nbcnews.com
Fashion Industry Regresses on Size Inclusivity
A concerning trend of declining size inclusivity in the fashion industry is causing body shaming of celebrities and a lack of representation for plus-size models on runways, despite prior pushes for body positivity.
- How do broader societal beauty standards and the impact of media contribute to the observed regression in body acceptance?
- This backsliding on body inclusivity connects to broader societal beauty standards and the influence of media. The rise of the "ballet body" ideal in plastic surgery and the continued criticism of celebrities like Ariana Grande for being "too skinny" highlight the persistence of narrow beauty ideals. This contradicts the goals of the body positivity movement, which hasn't demonstrably impacted anti-fat bias.
- What is the current state of size inclusivity in the fashion industry, and what are its immediate consequences for models and celebrities?
- The fashion industry shows a concerning regression in size inclusivity, with runway models predominantly fitting U.S. sizes 0-4 and less than 1% being plus-size, according to Vogue Business. This trend is reflected in celebrity experiences, with actors like Sydney Sweeney and Florence Pugh facing body shaming despite the prior push for inclusivity. Stylist Ariel Tunnell notes a decline in designer options for larger bodies.
- What systemic changes are necessary to create sustainable progress in body acceptance and inclusivity, and what are the obstacles to achieving this goal?
- The future of body image may depend on addressing systemic issues beyond individual messaging. While body positivity campaigns exist, psychologist Renee Engeln argues that true change requires a cultural shift away from toxic attitudes towards women's bodies, requiring sustained effort from individuals and the industry. The lack of progress suggests that superficial inclusivity efforts, like those by Victoria's Secret, are insufficient.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the narrative around a perceived backsliding in body positivity, heavily emphasizing concerns from stylists, actors, and body positivity advocates. The headline or introduction could highlight this negativity, shaping reader interpretation towards a pessimistic view of the current state of body inclusivity. The inclusion of statistics about runway models and the Vogue Business report strengthens this framing.
Language Bias
The article uses charged language such as "alarming trend," "worrying return to thinness," and "toxic attitudes." These terms convey a strong negative sentiment. More neutral alternatives might include: 'shift in fashion trends,' 'increased focus on thin models,' or 'prevailing societal attitudes.' The repeated use of "thin" as the opposite of body positivity reinforces a potentially one-sided view.
Bias by Omission
The analysis focuses heavily on the fashion industry's perspective, neglecting potential economic or societal factors that might contribute to the perceived shift away from body inclusivity. While the opinions of stylists, actors, and body positivity advocates are included, perspectives from fashion designers, marketing executives, or consumers outside of Hollywood are absent. This omission limits a complete understanding of the issue.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic "thinness vs. body positivity" dichotomy. It overlooks the nuance that many individuals may embrace body positivity without rejecting healthy lifestyles or that the idealization of thinness may be multifaceted, with various contributing factors beyond just media representation. The framing implies a binary choice when the reality is more complex.
Gender Bias
The article predominantly focuses on women's bodies and experiences within the fashion and entertainment industries. While men are mentioned briefly in relation to beauty standards, the lack of dedicated exploration of gendered beauty standards in men limits the analysis. The focus on women's experiences, while important, risks reinforcing the idea that body image issues primarily affect women.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a concerning trend in the fashion industry where inclusivity and body acceptance are decreasing. This negatively impacts gender equality as unfair beauty standards disproportionately affect women, leading to body shaming, unrealistic expectations, and mental health issues. The decrease in plus-size models and the resurgence of "thinness" as the norm perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces discriminatory practices within the fashion and entertainment industries.