Eli Lilly Sponsorship of Vogue World Sparks Eating Disorder Concerns

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly sponsored the fifth Vogue World event in Milan on Tuesday, a partnership that includes a promotional video titled Portrait of Progress on the Vogue website. The collaboration has drawn sharp criticism from academics and eating disorder charities, who argue that associating a manufacturer of weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro and Foundayo with a high-profile fashion event normalizes the medical alteration of bodies for aesthetic reasons.

Critics, including the charity Beat, claim the partnership promotes unrealistic beauty ideals and could be particularly harmful to individuals with eating disorders. While the event featured plus-size models, some advocates dismissed the inclusion as size diversity cosplay. A source from Condé Nast stated the partnership focuses on the overall brand of Eli Lilly rather than specific medications.

Eli Lilly defended the sponsorship as part of its 150th anniversary. The company stated it aims to shift the conversation about weight from aesthetics to health and challenge the stigma faced by people with obesity.