What is the fashion industry's responsibility in regulating underweight models?
Latest Developments
New York, led by theCouncil of Fashion Designers of America, is the latest major fashion capital to issue guidelines regarding the underweight model issue. The CFDA recommendations include these guidelines:
- Models under 16 are banned from the runway and models under 18 shouldn't work past midnight.
- Models identified with an eating disorder must get professional help; these models can only return to work with that professional's OK.
- Provide healthy food for the models during fashion shows and prohibit smoking and alcohol.
Background
The so-called "Size Zero Debate" gained international attention after two models died last year of suspected weight-related ailments: one collapsing on a Uruguay runway, the other in Brazil from anorexia-related complications. Madrid initiated the campaign against underweight models with guidelines banning models under a body mass index of 18. Milan became the first major fashion capital to issue guidelines regulating underweight models, followed by the U.S.
