"Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has called for "stick-thin" models to be banned from the catwalks during London Fashion Week.
It comes after Madrid's fashion week, one of Spain's most prestigious shows, banned underweight models on the basis of their body mass index (BMI).
Ms Jowell said "stick-thin" models pressurised girls to starve themselves.
But the British Fashion Council (BFC), which runs the event, said it would not tell designers how to run their shows.
United Nations health experts recommend a BMI of between 18.5 and about 25, but some models fall well below the minimum.
The fashion industry is hugely powerful in shaping the attitude of teenage girls and their feelings about themselves
Tessa Jowell, Culture Secretary
The Spanish Association of Fashion Designers decided to ban models who had a BMI of less than 18.
Ms Jowell urged the BFC to follow this example when the London show opens on Monday.
She said: "The fashion industry's promotion of beauty as meaning stick thin is damaging to young girls' self image and to their health.
"The fashion industry is hugely powerful in shaping the attitude of teenage girls and their feelings about themselves.
"I applaud the decision taken by Madrid to ban super-thin models, and urge the organisers of London Fashion Week to do the same."
But the BFC said in a statement it "does not comment or interfere in the aesthetic of any designer's show".
(from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/5352148.stm)
What do you think - should the freedom of the designers to choose their models and set fashion standards be respected or should steps be taken to protect young women from dangerous role models?
I think we are talking about models like this one
http://www.styleguru.org/images/new_york_fashion.jpg
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This should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
If the girl is actually unhealthy, I agree that she should not be allowed to model, just as an athlete taking steroids should not be allowed to play.
But I'm sure there are girls who may have a BMI of, say 17.1, that are perfectly fine. Yeah, like me. Of course, I'm not model material, but the point remains.
If the girl is actually unhealthy, I agree that she should not be allowed to model, just as an athlete taking steroids should not be allowed to play.
But I'm sure there are girls who may have a BMI of, say 17.1, that are perfectly fine. Yeah, like me. Of course, I'm not model material, but the point remains.
This is an interesting question....I heard about this ban from the show last week. To a certain extent, if the fashion designers are making clothes that are cut for women who are that thin, there isn't too much that can be done. If you have to be a size 0 to fit into their clothes, than that's that.
However, these designers do hold a tremendous amount of sway over public opinion of what the ideal image of a woman is and should be, and for too long I think the image has been way too thin.
I think the designers know that they have this power, and for some reason they continue to make clothes for uber-skinny models as a way to motivate people (when it normally does the opposite). If it takes these fashion show organizers cutting designers from their shows in order to make them understand the danger they are posing, then maybe that's what it will take. We've given them enough time to see the harm that they are doing, and they've done nothing. Perhaps a swift kick in the wallet (and condemnation from the bigger shows) will make them see.
But I wish they'd use something other than the BMI to go on...most doctors agree today that the BMI system is crap. According to that thing, Shaq is obese for his height/weight ratio (and he's all muscle). They ought to use something like waist-hip ratio, which is a better indicator.
However, these designers do hold a tremendous amount of sway over public opinion of what the ideal image of a woman is and should be, and for too long I think the image has been way too thin.
I think the designers know that they have this power, and for some reason they continue to make clothes for uber-skinny models as a way to motivate people (when it normally does the opposite). If it takes these fashion show organizers cutting designers from their shows in order to make them understand the danger they are posing, then maybe that's what it will take. We've given them enough time to see the harm that they are doing, and they've done nothing. Perhaps a swift kick in the wallet (and condemnation from the bigger shows) will make them see.
But I wish they'd use something other than the BMI to go on...most doctors agree today that the BMI system is crap. According to that thing, Shaq is obese for his height/weight ratio (and he's all muscle). They ought to use something like waist-hip ratio, which is a better indicator.
I can't find anything definite on what waist-to-hip ration "means", would you happen to know anything or have a link-y ? Just curious, as I've never really heard of this before !
This is interesting....I'll have to think about what my answer would be for a little bit.
I think they should.
It's a disgrace to let girls and adult woman think that that is the way a woman should look. And that extremely thin is the way men want them to look.
It's a disgrace to let girls and adult woman think that that is the way a woman should look. And that extremely thin is the way men want them to look.
ABSOLUTELY!
It was time that someone put a halt on the fashion industry. I for once I'm absolutely fed up with hearing from my girlfriend, cousins, and female friends how miserable they feel about the way they look when they feel perfectly fine.
They might say that they don't allow the media to influence their perspective on how a woman should look, but the truth of the matter is that they do.
Supermodels are the last people on earth that women should think about modeling themselves after.
It was time that someone put a halt on the fashion industry. I for once I'm absolutely fed up with hearing from my girlfriend, cousins, and female friends how miserable they feel about the way they look when they feel perfectly fine.
They might say that they don't allow the media to influence their perspective on how a woman should look, but the truth of the matter is that they do.
Supermodels are the last people on earth that women should think about modeling themselves after.
As the father of a young girl i have to say that I believe a lot comes from the way you bring up a child and how you give them a balanced view of the world.
There is no doubt that there are huge pressures on young girls to look thin from the media and from peers, however, if the girl has a strong self belief and a solid grounding from her family she will be better equipped to cope, I'm not saying that is all you need, but the ability to be able to look beyond the tabloids and see the real world is vital.
I am fortunate that I can send my daughter to a school of my choice where I believe she gets nurtured in such a way that will help boost her confidence, this no-doubt will help her in the long run, but never under estimate the value of the early years, they are the time when children start to form there whole views on life, and a supportive open minded parent makes a world of difference, take them out show them the world and encourage them in everything they do.
Do I feel it is right to ban thin models, too little too late, and frankly it will not change the way women are portrayed in the media, I think they should try to have a balance, after all many girls are naturally thin, just as many are naturally fat, so why not design for them all?
There is no doubt that there are huge pressures on young girls to look thin from the media and from peers, however, if the girl has a strong self belief and a solid grounding from her family she will be better equipped to cope, I'm not saying that is all you need, but the ability to be able to look beyond the tabloids and see the real world is vital.
I am fortunate that I can send my daughter to a school of my choice where I believe she gets nurtured in such a way that will help boost her confidence, this no-doubt will help her in the long run, but never under estimate the value of the early years, they are the time when children start to form there whole views on life, and a supportive open minded parent makes a world of difference, take them out show them the world and encourage them in everything they do.
Do I feel it is right to ban thin models, too little too late, and frankly it will not change the way women are portrayed in the media, I think they should try to have a balance, after all many girls are naturally thin, just as many are naturally fat, so why not design for them all?
i guess they should.
these models may look pretty, but there is a tendency for people to get the wrong idea of how a woman should look.
have you seen the dove ad? i love it. it's so real. not like the ones you see on... vogue for example.
these models may look pretty, but there is a tendency for people to get the wrong idea of how a woman should look.
have you seen the dove ad? i love it. it's so real. not like the ones you see on... vogue for example.
I agree with ever word, Togg and I think banning is always the very last resort.
However, the models we saw in the New York fashion shows last week are not "naturally thin", they look starved. To me they also do not look pretty.. Here are some pics from the net
http://imgsrv.knx1070.com/image/DbGraphic/200609/359578.jpg
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/2006/Sept/060908/060909_thin_hmed_10a.hmedium.jpg
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/09/13/skinny_narrowweb__300x454,0.jpg
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/02/06/fashion_week16_gallery__470x363.jpg
http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2005/02/07/1107796830_3353.jpg
This is not healthy and to think that teenage girls think they have to look that way to be successful and accepted is frightening. Something has to be done. How sick is a society when highly paid models look like poor starving people in Ethiopia (for example). I know it's not only the models, there are celebrities (for example Victoria Beckham) who also look like that.
However, the models we saw in the New York fashion shows last week are not "naturally thin", they look starved. To me they also do not look pretty.. Here are some pics from the net
http://imgsrv.knx1070.com/image/DbGraphic/200609/359578.jpg
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/2006/Sept/060908/060909_thin_hmed_10a.hmedium.jpg
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/09/13/skinny_narrowweb__300x454,0.jpg
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/02/06/fashion_week16_gallery__470x363.jpg
http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2005/02/07/1107796830_3353.jpg
This is not healthy and to think that teenage girls think they have to look that way to be successful and accepted is frightening. Something has to be done. How sick is a society when highly paid models look like poor starving people in Ethiopia (for example). I know it's not only the models, there are celebrities (for example Victoria Beckham) who also look like that.
^ Those pictures are SICK. Not one of them is pretty. They are ugly.
Nicole Ritchie also is extremely thin. Some reports say she is only 85 pounds. It is definitely a psychosis. I do agree with Togg that some women are naturally thin and also need clothing that fits them well, but I don't believe the looks of most models is how nature intended them to look. I think it is starvation. Something ought to be done to sway this popular look but I'm not sure what. Mostly, these women are adults and it is assumed that they are able to make rational decisions for their own health and eating habits. The pictures don't lie though.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=red>The Audacity of Charles wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I can't find anything definite on what waist-to-hip ration "means", would you happen to know anything or have a link-y ? Just curious, as I've never really heard of this before ![/QUOTE]
Sure! The waist to hip ratio is a method of measurement which indicates how much fat you store around your middle. Scientific studies have now indicated that how much fat you store here is a greater indicator of possible health problems later than the BMI index. There are links here:
http://www.annecollins.com/weight-loss/waist-hip-ratio.htm
Sure! The waist to hip ratio is a method of measurement which indicates how much fat you store around your middle. Scientific studies have now indicated that how much fat you store here is a greater indicator of possible health problems later than the BMI index. There are links here:
http://www.annecollins.com/weight-loss/waist-hip-ratio.htm
I am always aghast when I see women who wear sizes 12-14 (USA sizes) described as "plus size" models! Marilyn Monroe wore a size 12! Elizabeth Hurley once said that if she was as big as Marilyn Monroe was, that she'd want to die. Very sad.
Personally I felt is was a great shame when Sophie Dahl slimmed down she was much more attractive with a little weight on her hips.
Hopefully this will prove to be just a fashion trend that will come and go, however I doubt much will change when it comes to how women are seen in the media. They will always be shown as perfect in the eyes of artists, producers, art directors, magazine editors etc, however every now and then we get a glimmer of hope when someone like Ana Matronic (The Scissor Sisters) shows up and seems happy (not to mention sexy) to be a little more substantial! shall we say.
Hopefully this will prove to be just a fashion trend that will come and go, however I doubt much will change when it comes to how women are seen in the media. They will always be shown as perfect in the eyes of artists, producers, art directors, magazine editors etc, however every now and then we get a glimmer of hope when someone like Ana Matronic (The Scissor Sisters) shows up and seems happy (not to mention sexy) to be a little more substantial! shall we say.