An interesting twist...fashion show bans too skinny models

[boilermaker]

I saw this story on CNN and thought it was quite interesting. I personally applaud the idea that they are trying to keep things "real" but without any notice, I can see how the designers could have a serious problem with refitting all their clothes.

Skinny models banned from fashion show (http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09/13/spain.models/index.html)

The first part of the article...
MADRID, Spain (Reuters) -- The world's first ban on overly thin models at a top-level fashion show in Madrid has caused outrage among modeling agencies and raised the prospect of restrictions at other venues.

Madrid's fashion week has turned away underweight models after protests that girls and young women were trying to copy their rail-thin looks and developing eating disorders.

Organizers say they want to project an image of beauty and health, rather than a waif-like, or heroin chic look.

But Cathy Gould, of New York's Elite modeling agency, said the fashion industry was being used as a scapegoat for illnesses like anorexia and bulimia.

"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," said Gould, Elite's North America director, adding that the move could harm careers of naturally "gazelle-like" models.

Madrid's regional government, which sponsors the show and imposed restrictions, said it did not blame designers and models for anorexia. It said the fashion industry had a responsibility to portray healthy body images.

"Fashion is a mirror and many teenagers imitate what they see on the catwalk," said regional official Concha Guerra.

The mayor of Milan, Italy, Letizia Moratti, told an Italian newspaper this week she would seek a similar ban for her city's show unless it could find a solution to "sick" looking models.

[wander_woman]

I applaud the idea, in theory, but I don't know that it's really going to make much of a difference in practice. The top models will continue to be the super itty bitty ones. I don't see that changing any time soon. But I do think this is an interesting way of trying to deal with the issue. I applaud the Madrid organizers for trying. I'm curious to see if this takes off elsewhere.

BTW, I don't think anybody is naturally as "gazelle-like" as these models. Sure, some people are naturally skinny, but to get in top model shape, you really have to not eat (or perhaps cultivate a heroin or cocain habit). I don't see this as discriminatory. Designers "discriminate" against overweight models all the time. What's so bad about turning the tables?

[kedzieb]

I like the idea of encouraging a healthy female body, but this seems a little crazy. They decided this rule after the fashion show was scheduled, after the designers had picked models & after they'd cut their clothes for those models. What were the designers supposed to do at this point?

Also, most models aren't itty bitty - they are usually quite tall & thin. It seems to go back and forth on whether they are unhealthfully thin or just thin depending on the season. Right now is not even close to the thinnest I remember.

What is their standard of healthy? Can the models not smoke or drink either? How about premarital sex? Random drug screenings? I'd rather it be that models are not role models for young girls at all than trying to sanitize them into being slightly more wholesome and justifying emulating them.

[ellidew]

Many many years ago beauty was not portrayed by tall thin women rather by more plump women. At some point the fashion industry decided that tall and thin was the new beautiful. It seems that someone is now taking a stand and trying to again change the perception.

I'm all for the change because I don't think the models they use today best portray what most women look like. The modeling industry has been the one determining what beautiful is for so long and it's so in your face that most people think that's how they are supposed to look.

"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," said Gould, Elite's North America director, adding that the move could harm careers of naturally "gazelle-like" models.


Give me a break. What about the discrimination of everyone in the world that isn't 'gazelle-like'? I'm not sure i can climb on board with harming the career of the naturally gazelle-like either. The rest of us had to find talents outside of being beautiful and i would expect the same out of everyone no matter their measure of beauty.

Just my opinion of course... I do feel bad that some of these models are going to get the shaft but i'm all for a healthier sense of beauty.

[kimbyj]

My mother was a model in the 60's and unable to gain a pound despite eating shakes/malted/sundaes on a daily basis. She was 5'9" and 103 lbs. I was very similar to my mother until 27 and asthma caused me to take steroids for 16 months and gain 52lbs. Everyone likes me better with the weight but I feel uncomfy. I guess my point is that some people are naturally thin and try to gain weight. I do not believe that most super models are waif like - look at Beverly Johnson, Cindy Crawford, Tyra Banks - none of them have been "gaezlle-like". They are all tall and curvy.

I think a move toward making runway models look like the public who are buying the clothes is a good thing and should be applauded. On the other hand, I do think that some women are just naturally thin. Heck, my best friend never weighed more than 110, was 5'9" and ate like a HORSE. She had sickle cell and really could not gain weight. (she has since died from complications from the disease).

[Asha]

i think there's a difference between runway models and advertisting models. i think most runway models are rail thin, and most advertisting models have a bit more curve to them. i think most people need to be rail thin to get a start in the modeling world.

i have a friend who is absolutely gorgeous. she is 5'11" and 130 pounds. she was told by a top modeling agency in nyc to come back when she lost 10 pounds. she refused to do it bc she refused to be unhealthy to become a model. now, she is a successful lawyer, and i don't think she regrets not losing those 10 pounds.

[jnettie]

Well, I also don't think it's fair to the designers to suddenly decide that skinny models can't work in Madrid. Besides, the fashionable silhouette this season seems to be non-curvy and skinny - which doesn't make me personally happy because my ass won't look good in those damn skinny pants! - and I'm not sure what a government can do to change that.

I don't feel bad for models, though. When your entire career is based on how you look, if the fashion changes and you don't fit that ideal anymore, you're out of a job. Better have a backup plan! I consider that a chance you take when you make that decision.

However:
I think a move toward making runway models look like the public who are buying the clothes is a good thing and should be applauded.
Who the heck is buy runway clothes?! :p I look at most of that stuff and think "wow, those are really cool wearable sculptures!" but never "oh, I want a dress like that to wear to work." ;) I actually agree with Asha - it seems that print ads are already going toward more natural bodies. I don't really care what runway and high fashion are doing.

Of course, I'm still pissed at the Gap for the skinny pant! ;)

[keska]

I like the idea.

[MLA]

my ass won't look good in those damn skinny pants! - and I'm not sure what a government can do to change that.



LOL! I would definitely vote for any candidate who ran on the platform of outlawing skinny pants! Down with unflattering silhouettes! :D

[Asha]

you know i have to say the people who look the most unflattering in the skinny pants are the people who are way too skinny. it just emphasizes their unhealthy looking body.

[wendalah]

BTW, thin does not necessarily equal "model material." You have to be pretty damn gorgeous as well as thin.