‘A 360 turn’: concern as fashion shows feature fewer plus-size models

Industry insiders sound the alarm that efforts towards size inclusivity have been rolled back in recent fashion shows, leaving many to wonder if a '360 turn' has occurred.

According to a report by Vogue Business, out of 9,038 looks presented across 198 women'swear collections earlier this month, an astonishing 97.1% were shown on straight-size models who measured between a US size 0-4 (the equivalent of a UK 4-8). Meanwhile, only 0.9% of models were plus-size, while 2% fell into the mid-size category.

Experts say that this decline in representation is largely due to the widespread use of GLP-1 weight loss drugs among celebrities and thinness now being normalized beyond the catwalks. Susie Orbach, a psychotherapist and writer, describes this trend as "the latest commercialization of the body," where manufacturers are creating bodies as if they're products rather than living beings.

The demand for body modification procedures like "Barbie waist" surgery is also on the rise, with many people opting for procedures to reduce their size. Orbach points to reality TV shows like The Kardashians, which promote an unrealistic beauty standard that's now being mass-produced.

While there has been a slight shift towards more inclusive casting in recent years, the trend seems to have reversed itself recently. In 2023, British Vogue featured plus-size models Paloma Elsesser, Precious Lee, and Jill Kortleve on its cover, describing them as "the new Supers." However, this season, only one of these models walked in the shows.

Felicity Hayward, a plus-size model and writer, says she's concerned that plus-size models are being used as tokenism to make headlines. "If you're going to be progressive, you need to continue with progression," she emphasizes.

The decline in size inclusivity has also taken its toll on brands like H&M and River Island, which have removed dedicated plus-size sections from their stores. In fact, some brands are now only offering plus-size ranges online.

As the industry swings back towards skinny, it's having a knock-on effect on consumers. The UK Advertising Standards Authority is urging advertisers to avoid using "irresponsible" images of unhealthily thin-looking models in ads.

Wow! I'm so done with this cycle of body shaming and sizeism. It's like, we're supposed to be living in a world where everyone deserves to feel beautiful and confident in their own skin, but instead we're still being bombarded with unrealistic beauty standards that are literally killing people .

I mean, come on! We've made progress in the past few years with more inclusive casting and all that, but now it feels like we've taken a step back. It's not just about plus-size models, either - it's about how our entire society is perpetuating this toxic idea that thinness is the ultimate goal.

And don't even get me started on the "Barbie waist" surgery trend . Like, what's next? Surgery to make your eyes bigger? It's just so... messed up. We need to stop fetishizing our bodies and start treating ourselves with respect and care instead of trying to change who we are to fit some arbitrary beauty standard.

Interesting how the industry is now only offering plus-size ranges online, though . Maybe that's a good starting point? At least people can choose their own level of inclusivity? But overall, I'm just so over this body shaming nonsense and I think we need to do better than this

this is so worrisome : fashion shows are ditching size inclusivity and now only showing straight-size models . it's like, we thought we were making progress with plus-size models on the catwalks , but it seems like thinness is still being pushed as the norm . this isn't just about aesthetics, it's also a matter of representation and how our bodies are perceived .

i drew a little diagram to illustrate the issue:
```
+-----------------+
| Fashion Shows |
| Straight-size |
| Only?! |
+-----------------+
|
| Inclusivity
| Declining
|
v
+-----------------+
| Celebrity Culture |
| GLP-1 Weight Loss |
| and Unrealistic |
| Beauty Standards |
+-----------------+
```
fashion brands like H&M and River Island have removed plus-size sections from their stores, and now only offer online . it's time for the industry to rethink its approach and prioritize diversity and body positivity .

this is super worrying... all these shows are just perpetuating the same old standards and now it's like we're taking a step back plus-size reps were supposed to be the new norm, but it looks like that's not happening anymore what's going on with the celebrities and their weight loss meds? they're making everyone feel bad about themselves... just got an ad for a fashion brand and the model looked so thin it was like she had a wire hanger in her waist what's next? are we gonna start seeing ads for " skinny" jeans too?

omg this is soooo sad!!! i mean who gets to decide what size is "normal"? it's literally not fair how hard it is for plus-size models to get a foot in the door and now they're being tokenized lol what even is that? anyway, i think the whole thing is just so messed up... the industry should be all about inclusivity, you know? like, why can't we see ourselves on the runway or on billboards?! it's time to take a 360 turn and get our act together

ugh, it's like, we've taken two steps forward and one step back with size inclusivity . I mean, I'm all for diversity on the catwalk, but this latest trend is just so disappointing . It feels like the industry is still playing catch-up when it comes to representation. And let's be real, the whole "Barbie waist" surgery thing? No thanks . We need to focus on promoting self-acceptance and body positivity, not trying to fit into some unrealistic beauty standard. The rise of plus-size models in 2023 was a game-changer, but now it feels like we're going back to the old days . Brands are starting to take away their plus-size sections from stores... it's just not right . We need to keep pushing for change and make sure that size inclusivity is more than just a trend .

I feel so sad for all those plus size folks who are constantly being bombarded with unrealistic beauty standards . It's like, we're living in a world where fashion is supposed to be inclusive, but the reality is far from it . I mean, can't we just accept and love ourselves for who we are? It's not about being thin or plus size, it's about feeling confident and beautiful in our own skin .

I'm also a bit worried about the impact this has on people's mental health . All those celebrities promoting weight loss and "Barbie waist" surgery is just a recipe for disaster . We need to stop normalizing thinness and start embracing diversity in all its forms . And to the brands that are still pushing size inclusivity, thank you so much for being part of the solution !

I'm so done with this body shaming cycle . It's like we've taken a step back into the 90s, where being thin was the ultimate beauty standard. I mean, what's next? Are we gonna start selling plus-size models as 'token' inclusivity measures just to placate social media outrage? I think brands like H&M and River Island are trying to make some headway by keeping their plus-size sections online, but it's not enough. We need to see REAL representation on the runway and in our stores.

I'm also super concerned about the rise of weight loss drugs among celebrities. It's like they're perpetuating this toxic beauty myth that being thin is desirable. And don't even get me started on "Barbie waist" surgery . As a society, we need to be more critical of the beauty standards we're promoting and the industry that's profiting off our insecurities.

The UK Advertising Standards Authority is right to crack down on irresponsible ads featuring unhealthily thin models . We need to hold brands accountable for perpetuating negative body image and instead promote a more inclusive, diverse definition of beauty .

this is so not cool, fashion brands are supposed to be promoting size inclusivity but instead they're rolling back and it's like they're sending the wrong message . if you show only skinny models on the runway, what does that say about the value of plus-size people? i feel like we're still in that old era where thin is beautiful, when did this change? celebrities should be setting a better example with their weight loss meds and all that . anyway, it's getting to the point where ppl are considering surgery just to fit into these unrealistic standards . can't they see how damaging this is?

Ugh, I'm so sad ... remember when fashion was all about self-expression and individuality? Nowadays it's like they're trying to fit everyone into this narrow mold of what's considered 'perfect'. And don't even get me started on the rise of "Barbie waist" surgery . It's crazy how the demand for weight loss is becoming so normalized, especially with all these celebs taking those GLP-1 drugs . I mean, didn't we already learn from the likes of Supermodel Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss back in the 90s? Why do we need to be reminded that thin isn't always healthy? And it's not just about the models on the runway, but also the pressure on consumers to conform... I hope brands like H&M and River Island realize they're losing out on a bigger market by removing plus-size sections from their stores . Maybe we need to go back to that '90s vibe of androgynous styles and embracing all shapes and sizes?

It's wild how our perception of beauty can be so easily manipulated by the media . I mean, think about it... we're living in a world where celebs are being given GLP-1 weight loss drugs and then we're expected to look up to them as role models? It's like we're being sold this unrealistic idea that if we can just lose a few pounds, we'll be happy. But at what cost?

And it's not just about the celebs themselves, it's about how they're influencing our culture as a whole. Reality TV shows and social media are creating this never-ending cycle of consumerism where people are buying into these unattainable beauty standards. It's like we're all just trying to keep up with the Joneses, even if that means sacrificing our own self-worth .

I'm not sure what the solution is, but I do know that we need to start questioning these norms and challenging them in a more meaningful way. We can't just sit back and watch as our industry becomes a slave to the commercialization of beauty . We need to create a new narrative, one that values diversity and inclusivity over profit .

my heart just broke for all the plus-size girls out there... its like they're still invisible to the fashion world , and now its not even just about being tokenistic anymore, but also about looking healthy and "thin" . i mean whats next? are we gonna see a rise in the use of weight loss meds on runways too? thats just messed up . we need to get back to promoting all sizes and shapes as beautiful and unique, not trying to conform to some unrealistic standard

omg u wont believe what just happened in the fashion world they just rolled back all those efforts to make sizes more inclusive and now its like a total 180 turn everything was going in that direction but now its like no one cares about plus size people and its not just the models its the brands too like h&m and river island just removed their plus size sections from stores and now ppl are being told to only shop online if they wanna see more diverse sizes it feels like we took a step back in terms of body positivity and acceptance

This is insane ... like, we're already living in a world where people are obsessed with weight loss and body modification procedures, but the fashion industry is now promoting this toxic standard of beauty? It's like they're saying that only certain bodies are worthy of attention, and the rest are just products to be sold .

And can we talk about how ridiculous it is that brands are removing plus-size sections from their stores? Like, what even is the point of calling yourself an inclusive brand if you don't have a section for people with curves? It's not like it's going to hurt anyone to offer more size options.

And those celebs who are taking weight loss drugs and promoting this thinness ideal on reality TV shows... like, they're the ones who are perpetuating this problem. We need them to be role models for all people, regardless of their body type .

It's time for the fashion industry to step up its game and promote real beauty standards . We deserve more than just token plus-size models on the cover of magazines... we deserve to see diverse bodies strutting down the catwalks !

I'm low-key disappointed ... I mean, what's the point of including plus-size models if they're just gonna be tokenistic? I think it's time for the industry to take a step back and reevaluate their approach to size inclusivity. All that effort to make fashion more diverse was just taken away ... now we're back to the same old thing: straight-size models strutting down the catwalk, while plus-size folks are left on the sidelines ... I'm not buying it ... or should I say, I'm not wearing those 'skinny jeans' anymore . Seriously though, what's next? The rise of "Barbie waist" surgery is concerning ... let's focus on promoting body positivity and self-love instead of trying to change our bodies to fit an unrealistic beauty standard ... we're already perfect just the way we are [https://www.voguebusiness.com/2025/02/size-inclusivity-fails-to-matter-in-fashion].

I'm not surprised the fashion world is going back to its old ways... it takes a village (or 9,038 models) to realize that being fat isn't so bad after all . And let's be real, who doesn't love a good 'Barbie waist' surgery? But seriously, it's like the industry has learned nothing from the past... those reality TV shows are literally creating a generation of people with unrealistic expectations about their bodies . And now we're seeing brands removing plus-size sections because they can't compete with the 'cool kids'... meanwhile, H&M and River Island are basically saying "we don't want to sell to fat people"... what's next?

Ugh, I'm so disappointed ... it looks like we're taking steps backward when it comes to size inclusivity. I mean, can't we just move forward and be more accepting? The fashion industry is supposed to be about self-expression, not perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards. It's crazy that the demand for body modification procedures is on the rise too - it's just a sign of how messed up our society has become .

I remember when British Vogue featured plus-size models on their cover and it was a big deal ... now it seems like they're being used as tokenism to make headlines. It's not enough, we need real change . And what's with brands removing plus-size sections from their stores? Are we just supposed to be invisible? The UK Advertising Standards Authority is right on this one - we can't keep using those super skinny models in ads and expect people not to get the wrong message.

We need to do better ... it's time for a 360 turn, but in the opposite direction. We should be promoting body positivity, self-love, and acceptance. Anything less is just a cop-out .

omg u guys can u believe this?? fashion shows are literally rolling back size inclusivity like what's the point of even having plus-size sections online if they're just gonna be a token gesture? and don't even get me started on these glp-1 weight loss drugs... it's like the whole industry is just perpetuating this toxic culture of thinness. i mean, who needs surgery to look like barbie when u can just focus on body positivity? anyway, felicity hayward said it best "if ur gonna be progressive, ur gotta keep progressing"