By British Vogue’s editorial director, Chioma Nnadi, voiced concern Wednesday over the fashion industry’s apparent return to ultra-thin models, linking the trend to the rising popularity of anti-obesity drugs.
“We’re in a moment where we’re seeing a shift back to skinny being ‘in’—often treated as a trend, and it’s not something we want to be,” Nnadi told the BBC. “We should all be concerned; I certainly am, and I know many of my colleagues feel the same way.”
Nnadi, who took over as editor of British Vogue in October 2023, pointed to Ozempic, a diabetes medication now widely used for weight loss, as a factor behind the resurgence of the thin ideal. “We’re seeing a lot of celebrities using it, and there’s this shift in how we view and approach our bodies,” she noted.
Under her leadership, Nnadi says British Vogue is striving to represent diverse body types. She emphasized the ongoing challenges, citing the prevalence of “especially thin” models on runways, despite some brands’ efforts to include a range of sizes.
“At Vogue, we can’t change this alone,” Nnadi added, highlighting that designers often produce sample-size clothing, which reinforces narrow standards of body size.
