With the emergence of waif-like models like Twiggy in the 60’s and “heroin chic” bombarding the runways in the 90’s, super skinny is about all we see in fashion these days. Eating disorder activists have spent years targeting the fashion industry for it’s portrayal of emaciated and unhealthy looking women as what fashion is all about. Females young and old, no matter how impressionable they may be, often imitate what they see on the runway. Not to say that all models give young girls an unhealthy body image, but there is something to be said about the connection of skinny models and high fashion. For those of us hoping to see a little more weight on the runway this year, it seems like Spain is taking a step in the right direction. The people behind Madrid’s fashion week have decided to place a ban on overly-thin models at top-level fashion shows. A spokesperson for Madrid’s regional government, who sponsors the shows and imposed the new restrictions, has said that the fashion industry has a responsibility to portray healthy body images. About 30% of the models that participated in last year’s event have been turned away on the grounds that their Body Mass Index (BMI) is too low. An Italian newspaper reported that the mayor of Milan, Italy, Letizia Morratti, might also seek a similar ban on “sick-looking” models at Milan’s fashion shows. While we may see Madrid’s new restrictions as a healthy step, they’ve caused an outrage among modeling agencies. Cathy Gould, the North American Director of Elite modeling agency, believes that the fashion industry should not have to take the blame for illnesses like anorexia. “I think its outrageous, I understand they want to set this tone of healthy, beautiful women, but what about discrimination against the model and what about the freedom of the designer?” Gould also added that the new restrictions could potentially harm the careers of models who are just naturally rail-thin. Who knows if similar restrictions will be imposed in the United States, but in Europe, models might be able to start eating again.
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Super Skinny Models Banned from Madrid's Runways
With the emergence of waif-like models like Twiggy in the 60’s and “heroin chic” bombarding the runways in the 90’s, super skinny is about all we see in fashion these days. Eating disorder activists have spent years targeting the fashion industry for it’s portrayal of emaciated and unhealthy looking women as what fashion is all about. Females young and old, no matter how impressionable they may be, often imitate what they see on the runway. Not to say that all models give young girls an unhealthy body image, but there is something to be said about the connection of skinny models and high fashion. For those of us hoping to see a little more weight on the runway this year, it seems like Spain is taking a step in the right direction. The people behind Madrid’s fashion week have decided to place a ban on overly-thin models at top-level fashion shows. A spokesperson for Madrid’s regional government, who sponsors the shows and imposed the new restrictions, has said that the fashion industry has a responsibility to portray healthy body images. About 30% of the models that participated in last year’s event have been turned away on the grounds that their Body Mass Index (BMI) is too low. An Italian newspaper reported that the mayor of Milan, Italy, Letizia Morratti, might also seek a similar ban on “sick-looking” models at Milan’s fashion shows. While we may see Madrid’s new restrictions as a healthy step, they’ve caused an outrage among modeling agencies. Cathy Gould, the North American Director of Elite modeling agency, believes that the fashion industry should not have to take the blame for illnesses like anorexia. “I think its outrageous, I understand they want to set this tone of healthy, beautiful women, but what about discrimination against the model and what about the freedom of the designer?” Gould also added that the new restrictions could potentially harm the careers of models who are just naturally rail-thin. Who knows if similar restrictions will be imposed in the United States, but in Europe, models might be able to start eating again.
Comments (2)
I agree. i think that ban the overly skinny models is a step in the right direction.
Posted by sarah | January 16, 2008 3:49 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 15:49
umm i dont quite agree 2bh, i think if it was the other way round it would be different, you shouldnt ban the skinny models bcause there skinny its there profession and maybe you should just have a range of different size models but not all skinny ones and there are skinny people who are naturally size 0 2 be fair.
Posted by Kelly | March 7, 2008 5:46 AM
Posted on March 7, 2008 05:46