The 'tyranny of thinness' still dominates fashion

24 Sept 08:32 Key points summarised by AI

Despite claims of inclusivity, fashion runways overwhelmingly feature thin models, with data showing 95.6% of outfits presented were US size 0-4.
Experts term the token inclusion of a few curvy models as 'fat-washing,' a cynical tactic to deflect criticism while preserving the 'tyranny of the thin ideal'.
The industry's entrenched preference for thinness stems from lower production costs for smaller sizes and a historical association of thinness with wealth and aspiration.
Efforts to enforce size diversity face challenges due to varying sizing standards, the higher cost of producing larger sizes, and designers' perception of fashion as a 'fantasy world'.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.