The Ozempic effect? Fashion brands abandon size inclusivity on SS25 runways

The Vogue Business size inclusivity report reveals a worrying trend on the SS25 runways. Out of 8,763 looks presented across New York, London, Milan and Paris, a mere 0.8% were plus-size (US 14+), 4.3% mid-size (US 6-12), while a staggering 94.9% were straight-size (US 0-4). While a few champions of body diversity stand firm, notably Ester Manas (see photo) and Rick Owens in Paris, Bach Mai in New York and Karoline Vitto in London, many designers are reverting to the toxic 'ideal' of ultra-thin.

As the report highlights, "the body positivity movement has lost steam in mainstream culture as the pendulum has swung back to the glamorization of thinness, amid the rising use of Ozempic and the subsequent shrinking of celebrities and influencers." This trend is building pressure far beyond runways and celebs: 31% of Gen Z and 32% of Millennials in the US say simply knowing about GLP-1 drugs makes them feel pressured to lose weight.

💊 With weight-loss drugs like Ozempic becoming more accessible, brands need to ask themselves: do we truly want to abandon body acceptance? Beyond the moral imperative of protecting people's self-image and wellbeing, inclusive representation has the power to boost sales (by up to 16%).