Body diversity returns to London fashion week as wider industry heads ultra-thin

February 22, 2026

TL;DR

London Fashion Week sees a return of body diversity on the catwalks, with emerging designers showcasing a range of body shapes.
This contrasts with a wider industry trend towards promoting ultra-thinness, sparking concerns among experts about size inclusivity.
Designers like Karoline Vitto, Phoebe English, and Sinead Gorey featured models in mid-size (UK 10-16) and plus-size (UK 18+) categories.
Karoline Vitto specifically chose models to reflect her brand's sizing (UK8-UK22) to show how pieces would look on diverse bodies.
Other designers utilized methods like street casting and included non-professional models to promote diversity.
A casting director noted that while emerging designers champion diversity, change is also needed from major fashion houses who set industry standards.
The decline in mid- and plus-size models is linked to a broader normalization of thinness in culture, potentially influenced by factors like GLP-1 drugs.
Designers like Vitto believe inclusivity is not a trend and is being driven by female-led brands who understand body pressures.
Age diversity was also highlighted, with older models appearing on the catwalks.

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