There has been the latest controversy on skinny models being banned to parade on runways much less be part of fashion shows due to their BMI of 18. Its been said that all models are to have a minimum BMI higher than 18.
The
world's first ban on overly thin models at Madrid's Fashion Week has caused outrage among modeling agencies and raised the prospect of restrictions at other Fashion Week venues across the world. According to
this article, the show was restricted to runway models with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 18, which means a 6'0" tall model would have to weigh no less than about 135 pounds to be considered. Madrid’s Fashion Week has turned away underweight models after protests that girls and young women were trying to copy their rail-thin looks and developing eating disorders.
Organizers of the Madrid show say they want to project an image of beauty and health, rather than a waif-like, or heroin chic look. Britain's culture minister and Milan's mayor have already called for similar rules in London and Milan.
While banning "overly thin models" is a tad over the top, it would be nice for the modeling agencies to take a look at the people in the real world and incorporate them into their fantasy world of perfect women. When teenage girls are starving themselves, binging and purging, to look like the girls in the unrealistic world of models, something has gone terribly wrong and these agencies should take a long hard look at that. As for the rest of us that aren't teenage girls, we should already know that perfection is an impossible goal, be comfortable in our own skin, accept that we will never look like that and be happy with who we are.
So what's your take on this?
tasha signs off.
