SMU Journal: News to Muse: Article #2 - Madrid Bans Skinny Models
Madrid, Spain Bans Skinny Models
By: Alicia Wallace
The fashion world is a divided body resulting from the ban placed on overly thin models during Madrid’s fashion week. This decision was heavily influenced by the death of a 22 year old Uruguayan model in August 2006. The purpose of this ban is to promote a beautiful and healthy look among young women as opposed to the “rail-thin” look. The fashion show organizers required all participating models to have a BMI between 18 and 25. Models from the previous year’s show who did not meet this criterion were not allowed to participate. Many people are outraged while others are applauding the efforts of the Madrid fashion week organizers.
The questions being hurled at these organizers include, “Isn’t this discrimination against the models?” Popular names and faces including Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss would not fit the new requirements. Protestors insist that a healthy body image cannot be visually judged and cannot be quantified. Banning “skinny” models is not the remedy for eating disorders, nor is it a bandage for emotional or mental scars. Setting boundaries and certain restrictions can have an undesirable effect, exacerbating the problem with eating disorders. It is argued that telling people that they are “too skinny” is as bad as telling others that they are “too fat” or “obese”. Prejudice is prejudice, regardless of the direction in which it is flowing.
Still, we must ask, “What proportion of the population is actually thin, naturally?” A very small proportion of the population has a thin frame, a low BMI and an amazingly rapidly working metabolism. Of course, we all know one or two people who are thin, and have always been that way. They eat and never seem to gain any weight, and we wonder, “Why?” They are a part of that small group. Lucky them! Models, however, for the most part, are not naturally as thin as they currently are.
Another popular question, in response to this issue, is, “What about the freedom of choice and preference of the designer?” The designers truly make or break the major fashion events all over the world; without them, these shows would not exist. Just as this is a valid point, there is strong opposition and refutation to this point. It seems rather obvious that a model with “a little meat on the bones” and shapeliness would better present articles of clothing that a model upon whom the clothing simply hangs. Why should a designer choose an unhealthy-looking, unrealistic representation and depiction? After all, the purchases are made by real people of natural shapes and sizes.
Milan, Italy and the United Kingdom are now considering the institution of a similar ban. Future steps may also involve “healthy body image activists” seeking legislation.
By: Alicia Wallace
The fashion world is a divided body resulting from the ban placed on overly thin models during Madrid’s fashion week. This decision was heavily influenced by the death of a 22 year old Uruguayan model in August 2006. The purpose of this ban is to promote a beautiful and healthy look among young women as opposed to the “rail-thin” look. The fashion show organizers required all participating models to have a BMI between 18 and 25. Models from the previous year’s show who did not meet this criterion were not allowed to participate. Many people are outraged while others are applauding the efforts of the Madrid fashion week organizers.
The questions being hurled at these organizers include, “Isn’t this discrimination against the models?” Popular names and faces including Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss would not fit the new requirements. Protestors insist that a healthy body image cannot be visually judged and cannot be quantified. Banning “skinny” models is not the remedy for eating disorders, nor is it a bandage for emotional or mental scars. Setting boundaries and certain restrictions can have an undesirable effect, exacerbating the problem with eating disorders. It is argued that telling people that they are “too skinny” is as bad as telling others that they are “too fat” or “obese”. Prejudice is prejudice, regardless of the direction in which it is flowing.
Still, we must ask, “What proportion of the population is actually thin, naturally?” A very small proportion of the population has a thin frame, a low BMI and an amazingly rapidly working metabolism. Of course, we all know one or two people who are thin, and have always been that way. They eat and never seem to gain any weight, and we wonder, “Why?” They are a part of that small group. Lucky them! Models, however, for the most part, are not naturally as thin as they currently are.
Another popular question, in response to this issue, is, “What about the freedom of choice and preference of the designer?” The designers truly make or break the major fashion events all over the world; without them, these shows would not exist. Just as this is a valid point, there is strong opposition and refutation to this point. It seems rather obvious that a model with “a little meat on the bones” and shapeliness would better present articles of clothing that a model upon whom the clothing simply hangs. Why should a designer choose an unhealthy-looking, unrealistic representation and depiction? After all, the purchases are made by real people of natural shapes and sizes.
Milan, Italy and the United Kingdom are now considering the institution of a similar ban. Future steps may also involve “healthy body image activists” seeking legislation.