Should models designated as “too thin” be banned from the industry?
A question often posed by critics and health advocates alike; should “too skinny” people be banned from modeling? According to a new law in France, if you are decided to be unhealthily thin, you cannot work in the fashion industry as means “To avoid the promotion of unattainable ideas of beauty and to prevent youth anorexia” – Marisol Touraine, French Minister of Social Affairs and Health.
This new law sets to protect the health and promote wellness amongst fashion models. Brands will only be permitted employ female models above the size 32 (UK size 4, US size 6) and male models above the size 42 (UK size 32, US size 36 or XXS).
But what about models that could look unhealthily skinny but are simply just very thing? The French solution is to require models to present a certificate from their doctor stating that they are healthy individuals. The certificate would have to be from the past two years, but two of the biggest fashion conglomerates, LVMH and Kering, would amend their own deadline to a six month time frame. This shortened time frame would affect famous luxury brands owned by these two business. The list includes Gucci, Dior, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton.
Not only is the French government requiring health certificates, but they are banning the use of models under the age of 16 for adult clothing lines. There is also a new set of working conditions that all French modeling agencies must abide by to keep conditions safe for models!
Of course, France isn’t the first country to pass such laws. In 2006, Spain and Italy both passed laws preventing too skinny models from working based on their BMI. Israel passed a similar law in 2012, although in Israel, even a health certificate can’t prove you are healthy if you are under 18.5 BMI.
This new wave of French reform has had an encouraging welcome by the public. But of course not all opinions are the same. What do our collegiettes think of this new law? Does it seem effective for promoting health? Or does it go too far in limiting career choices for models who are naturally very thin? Comment below!