Despite the fashion industry’s growing embrace of body diversity, the term “plus-sized” remains a point of contention — as seen in the recent experience of Zhao Tongshu, an aspiring model from Gansu, China. After auditioning for the 2025 Fashion Week, Tongshu expressed dissatisfaction over being described as plus-sized during the selection process.
In a video posted to Instagram, Tongshu appears confident and poised as she walks for a panel of three judges, wearing a sleek black two-piece outfit that showcased her toned figure. One of the judges, social media influencer and modeling agency head Carrie Fang, appeared visibly impressed.
Carrie complimented Tongshu’s confident walk and her striking figure, noting that her body was ideal for swimwear. The other judges echoed her praise. When Tongshu shared her dream of one day walking the Victoria’s Secret runway, the panel looked both impressed and surprised.
The admiration grew when Tongshu revealed that she holds a master’s degree in psychology from King’s College London — a moment that clearly caught the judges off guard in the best way.
However, the tone shifted toward the end of the clip when Carrie remarked, “If anyone needs plus-sized models, you can consider her.” She went on to suggest that Tongshu explore markets in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, hinting at opportunities for models with curvier frames in those regions.
According to Tongshu’s Instagram, she is 1.74 meters tall and weighs 68 kilograms. This has left many questioning the criteria behind the plus-sized label. In China’s fashion industry, plus-sized models typically weigh over 70kg and wear size 12 or larger.
One commenter expressed disbelief over Tongshu being considered plus-sized, prompting her to reply with a tongue-in-cheek remark: “They probably think women should weigh 45kg in China.”
Interestingly, while Tongshu disagrees with the plus-sized label in this context, she doesn’t seem entirely against embracing her curves. Her social media posts proudly feature terms like “curvy” in both captions and hashtags, hinting at a personal confidence that transcends industry labels.
Tongshu’s runway moment has not only highlighted rigid beauty standards still present in parts of the fashion world, but also sparked broader conversations around size inclusivity, representation, and cultural perceptions of body image in China.
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