Spain Says No to Skinny Models
Models who are considered too skinny will be banned from a fashion show in Madrid later this month. The regional government has expressed concern that the image portrayed by these gaunt women might influence young Spanish girls and increase the incidence of anorexia and bulimia.
It seems to me that the skeletal thinness of fashion models and Hollywood stars is increasingly out of step with the attitudes of average women. When we were young, low-rise pants or “hip-huggers” with body suits that clung to every inch of the torso were worn by young women everywhere, but no one would have dared to wear that style unless they were pencil thin. Nowadays the pants are still riding low on the hips and in place of the body suit are stretchy, torso-hugging shirts that end just short of the top of the pant-waist, showing lots of skin. The difference is that heavier girls wear the style just as often as the skinny ones do. Attitudes towards what is an acceptable body seem to be shifting more towards healthy weights and away from the desire to be bone thin.
These thoughts make me hopeful for the future although, because they are my personal observations, I could be wrong. But think of having fashion and Hollywood taking their cue from the public instead of the other way around. It can happen, if we refuse to accept the pre-packaged trends and images they offer us.
I am not saying that there’s anything wrong with being in style and enjoying all that fashion has to offer. I am suggesting that we send the message, loud and clear, over and over, until Hollywood and fashion designers hear us: Style and fashion are for everyone, not just for under-nourished twenty-somethings who do not represent real women.
Madrid bans too-thin models from catwalk
I heard about this yesterday and thought, wow, someone taking responsibility. If only Hollywood and Madison Avenue would do something.
By Rhea on September 12th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
Way to go Spain! I think the whole fashion industry is out of touch, but perhaps that’s just me. I very rarely see anyone wear the stuff they show on catwalks, so I am wondering why they call it fashion if 99.9% of the population doesn’t wear it and couldn’t care less.
By Janus on September 12th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
It is hopeful and this isn’t the first time they have banned too-thin models in Spain. But as you say, if anything is going to be accomplished in this country, it has to start with Hollywood and Madison Avenue.
By Andrea on September 13th, 2006 at 1:50 am
Janus, I would agree that you don’t see many people on the streets in the same outfits you see on the catwalk, but the clothes you see on the racks, even in Wal-mart, find their origins in what happens there.
By Andrea on September 13th, 2006 at 1:53 am
[…] Spain has certainly caused a stir in the fashion world with its ban on too-thin models in an upcoming fashion show in Madrid. You can read about it in my article on this blog. New reports indicate that up to 30% of models were eliminated based on their low BMI scores. […]
By Dying to be Beautiful ยป Serving Women in Their Fifties on September 19th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
hi ! i suffer from anorexia and while the fashion or media did not cause my eating disorder ,it does without a doubt make it even more diificult for me to recover when thinness is idolised so so much ! along with the eating disorder comes a distorted body image so i nor any other anorexic sees ourselves in what may be the true light,there is never a goal reached ,we can allways be skinnier and thats whats scary! some of these model’s mind have been warped so that they too are ill and can only see in one direction ,,it is such a difficult path to get off of once treaded on !these girls need help !
By Emma O'Neil on September 25th, 2006 at 12:01 am
I agree Emma, they need help. And thousands and thousands of other young girls who cannot see themselves as they are in a positive way, but feel the need to go to extreme and sometimes dangerous lengths to try to achieve thinness. I hope that if the images we see change, then fewer girls will be brainwashed into starving themselves to be models or to be like models. I do understand that in many cases, anorexia and bulimia stem from other emotional issues, and I can see how it would be even harder to recover in a society that considers being thin to be the ultimate goal for any woman.
I wish you luck and good health and a true recovery from your eating disorder. The fact that you recognize it is hopeful. I pray you are one day able to look in a mirror and see yourself as others see you, and appreciate the beauty you possess just by being you.
By Andrea on September 25th, 2006 at 1:11 am