Women’s appearances have often come under heavy scrutiny, especially their weight. The ideal body type has changed again and again. But in the wake of the body positivity movement of the 2010s, it seems like super skinny models are more prominent once more.
There’s a lack of diversity being shown in the fashion industry and across social media. According to the Vogue business report for Spring/Summer 2026, there were fewer mid-size and plus-size models on the catwalks in 2025. So what’s behind it, and what could the effects be? Imogen James from the What in the World team gets into the trend.
We also hear from Norwegian model Karoline Bjornelykke, who has experienced working while very thin and being forced into diets, as well as being a curve model.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
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Presenter: Iqra Farooq
Producers: Imogen James and Julia Ross-Roy
Editor: Verity Wilde
