It is impossible not to be affected to some degree by the thousands of images we see every single day, which have all been manipulated, airbrushed and photo-shopped, to promote a size that is unattainable, without becoming dangerously unwell. The damage this can do to a young girl's self-esteem, or those already suffering from poor body image is truly alarming.
Anorexic, Size Zero Fashion Models Glorify Eating Disorders
Whether a model is naturally a size zero, has an eating disorder or not, there is no getting away from the fact that anorexic-looking models appear to glorify eating disorders. On the front covers of newspapers and magazines, there are fashion models featured who would not look out of place in an eating disorder unit, with ribs clearly visible and hip bones jutting out. The message this sends out to countless girls and women, is that you need to look a completely unrealistic size, in order to be successful or attractive. During treatment for anorexia, a healthy target weight is typically set at BMI 20. How is it right for eating disorders sufferers have to be a minimum of BMI 20 and put up with fashion models being glorified for being the size they were whilst seriously ill in hospital?
How the Fashion Industry can Avoid Glorifying Anorexia
Having looked at the ways in which the fashion industry appears to glorify eating disorders, such as anorexia, it is important to identify what can be done to avoid this hideously damaging trend from continuing. The main issue seems to relate to the teeny size of clothing samples being sent to modelling agencies, to be featured on the catwalk and in magazines. Here are a few ways the fashion industry may be able to prevent acting in a manner which glorifies life-threatening anorexia:
- set a minimum of BMI 19 across the board, including at London Fashion Week
- ban any images which show ribs and bones sticking out, or gaunt faces
- fashion designers should design clothes to fit healthy bodies, not skeletons
- every picture should be clearly marked as 'photo-shopped' or 'digitally enhanced.'
Health of Catwalk Models - Worldwide Approaches to Eating Disorder Prevention
Since the initial furor about the size zero trend on the catwalk, there has been a Model Enquiry, set up by the British Fashion Council in 2007. However, apart from the odd plus-sized model, this still has sadly not led to any legal, concrete changes in the UK. Unlike in London, the rest of the world has seen some progress in relation to eating disorder prevention, including as follows:
- Madrid - restricted models with a BMI less than 18.5 participating in catwalk shows
- Milan - banning ultra-thin models
- Africa - Africa Fashion International bans size zero models
- New York - stick-thin models banned from appearing in 2011 collection
- Australia - nutritionists monitor models at Melbourne Fashion Week
Thankfully, some designers are beginning to wake up to the fact that the fashion industry has got to take responsibility and stop glorifying skeletal models who appear more anorexic than attractive. Much work still needs to be done, making it important to keep this issue at the forefront.
Sources:
British Fashion Council Model Health Inquiry
Orbach, S. (2010) Bodies London: Profile Books
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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