“They Think Women Should Weigh 45kg In China”: Chinese Model Unhappy About Being Called Plus-Sized During Fashion Week Auditions

While the fashion world seems to be embracing body diversity these days, not everyone is thrilled about being labelled as “plus-sized”.

Zhao Tongshu, an aspiring model from Gansu, China who recently auditioned for 2025 Fashion Week wasn’t exactly pleased when she was called plus-sized.

In a video posted on IG, Tongshu is seen confidently walking for a panel of three judges while wearing a black two-piece outfit and flaunting her midriff.

One of the judges is social media influencer and model agency boss Carrie Fang, who appeared impressed.

Praising Tongshu for her confident walk and beautiful body, which all three judges agree looks suited for bathing suits, Tongshu responded, “One day I hope can be on the Victoria’s Secret stage”.

The judges looked in awe when Tongshu thunderously revealed that she holds a master’s degree in psychology from King’s College London.

But things took a turn at the end of the clip when Carrie was heard saying “If anyone needs “plus-sized” models, you can consider her”.

She followed up by saying, “The market over in Guangzhou and Shenzhen is really big,” and suggested Tongshu look into it.

According to Tongshu’s Instagram profile, she is 1.74m tall and weighs 68kg.  Does that make her a plus-sized model?

By China’s modelling standards, “plus-sized” usually refers to models over 70kg and wear size 12 and above.

One netizen was seen leaving a comment, in disbelief that Tonshu is considered plus sized.

Tongshu replied that they probably think women should weigh 45kg in China.

However, it seems Tongshu might not be completely opposed to the idea as she seems alright with being labelled curvy and is seen using the word in her captions and hashtags.

Photos: zhao_tongshu/IG