Ban on skinny models shocks fashion world Updated: 2006-09-14 17:28
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In this file
photo a model wears a Rosa Cha creation as part of the Spring
2007 Fashion Week in New York September 10, 2006. 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. (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 catwalk pageants.
Madrid's fashion week has turned away underweight models after protests that
young girls and 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.
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