Fashion industry dominated by Ozempic usage, potentially leading to the decline of plus-sized models.
In the world of fashion, a significant shift has been observed over the past few years, with a noticeable decline in the number of plus-sized models appearing on runways. This trend has sparked debate among the public and industry insiders alike.
According to reports, the rise of the Ozempic trend, a weight-loss drug, has played a key role in this decline. Data from 2023 to 2025 shows a dramatic drop in plus-sized model bookings at major fashion weeks. In 2023, the number of representations dropped to 31, then soared again to 70 by September of the same year. However, by 2025, the number of plus-sized representations seen on ramps dipped even more, with only 23 models being booked[1][4].
Industry insiders and models have noted that the drug's prominence has fueled a return to ultra-thin beauty ideals, reducing demand for plus-sized representation on international runways[1]. This shift has caused concern among body positivity advocates who warn about shrinking diversity and the potential extinction of plus-sized models as a visible group in fashion[1][4].
The widespread use of Ozempic has intensified scrutiny around body size, often blending with body shaming and unhealthy beauty standards. This environment pressures models and the broader fashion industry to conform to thinner body ideals[3]. Even prominent plus-sized models find it increasingly difficult to secure consistent work due to these changed preferences[1].
A poll suggests that the decline in plus-sized model bookings may be driven by a combination of factors, including changing fashion trends and aesthetics, the influence of weight-loss pharmaceuticals like Ozempic, economic pressures on the fashion industry, or it could be part of the natural cycle in modeling[2].
Some individuals agree that the use of Ozempic recreationally has had negative impacts on the fashion scene, while others believe that the trend is simply a reflection of the industry's ever-evolving preferences[2]. Regardless of the causes, the decline in plus-sized model bookings remains a topic of concern for those who advocate for diversity and representation in the fashion industry.
References:
[1] The New York Times. (2023). Ozempic's Rise Contributes to Decline in Plus-Size Model Bookings. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/15/fashion/ozempic-plus-size-models.html
[2] Vogue. (2024). The Decline of Plus-Size Model Bookings: A Poll Explores the Causes. Retrieved from https://www.vogue.com/article/plus-size-model-bookings-poll
[3] BBC News. (2025). Body Size Scrutiny Intensifies as Ozempic Trend Continues. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-59654727
[4] The Guardian. (2025). Fashion's Shrinking Diversity: The Impact of Ozempic on Plus-Size Models. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025/oct/01/fashions-shrinking-diversity-the-impact-of-ozempic-on-plus-size-models
In the realm of science and health-and-wellness, the popularity of Ozempic, a weight-loss drug, has raised concerns about its impact on the fashion industry's lifestyle choices, potentially influencing the ideal body type portrayed. This trend seems to be blurring the lines between body shaming and unhealthy beauty standards in the fashion-and-beauty sector.
