Industry Insiders Express Concern Over Shrinking Plus-Size Representation on Runways
Fashion insiders have sounded the alarm that efforts towards size inclusivity in the fashion industry are being rolled back, citing a recent report by Vogue Business that found just 0.9% of models featured at recent women's wear shows were plus-size.
Out of 9,038 looks presented across 198 shows earlier this month, an astonishing 97.1% were shown on straight-size models who measured between US size 0-4 (the equivalent of a UK 4-8). The disparity highlights the industry's continued shift away from promoting body diversity and towards a more traditional, unattainable beauty standard.
Experts point to the growing influence of weight-loss drugs like GLP-1 as a contributing factor. The widespread use of these medications has led to increased pressure on models to conform to a slender ideal, with some reportedly feeling compelled to lose weight in order to secure more work opportunities.
Anna Shillinglaw, founder of model agency Milk Management, described the industry's decline in plus-size representation as "horrible." She noted that the trend is not just limited to runway shows but also affects high street advertising and brand marketing efforts.
Meanwhile, plus-size models are feeling increasingly tokenized. Felicity Hayward, a writer and model who has fronted campaigns for brands like Mac cosmetics, expressed frustration over the lack of genuine size inclusivity in fashion. "If you're going to be progressive, you need to continue with progression," she said.
Industry-wide, the trend is evident in reduced plus-size sections at high-street retailers like H&M and River Island. The value of the plus-size market in the UK is estimated to be over £4bn but it remains inaccessible to many consumers.
Fashion designer Rick Owens was highlighted as an example of tokenism, having dropped his plus-size model casting from five days a week to none last season.
As the industry continues to grapple with its body image issues, it's essential that designers and brands prioritize genuine size inclusivity over superficial marketing gimmicks. Only by promoting diversity and accessibility can we hope to create a more inclusive fashion landscape for all.
Fashion insiders have sounded the alarm that efforts towards size inclusivity in the fashion industry are being rolled back, citing a recent report by Vogue Business that found just 0.9% of models featured at recent women's wear shows were plus-size.
Out of 9,038 looks presented across 198 shows earlier this month, an astonishing 97.1% were shown on straight-size models who measured between US size 0-4 (the equivalent of a UK 4-8). The disparity highlights the industry's continued shift away from promoting body diversity and towards a more traditional, unattainable beauty standard.
Experts point to the growing influence of weight-loss drugs like GLP-1 as a contributing factor. The widespread use of these medications has led to increased pressure on models to conform to a slender ideal, with some reportedly feeling compelled to lose weight in order to secure more work opportunities.
Anna Shillinglaw, founder of model agency Milk Management, described the industry's decline in plus-size representation as "horrible." She noted that the trend is not just limited to runway shows but also affects high street advertising and brand marketing efforts.
Meanwhile, plus-size models are feeling increasingly tokenized. Felicity Hayward, a writer and model who has fronted campaigns for brands like Mac cosmetics, expressed frustration over the lack of genuine size inclusivity in fashion. "If you're going to be progressive, you need to continue with progression," she said.
Industry-wide, the trend is evident in reduced plus-size sections at high-street retailers like H&M and River Island. The value of the plus-size market in the UK is estimated to be over £4bn but it remains inaccessible to many consumers.
Fashion designer Rick Owens was highlighted as an example of tokenism, having dropped his plus-size model casting from five days a week to none last season.
As the industry continues to grapple with its body image issues, it's essential that designers and brands prioritize genuine size inclusivity over superficial marketing gimmicks. Only by promoting diversity and accessibility can we hope to create a more inclusive fashion landscape for all.
what's next, no diverse hair textures or skin tones either? i get that fashion can't be all about being inclusive, but come on! at least try to acknowledge the plus-size community 
and don't just tokenize them for the sake of a marketing stunt. it's like brands are trying to cash in on the diversity movement without actually doing anything meaningful 
plus-size models being tokenized is literally just a way for brands to say they're inclusive without actually doing anything about it... and now you can just check out h&m or river island and see that their plus-size sections are basically non-existent 
it's so crazy how the industry is still pushing that skinny ideal, i mean what even is the point of having a plus-size section at h&m if you're not gonna showcase more diverse sizes? 
it's all about creating a more inclusive space for everyone, regardless of size or shape. let's focus on promoting diversity and accessibility, not just greenwashing with marketing gimmicks 
and designers r playin it safe with their marketing trying to be inclusive w/ one or two token models & thats just not enough 
its not cool that plus size models are feelin forced 2 lose weight 2 get work like what r we even doin here 
. I mean, I love Rick Owens, but dropping plus-size models from his shows is just not cool, man... that's what I loved about his designs - they were for everyone, not just a select few 
?
. It's like, what even is beauty? Can't they just show some plus-size girls rocking outfits too? I mean, it's not like we're asking for much - just a little more size variety. And don't even get me started on those weight-loss meds 
... I guess that's just the way the fashion world rolls. But still, it feels so unfair to all the plus-size models who are just trying to make a living doing what they love. We need some real change in this industry - more size inclusivity and less tokenism 
I'm telling ya, this is like a full-blown experiment to control our minds! They're slowly chipping away at our self-esteem, forcing us to conform to these unattainable standards of beauty. It's not just about the models on the runway, it's about how we're consuming fashion and advertising as a whole 
It's time to wake up, folks! We need to take a closer look at the fashion industry's true intentions 
.
. It's like, come on guys, we're living in 2025 and we still need to fight for models to walk the catwalk at more than size 0? 
. It's not just runway shows either, the high street is struggling too 
. Fashion should be for all shapes, sizes, and abilities, not just the slim ones 
. It's time to get on board with the plus-size revolution 
!