Spain bans skinny models from fashion show

twitchy · September 10th, 2006, 10:28 AM

Skinny models banned from top fashion show

09.09.06

Real women will breathe a sigh of relief: waif-like models are being pushed off the catwalk. Spain's top fashion show is banning skinny women from taking part to promote a healthier image of the event.
However, it is unlikely to catch on. The organisers of London Fashion Week said they would not be introducing a similar rule.

Organizers of Madrid Fashion week used a mathematical formula to calculate the models' body mass index - a measure of their weight in relation to their height. They found 30 percent of the women had a BMI under 18 and were too underweight to take part in the shows. Esther Canadas, Spain's most well-known model does not qualify because she is said to have a BMI of only 14.

The decision was made as part of a voluntary agreement with the Madrid regional government. The Association of Fashion Designers of Spain. said in a statement it wanted models to project "an image of beauty and health" and shun a gaunt, emaciated look.

Ryan Brown, a director for the Elite modeling agency in New York City said it was "very unprecedented."

He welcomed the decision and said the fashion industry will certainly take note, although the rejection of thinness would have more impact if it had happened in a bigger fashion venue like Paris or Milan.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/a...how/article.do

Go Spain!!!!

buttmunch · September 10th, 2006, 10:54 AM

Thanks for posting this. I saw it somewhere and then couldn't remember where when I wanted to post it. I think it's great. And I think it's sick that when a designer put so called 'normal-sized' models on the runway, they were ridiculed. Yes, fashion is all about death and starvation, eh?

Palermo · September 10th, 2006, 09:23 PM

Check out the models faces as they go down the runway, zombies have nothing on them. Good for Spain!

A*O · September 10th, 2006, 11:01 PM

There was a huge fuss here last week when a swimwear designer had a show with 'real' women models instead of stick insects. The woman ranged from Oz size 8 (US 6?) to a 'massive' size 12 (US 10?). The audience loved it, but the fashionistas were having the vapours about such 'disgusting' women, who were not professional models, daring to show themselves in public on the catwalk. I can't remember the name of the designer, but she's going to get my business.

Lobelia · September 10th, 2006, 11:21 PM

You gotta start somewhere. Step by step. Kudos to the brave people here making the first moves.

celeb_2006 · September 11th, 2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palermo

Check out the models faces as they go down the runway, zombies have nothing on them. Good for Spain!

Whenever I see pictures or clips of these runway models it makes me sad to see them so unhealthy looking. Some of them approach nicole richie's frame. Good for this one move.

ourmaninBusan · September 11th, 2006, 10:14 AM

But how long will this last? It could very well be a
flash in the pan, no more.

MrsMarsters · September 11th, 2006, 01:38 PM

well I thought it was about what the PUBLIC wanted to see? I must be a HUGE fat pig if a 3 or 5 is huge.

cynic · September 11th, 2006, 01:39 PM

Models are basically moving coat hangers. They are supposed to show the clothing and not detract attention from the clothing. "Normal sized" people do not look like clothes hangers, their bodies would detract from the attention-centering clothing.

This move on the part of Spain makes no more sense than hiring models to be brick layers.

If you don't like fashion, buy at Walmart and J. C. Penny's. I rather doubt anyone reading this has the kind of money for which the designers are marketing their clothing.

MgMMD · September 11th, 2006, 04:49 PM

A BMI of 14...which is like, 5 points below the lowest healthy range
If that was on the opposite scale, let's say a BMI of 30 they would be obese and be at risk for all sorts of health problems and everyone here would be calling them a huge pig.

Besides it is hella easier for designers to design for very, very thin women because they don't have to work with pesky darts and other dressmaking issues. This ban won't do a damn thing, it will only make skinnier more attractive.

Lobelia · September 11th, 2006, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cynic

Models are basically moving coat hangers. They are supposed to show the clothing and not detract attention from the clothing. "Normal sized" people do not look like clothes hangers, their bodies would detract from the attention-centering clothing.

Says who? And besides, when these girls wobble out on the runway with their chicken legs & gaunt faces, a lot of people find that pretty distracting. Plus, if what you say is true, then it makes no sense for models to wear bizarre makeup or hairstyles, like they often do.

The thing is, even these people with the money you mentioned, are not all twigs. I don't believe that many of the wealthy women who are targeted by these designers are as skinny as the models.

People can like fashion & not be wealthy. It's silly to say otherwise.

celeb_2006 · September 11th, 2006, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobelia

Says who? And besides, when these girls wobble out on the runway with their chicken legs & gaunt faces, a lot of people find that pretty distracting. Plus, if what you say is true, then it makes no sense for models to wear bizarre makeup or hairstyles, like they often do.

The thing is, even these people with the money you mentioned, are not all twigs. I don't believe that many of the wealthy women who are targeted by these designers are as skinny as the models.

People can like fashion & not be wealthy. It's silly to say otherwise.

I agree, being too skinny elicits from me an 'ewww' factor that totally distracts from what they are wearing. There needs to be a balance somewhere.

cynic · September 12th, 2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobelia

Says who? And besides, when these girls wobble out on the runway with their chicken legs & gaunt faces, a lot of people find that pretty distracting. Plus, if what you say is true, then it makes no sense for models to wear bizarre makeup or hairstyles, like they often do.

The thing is, even these people with the money you mentioned, are not all twigs. I don't believe that many of the wealthy women who are targeted by these designers are as skinny as the models.

People can like fashion & not be wealthy. It's silly to say otherwise.

Says who? The entire high fashion industry. The hair and make-up also do not draw attention to the model as a human, only as an accessory to the clothing.

I'm not even going to discuss weight.

But I didn't say if you liked fashion or not, but do you actually buy it?

Lobelia · September 12th, 2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cynic

If you don't like fashion, buy at Walmart and J. C. Penny's.

No, you said LIKE not BUY.

I don't agree with you here, but if you're right, then the fashion industry is completely effed up if a successful model looks nothing like a human being.

cynic · September 12th, 2006, 02:10 PM

Well, no, fashion doesn't make sense to me no matter what the models look like. Thousands of dollars for a dress is insane. But then again, I also don't understand body builders who turn themselves into things that don't look human either.

To each his own.....

But, I do not think that one fashion show is going to change an industry.