Beatriz Cristina Ferraz Lopes Bastos, a 23-year-old Brazilian teacher, died from complications of anorexia on Christmas Eve. Bastos was 5’2” and weighed 77lbs. Bastos is the fourth reported person to die from this disease following a string of models who also succombed to the disease.
While the fashion industry has started to closely examine this problem and try to reverse the damage done, it looks to be coming a little too late for some models and those who look up to them, but hopefully can prevent future deaths. Brazil will now be adopting the same measures that Milan and Madrid have implemented for their models. That is, no one under the age of 16 will be allowed to walk the catwalk and that every model must present a medical certificate deeming them in good health. While it’s a start, it’s a weak start at that.
Without knowing the exact details as to who and how a model is deemed in good health, I would wonder if there will be a more defined definition of what the fashion industry considers “good health” and if there are certain guidelines and criteria that have to be met. That said, would the medical certificate come from the model’s own primary physician or an independently appointed doctor to make this determination? A model could go unnoticed if she is bulimic, but still deemed in good health. I speak from experience, as my sister was bulimic and no one ever knew until a concerned friend approached my parents.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I think Spain’s off to the right start by giving a concrete standard of a minimum BMI of 18. Hopefully the fashion industry will come up with more concrete measures and work together as a collaborative effort that will not vary so much from country to country.