ensuring that Fashion Week Columbus and programs like FWCurve continue to grow as spaces where creativity, inclusion, and opportunity thrive.”
Dillon’s presence brings a lived-in understanding of what inclusive fashion truly requires. She’s worn the clothes, walked the runways, sat in the production meetings, and pushed boundaries long before she held a gavel.
Leadership Rooted in Lived Experience
Dillon’s multifaceted background, from plus size fit model to outspoken advocate, directly informs her approach to leadership. “Wearing all those different hats has just made me more aware of people’s experiences,” she explains. “As a model, I know firsthand what it feels like to be overlooked. As an advocate, I’ve spoken up for change when it wasn’t easy. And as a visionary, I’ve always pushed to create something that didn’t exist yet.”
Her goal is clear: to create spaces where every person, regardless of size, background, or ability, feels seen, heard, and celebrated. That ethos now guides not only Fashion Week Columbus, but the ever-evolving programming under the CFC umbrella.
A Fresh Chapter for Fashion Week Columbus
As the new president, Dillon brings more than energy… she brings intention.
“I’m focused on expanding impact beyond the runway,” she says. “That means building deeper partnerships with brands and institutions, amplifying educational opportunities through scholarships and mentorship, and positioning Columbus as a true fashion capital in the Midwest.”
With 16 years of history and over 220 designers featured, Fashion Week Columbus is already a regional powerhouse. Under Dillon’s leadership, the aim is to transform it into a year-round incubator for creativity, commerce, and community.
Elevating FWCurve as a Cultural Pillar
Now entering its third year, FWCurve has emerged as one of the most anticipated events during Fashion Week Columbus. While last year’s show featured seven designers, this year Dillon has narrowed the focus to five standout visionaries, all committed to size-inclusive fashion done right:
- Bea Heidman (The Bea Hive): Red carpet–inspired plus size glamour
- Evelyn Smith (E. Denise): Designs that honor apple and pear body shapes
- Amber Hall (Amber Nicole Customs): Handmade looks for curvy women and men
- Valerie Mayen (Yellowcake Shop): Project Runway alum celebrating all bodies
- Sofi Mitil (The Sopi Mitil Co.): Petite plus size fashion for women under 5’5″
But FWCurve is more than a lineup… it’s a movement. “We’ve seen a concerning shift in the plus size industry lately, with fewer plus size models being represented in media,” Dillon says. “That makes it even more critical to keep showing Plus on our runways.”
Max Dillon’s vision is bold: to turn FWCurve into a national platform that not only highlights local talent but also attracts big-name designers, brands, and media. “The more visibility we create around FWCurve, the more the program can continue to expand and grow,” she says.
Shifting the Narrative, Not Just the Size Chart
For Dillon, the future of fashion doesn’t silo plus size from the rest, it integrates it. “It’s about shifting from tokenism to integration,” Max Dillon says. “The future runway reflects real diversity in body types, abilities, and identities.”
That future is already taking shape at Columbus Fashion Council, where everything from casting to programming reflects a values-first approach. Venues are chosen with accessibility in mind. Seating is designed to be supportive. And models across the size spectrum are cast to reflect the people actually wearing the clothes.
“Representation isn’t just about who you see on the runway, it’s about the whole experience,” she adds.
Building a Legacy of Visibility and Value
What’s still missing in the industry, according to Dillon, is consistency, a problem FWCurve is uniquely built to solve. “We see bursts of plus size representation, but not enough sustained visibility across seasons and runways,” she says. “FWCurve changes that by guaranteeing space every year during our flagship event. It’s not an afterthought, it’s a main stage.”
Looking ahead, Dillon wants to ensure FWCurve becomes a “permanent pillar” in the fashion world, a platform where plus size models and designers know they’ll always have a place. For Fashion Week Columbus overall, her vision includes more scholarships, more career pipelines, and a more inclusive creative economy in Central Ohio.
Creating a Community, Not Just a Moment
As this year’s Fashion Week Columbus approaches, running September 14–21, 2025, the themes are clear: celebration, culture, empowerment. “Fashion is art, but it’s also community,” Dillon says. “Designers this season are telling stories of identity and sustainability, through collections that represent the people watching.. and wearing them.”
And while 2025 shines a spotlight on emerging regional designers, there’s already buzz about what’s next. “We’ve started having promising conversations for 2026 with national brands,” Dillon reveals. “That momentum shows the industry is watching.”
A Call to Action
To those watching her journey, especially emerging plus size designers or aspiring models, Max Dillon offers a message of encouragement and empowerment: “Stay authentic, and don’t wait for permission. Your perspective is your strength.”
Her advice is clear: build community, align with your values, and know that every rejection is just a step closer to the right opportunity.
As for how the fashion community can support this next chapter? “Show up,” she says. “Invest in local designers, sponsor scholarships, attend events, and share the stories we’re telling. Whether you’re a designer, a model, a sponsor, or simply a supporter, there’s space for you in this movement.”
And thanks to Max Dillon, that movement has a visionary leader, and an open runway, leading the way forward.
