United States - Ekhbary News Agency
The recently concluded Fall/Winter 2023 fashion weeks across New York, London, Milan, and Paris have revealed a concerning trend: a notable scarcity of plus-size models on the runways. This marks a stark contrast to the incremental progress seen in recent seasons towards greater body diversity. The rollback has drawn sharp criticism from fashion commentators and diversity advocates alike, particularly as it coincides with the burgeoning popularity of injectable weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, which have become a widely discussed phenomenon in celebrity circles.
Industry data underscores this regression. According to fashion search engine Tagwalk, the number of mid and plus-size models dropped by 24% compared to the Spring/Summer 2023 season. A Vogue Business report further highlighted that 95.6% of all looks presented for Fall/Winter 2023 were in sizes US 0-4. This is in sharp contrast to the reality of the average American woman, who wears a size US 14 or above. IMG model agent Mina White described the situation as a "definitive backslide," expressing frustration that designers who previously embraced curvier models are now omitting them, despite their market influence.
