Back Row with Amy Odell The Recession of Size Inclusion in Fashion (with Lauren Chan)
Jan 12, 2026
Lauren Chan, a model, writer, and entrepreneur, delves into the troubling trend of reduced size inclusion in fashion. She recounts a Fashion Week experience highlighting the lack of designer samples for a size-12/14 talent, emphasizing the industry's detrimental impact on visibility and careers for bigger bodies. The conversation explores how AI might affect body diversity, challenges tied to the resurgence of 'straight size' models, and the importance of representation for youth. Lauren champions advocacy and the role of social media in driving change.
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No Samples For Size-14 Talent
- A stylist asked Lauren Chan to lend personal clothes for a cover shoot because the talent was size 12/14 and brands only sent sample sizes.
- Lauren couldn't help and suspects the smaller peers on the cover benefited financially and reputationally as a result.
Modeling As A Career Doorway
- Lauren used plus-size modeling to secure a U.S. visa and pivot into publishing at Conde Nast.
- Modeling gave her industry access despite her disliking the lack of voice and control on set.
Peak Then Dip In Size Inclusion
- Size inclusion peaked around 2018-19 with big collaborations and wider plus-size offerings across mass-market brands.
- COVID and cultural shifts including GLP-1s shrank offerings and reversed momentum into what Lauren calls a 'recession of size inclusion.'