Eli Lilly's sponsorship of Vogue fashion show sparks criticism over weight-loss drugs

Eli Lilly, the American drug maker behind the obesity treatments Mounjara injection and Foundayo pill, appeared as a sponsor for the Vogue World fashion show held in Milan. The collaboration has drawn criticism from health professionals who argue it may convey that achieving thinness is a medical option, potentially appealing to individuals with eating disorders. Charlotte Markey, a psychology professor, and Tom Quinn of the eating-disorder charity Beat both highlighted the risk of associating fashion’s often unrealistic body standards with powerful weight-loss drugs.

Lilly responded that the sponsorship marks its 150th anniversary and is intended to promote conversation about weight as a health issue rather than a purely aesthetic one. The company clarified that the support targets its corporate brand, not any specific product. The debate underscores tensions between the fashion industry’s image culture and the growing market for pharmaceutical weight-loss solutions.