We all know that old quote "you can never be too rich, or too thin". Well that quote may not apply for too much longer.
It is obvious that thin is definitely in in most places around the world, but it certainly wasn't accepted at the recent Madrid Fashion show; where models who were too thin were banned from the runway. Many modelling agencies from Sydney, Australia (my hometown) are in full support of the ban. It appears that organizers in this show have set a precedence never before observed in the world of fashion, by rejecting models who weighed less than the acceptable BMI! How bizarre. Hey, I said it was bizarre I didn't say that it was a bad idea, actually I think it is a responsible move from the Fashion world - finally.
Now I must admit that I love nothing more than to view attractive women adorning the pages of the fashion magazines, but when such women (more prevalent in recent years) are obviously suffering from eating disorders to maintain their weight then the image fails to appeal to me (just look at recent photos of Nicole Richie if you want an example of an eating disordered victim).
The courageous decision made by officials in Madrid has been long overdue, and it is now time for the fashion industry to take responsiblity for the distorted images that have caused many women to have a skewered image of what is normal...and healthy.
Here is the full article:
"Top Sydney modelling agencies have come out in support of the ban on "skinny" models at the Madrid fashion show.
Organisers of the Madrid fashion week turned away models who did not meet their body mass index or BMI measurement.
The body mass index is a statistical measure of ideal body weight calculated by dividing a person's body weight by their height squared. An ideal body max index is between 18.5 and 25. A measurement under 15 is considered grossly underweight.
The ban provoked controversy about the impact of overly thin models on the public and designer freedom.
Kathy Ward, the director of Chic modelling agency in Woollahra, believes the ban is a positive step for the fashion industry.
"I think it's a great move," Ms Ward said. "If girls are too skinny they're not going to get jobs. I'm supportive of what they're doing.
"It is a positive move for the industry and sets a very good example to the other fashion weeks around the world."
Ms Ward believes such a move should be welcomed by the industry as a step towards fostering healthier body images for women.
"In Australia we have a healthier attitude towards body image in that the lifestyle it encourages is outdoor activity and a lot more positive attitude," she said.
"It has surprised me that someone has taken a stance. I do believe it is something we should all look at from an industry point of view."
Martin Walsh, the director of Chadwick Model Management in Surry Hills, recognises the rationale of the Madrid ban, but believes such a move is unnecessary in Australia.
"The truth is the Australian market likes healthy-looking girls - something we are conscious of ... we never go for anyone that's too thin," he said.
"We would recommend that they [thin models] tone up and would need to be of a certain size.
"But it's a very relative sort of thing. You can usually tell if someone looks their natural weight.
"The industry should regulate themselves. As an agency we are very careful and conscious of body image [and] we probably would reflect what the industry is looking for."
The editor of the feminist Wo! Magazine, Anna Greer, said the modelling world creates hyper-glamourised and unrealistic expectations that are damaging for young women.
"Eating disorders are a huge problem for especially teenage girls, and I think the impossible body ideals imposed on them by the fashion industry and media and pop culture is obviously a huge contributor to this," she said.
Bethany Kennedy, a 19-year-old model and UTS design student, agrees that the pressure and competition in the modelling world often lead to skewed norms of a healthy body image.
"What you're exposed to is girls with no fat at all [so] it becomes the norm," she said.
Kennedy said she feels constantly scrutinised in the modelling industry and that to maintain a lower body weight "means a lot of hard work and a lot of hunger".
*Article compliments of the Sydney Morning Herald and you can read a later article here.
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