Sunday, September 17, 2006

"Naturally" stick-like. Right.

Finally!

I'm so pleased with the decision by the Spanish Association of Fashion Designers. (This news is about a week old now... sorry!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5341202.stm?ls

"Madrid bans waifs from catwalks

Madrid fashion week, one of Spain's most prestigious shows, is banning underweight models on the basis of their body mass index (BMI).

UN health experts recommend a BMI of between 18.5 and about 25, and some models may fall well below the minimum.

The Spanish Association of Fashion Designers has decided to ban models who have a BMI of less than 18.

Unhealthily skinny models at last year's fashion shows led to protests from doctors and women's rights groups.

The association agreed to use the BMI - a calculation based on height and weight - in response to local government pressure....."

Now, if only NYC and Paris would get on board. Ooh, and can you imagine a world with fashion magazines having pictures of realisitically sized people?

Boo, hiss Cathy Gould:

"Cathy Gould, of New York's Elite modelling agency, said the fashion industry was being used as a scapegoat for weight-related illnesses.

"I understand they want to set this tone of healthy beautiful women but what about discrimination against the model and what about the freedom of the designer?" she asked, adding that the careers of naturally "gazelle-like" models could be damaged."

(My bolding.)

WTF!?!?!