London Fashion Week Diversity Scandal

Print&Features Editor Sophie Utteridge explores the lack of body diversity in the recent London Fashion Week

Sophie Utteridge

Print&Features Editor

Content Warning: Mentions of eating disorders

Last month, London Fashion Week made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Despite the body positive movement that has been prominent in the last few years, 2023’s London Fashion Week (LFW) revealed once more that thin models remain the “beauty standard” in the eyes of the world’s most notable fashion brands. This is a topic that has been discussed almost relentlessly. Conversations around mental health, eating disorders, and diversity have swirled around the fashion industry in an endless cycle. It seems whenever progress is starting to be made, someone else will revert back to old patterns, triggering a complete regression in any positive growth.

This topic is difficult enough to comment on as it is. Personally, I find discussing the bodies and body types of other people unethical at best. However, it cannot be ignored that the spotlight on fashion designers and models leads to comment no matter what. Since LFW ended, there have been many prominent figures in the fashion industry expressing concern for the models walking year’s LFW, sparking fury as fashion once again seemed to close its doors. the runway. Vanessa Friedman, Fashion Director and Chief Fashion Critic at The New York Times, tweeted her reaction to the “extreme skinniness of many of the models in Jason Wu’s show”. She expressed her shock and severe worry for the health of the models. Later, this descended into a fiery debate around the lack of diverse body types seen at this

I have never taken much notice of LFW before. Highfashion is not something I am terribly interested in. But even I could not ignore the stories of many models, spectators, and workers in the industry who have witnessed some horrific scenes. Equally as frightening is the effect LFW has on others. The event is watched by thousands of people of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds. Seeing someone who looks like yourself on one of the biggest stages in the world is truly an inspiring experience. People look up to their role models, aspire to be like them, and are driven by the prospect of success. When LFW seemingly has regressed us to the age where beauty is standardised, what effect is that going to have on the rest of the world?

Celebrating all body types is valid. A naturally lean person has every right to be celebrated as a naturally curvy person. The worry is when thin becomes scarily thin. When young people are greeted with unsustainable lifestyles, the danger is they attempt to replicate. Negative body image and decreasing self-esteem is a very real and current issue. Social media has caused these to become even more widespread. Events like LFW should be promoting confidence in all bodies. Designers should be using the platform to feature diversity at its finest. Fashion, in any shape and form, should not be exclusive.

Fashion weeks around the world should learn from London’s mistakes. Perhaps this will be the final push needed for the industry to become a friendlier place for all.