The mayor of Milan, Italy, Letizia Moratti told an Italian newspaper
this week she would seek a similar ban for her city's show unless it could find
a solution to "sick" looking models.
QUALITY, NOT SIZE
The Madrid show is using the body mass index or BMI -- based on weight and
height -- to measure models. It has turned away 30 percent of women who took
part in the previous event. Medics will be on hand at the September 18-22 show
to check models.
Under the Madrid ruling, models must have a BMI rating of around 18. That
would disqualify top Spanish model Esther Canadas, and supermodels like Kate
Moss, based on unofficial records of their height and weight.
"The restrictions could be quite a shock to the fashion world at the
beginning, but I'm sure it's important as far as health is concerned," said
Leonor Perez Pita, director of Madrid's show, also known as the Pasarela
Cibeles.
When asked if they supported controls, seven Spanish designers showing at
Madrid either declined to comment or said they did not want to become involved
in the controversy. Designers in Milan gave a similar response.
A spokeswoman for the Association of Fashion Designers of Spain, which
represents those at Madrid fashion week, said the group supported restrictions
and its concern was the quality of collections, not the size of models.
Eating disorder activists said many Spanish model agencies and designers
oppose the ban and they had doubts whether the new rules would be followed.
"If they don't go along with it the next step is to seek legislation, just
like with tobacco," said Carmen Gonzalez of Spain's Association in Defense of
Attention for Anorexia and Bulimia, which has campaigned for restrictions since
the 1990s.
Elite's Gould said fashion was not to blame for eating disorders that usually
started at home due to poor eating habits and constant dieting by
mothers.
So far, Madrid's move has yet to spark a worldwide trend toward
catwalk shows with curvier figures.
London Fashion Week said in a statement it would not put restrictions on what
type of models its designers use.
 | 1 | 2 |
