Skinny models and the CFDA health initiative
March 29th, 2007Here’s another relevant piece of information regarding the skinny model controversy (see “Can fashion models be too thin?“) – a set of recommendations released earlier this year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA):
Keep models under 16 off the runway and don’t allow models under 18 to work at fittings or photo shoots past midnight.
Educate those in the industry to identify the early warning signs of eating disorders.
Require models identified as having an eating disorder to receive professional help and only allow those models to continue with approval from that professional.
Develop workshops on the causes and effects of eating disorders, and raise awareness of the effects of smoking and tobacco-related disease.
During fashion shows, provide healthy meals and snacks, while prohibiting smoking and alcohol.
These are merely suggestions and will not be enforced.
The question of unhealthy body mass indexes (BMIs) was not addressed. According to their statement:
“The CFDA is about awareness and education, not policing. Therefore, the committee is not recommending that models get a doctor’s physical examination to assess their health or body-mass index to be permitted to work. Eating disorders are emotional disorders that have psychological, behavioral, social, and physical manifestations, of which body weight is only one.”
Another indication that the ultra skinny model will be around as long as super–slim sells.
March 29th, 2007 at 8:04 am
I hope that the new, curvy, and more “natural” look that seems to be gaining popularity in Hollywood (aside from the too skinny, pseudo-stars) will also take hold on the runway and in gal magazines as well. We need to see more Kate Winslets, Penelope Cruz’s, Scarlett Johannsons (sp?), Beyonce Knowles’s and Salma Hayeks.
They are Beeyooteeful!
March 29th, 2007 at 11:28 am
I think this is definitely a step in the right direction.
March 29th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
If having bootie becomes acceptable in American culture I shall dance in the streets and feel a sense of acceptance/relief not felt in my adult life.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Models haven’t always been this thin - Think back to the models of the 60’s - when Twiggy was thought to be an ultra-thin waif! Only very high fashion models were extremely thin - My friend the artist used to say that it was because of fashion illustration - which was always exaggerated & when the illustration gave way to the photo - the exaggeration of the illustration endured in the photos….And the ultra-high fashion look prevailed, even in photos…
We don’t seem to be able to get away from the ultra-tall/slender line -as the clothes look good on them- as they would hung on coat hangers - but it seems ironic when the clothes made that way look awful on more than 75% of those who would presumably be buying them! (And women do seem to be more vocal about demanding clothes that make them look good for their $ - a reason why lines like Liz Claiborne have always been so profitable!!!)
This has been a dirty secret for years - I lived thru the druggy years of the 80’s in Hollywood when taking drugs was pro forma - And the only reason I am in reasonable shape now is that I didn’t want to ruin my health at the time….& you know, I was right. Too many women have sacrificed their beauty in the long run for being fashionable in the short term. And you know, the media/fashion industry don’t give a damn - but we can.