Fashion runs deeper than looking pretty. Fashion is a statement, a way to make a difference and express emotions.

New York Fashion Week 2015 leapt into shows of diversity and acceptance by including models beyond one body type, ethnicity or background.

Madeline Stuart owned the runway as the first model with down syndrome. She made her debut wearing FTL Moda and designer Hendrik Vermeulen’s joint line.

Her looks included an ocean-themed blue and silver face mask. The Australian model’s dream came true when she made it to the New York Fashion Week runway, but she isn’t planning on stopping there. Her sights are set on modeling for companies like Forever 21 and Gucci.

Fashion Week has not been known to include many body variations. Runway models are often notorious for dangerously thin frames. Designer Ashley Graham released a plus-size lingerie line that was more than memorable. She sent out some of its sexiest pieces to showcase the women’s bodies.

Another designer who mixed up body types was Chromat. It not only sent out plus-size models, but a mix of different body types. It’s rare to see such a mix of thin to curvy to plus-size all in one line, and this was long overdue.

Ethnicity has been the missing puzzle piece to Fashion Weeks every where but is slowly improving. This year witnessed a huge leap in diversity. Lines included models of all skin colors, and even better, their natural appearances.

Tommy Hilfiger, Rosie Assoulin and many other designers included African, African-American and Latina models with their natural hair. Ethnic models are often included but their appearances are drastically changed from their natural attributes. Seeing more culturally diverse hair is an essential addition to diversity in fashion.

Zac Posen presented the most diverse model lineup. He featured a group of models in which more than half were ethnically diverse and displayed his ready-to-wear line of deep red formal gowns.

With the increased acceptance of the LGBT community, the first all-transgender line was released as something to remember. Gogo Graham is a transgender designer who showed her line exclusively on other transgender women.

Not only did Graham bring transgender women into the world of fashion, she also hired women of different body types and races. She empowered these women to show their personalities and not just be a body on the runway.

Graham designed a beautiful fashion line and made a difference by showing how transgender women are the same as other women.

New York Fashion Week 2015 helped fill in the gaps of what the fashion world has been missing: diversity, acceptance and fashion created for everyone.