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Clothing industry

The Uncomfortable Truth of Fashion Week: Thinning Models and Disappearing Diversity

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent Vogue Business report has confirmed that 97% of models on the catwalk this season were a size 8, reflecting the industry's obsession with extreme thinness. This has left many within the industry, including seasoned fashion editors, feeling uncomfortable and even haunted. The staging of shows, often featuring dark lighting and models walking in a circle, has been likened to the sight of trafficked women parading their bodies.

Key Takeaways:

  • 97% of models on the catwalk this season were a size 8, as reported by Vogue Business.
  • The average dress size in the UK is 16, highlighting the disparity between the idealized models and the reality of women's body types.
  • Fashion editors, including a 30-year veteran, have expressed discomfort and unease with the extreme thinness of models, likening it to the sight of trafficked women.
  • Vanessa Friedman, a respected fashion critic, has condemned the industry's lack of consideration for the impact of their clothing choices, labeling it "wilfully ignorant" and "damaging".
  • An increasing number of brands have faced backlash for promoting unrealistic beauty standards, including Next, Marks & Spencer, and Zara.
  • The body positivity movement has been criticized for failing to address the systemic issues contributing to body dissatisfaction, instead placing responsibility on individuals.
  • A survey by Vogue Business found that 48% of readers feel pressure to lose weight to feel fashionable, while 13% have used weight loss drugs.

Statistics:

  • 97% of models on the catwalk this season were a size 8.
  • The average dress size in the UK is 16.
  • 48% of Vogue Business readers feel pressure to lose weight to feel fashionable.
  • 13% of Vogue Business readers have used weight loss drugs.

Sources:

"Vogue Business" article: 97% of models on the catwalk this season were a size 8.

Vanessa Friedman, New York Times: "Why Can't Fashion See What It Does To Women?"

Elektra Kotsoni, Deputy Director, Vogue Business: Comments on the prevalence of thin models.

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