Paris Fashion Week Urged to Embrace Size Inclusivity

Inclusivity has been a prevalent topic in the fashion industry for years now, yet Paris Fashion Week continues to fall short in terms of size inclusivity. The recent Men’s Fashion Week in Paris showcased a lack of diversity in body sizes on the runways, with the predominant model archetype still leaning towards tall and thin figures, often neglecting plus-size representation. As the industry gears up for Women’s Fashion Week in September, there is a growing sense of urgency for Paris to address this issue and align with the evolving demands of today’s consumers.

Despite the global momentum surrounding body inclusivity, Paris Fashion Week seems resistant to change, maintaining a narrow focus on traditional beauty standards. Men’s Fashion Week, in particular, has been criticized for its outdated casting choices that do not reflect the diverse society we live in today. While the inclusion of celebrities like Stefon Diggs and Rema in select shows brings brief diversity, the overall lack of representation remains a glaring issue.

In contrast to Paris, Copenhagen Fashion Week has taken strides towards size diversity, emphasizing a wider range of body types and ages on its runways. The recent Telfar show in New York garnered praise for its inclusive casting, showcasing models of various sizes and ages. This demonstration highlighted the stark difference between European and American fashion platforms in embracing diversity and inclusivity.

Luxury brands in Paris, backed by deep cultural heritage, have maintained a slim silhouette aesthetic without feeling the financial repercussions of excluding diverse body sizes. Reports by Vogue Business on size inclusivity trends reveal a concerning pattern of limited representation on runways. The industry’s shift towards glamorizing thinness and the influence of cultural factors like weight-loss trends have contributed to the stagnation of size inclusivity progress.

Despite external pressures for change, Paris Fashion Week’s exclusivity and adherence to its traditional ideals have shielded it from the urgent need for size inclusivity. The upcoming Women’s Fashion Week in September will serve as a litmus test to see if Paris is willing to adapt to the changing landscape of the fashion industry. The spotlight is on Paris to embrace true size inclusivity and reflect the diverse realities of today’s society, or risk falling further behind in the pursuit of inclusivity and representation.