It is a world of 13-hour days, stressful castings, and strict size expectations. The opportunities are big, but so are the demands.
“She was sitting at the kitchen table, eating raw cauliflower. For dinner.” That was a friend’s reflection on her time sharing an apartment with fellow models in Paris. Stories like this are all too common in the modeling world.
Starting at 21 considered late in the industry meant facing an immediate learning curve. From walking in major fashion shows to working in fittings, showrooms, and campaigns, the pressure to meet the industry’s beauty standard was relentless. Rejections from castings and callbacks were part of the job, but the real challenge lay in maintaining the body type that high fashion demanded.
The industry has long valued extreme thinness. Although blatant size discrimination is less openly discussed, the expectation remains unchanged. At the skinniest point in a career, when bones were visible and a problematic BMI was evident, jobs were more abundant. In one instance, a stylist remarked that someone was “too skinny for the show but perfect for fittings,” encapsulating the unspoken rule thinness is expected, just not overtly encouraged.
Maintaining a certain size remains crucial. Even at a healthy weight, hips became a liability. At a couture fitting, a wedding gown the highlight of the collection wouldn’t fit. It was quickly passed to a younger, narrower model. The irony is that couture is designed for wealthy women, not teenage girls.
Conversations about dieting are commonplace. Models casually discuss meal-skipping and intense workout regimens. A friend once confessed to cutting out sugar, carbs, and junk food while training obsessively for months before fashion week. Bikini photos and body measurements are still required for potential bookings.
In cities like London, casting queues are slightly more diverse in size, but in Paris and Milan, the standard remains rigid. Some agencies still measure models upon arrival, requiring them to wear tight bodysuits that reveal every curve. The industry celebrates body inclusivity publicly, but behind the scenes, the skinny ideal remains dominant.
Despite a push for representation, statistics tell a different story. Plus-size models made up only 0.3% of autumn/winter 2025 runway looks, while 97.7% were classified as “straight-size,” meaning extra-small or size 4. This aligns with what is observed in casting calls.
Beyond the runway, thinness is glamorized in wider culture. Public scrutiny of celebrities’ weight loss, especially through social media, reflects shifting beauty standards. The rise of weight-loss drugs and the return of ultra-thin silhouettes in fashion suggest a move away from inclusivity.
Some models have spoken out about the extreme pressures they face, sharing messages from agents instructing them to eliminate bread, rice, and pasta from their diets. These experiences are not isolated; they represent the reality of the industry. Models continue to be shamed for small fluctuations in size, sometimes sent home from jobs for not meeting strict measurements.
It’s crucial to recognize that the problem lies with the industry, not the models. Most are professional, kind individuals navigating impossible standards. Some agencies have begun prioritizing model welfare, encouraging healthier body weights, but they remain under pressure to meet client demands.
A few brands have taken steps toward greater inclusivity, showcasing a wider range of body types. There are also editors and casting directors who prefer to work with healthier-looking models. But these remain exceptions rather than the norm.
Looking back at the 1990s, when supermodels like Cindy Crawford were considered ideal at a size 10, highlights how far the industry has shifted. Today, finding a size 10 model in a high-fashion casting queue is rare.
Despite these challenges, modeling offers rewarding experiences, friendships, and resilience. But true progress requires more than token representation. A future where couture fits a range of body types would be a meaningful step toward lasting change.
