Has Paris Fashion Given Up on Size Inclusivity Altogether?

Why does the glamorous world of high fashion continue to ignore most body types? The numbers tell a sad story about body diversity in the fashion industry. Only 0.3% of looks at recent fashion shows featured plus-size models. This tiny percentage reveals how little fashion representation has changed. While many brands talk about being inclusive, the runways in Paris still mostly show clothes on very thin models.

Fashion's relationship with diverse bodies remains purely theoretical while runways showcase a singular, unrealistic ideal.

The problem isn't getting better. In fact, plus-size model bookings have dropped compared to previous seasons. Autumn/Winter 2025 menswear showed slight improvements in size inclusivity, though these changes remain minimal. Almost 95% of all looks at major fashion weeks are straight-size (US sizes 0-4). Mid-size models make up less than 5% of runway appearances. These statistics show a fashion world that maintains their idea of beauty.

Fashion campaigns and magazines follow the same pattern. Plus-size models rarely appear in glossy magazines, and when they do, it's often treated as something unusual or special.

Consumers are noticing this disconnect. Many shoppers feel left out when they don't see bodies like theirs on runways or in ads. Studies show that people become more loyal to brands that show diverse bodies. Younger customers especially want to support companies that value inclusion.

Fashion brands often blame costs or tradition for not expanding sizes. They say making different patterns costs more money or disrupts their usual ways of working. But some newer brands are proving that inclusive sizing can be both possible and profitable.

The problem exists beyond Paris. New York, London, and Milan show similar patterns of exclusion. Milan Fashion Week followed the norm with no plus-size models appearing in any shows. But digital-first brands and social media influencers are starting to change the conversation.

French fashion houses still show little interest in widening their size ranges, according to industry watchers. While brands in other countries have taken steps to include larger sizes in their collections and runway shows, Parisian labels continue to resist this change.