The Style Files: The Great Weight Debate

Paris, which often seems to be in the forefront of all things style and pretty much has elegance written into its genetic code, is again confronting one of the dark sides of fashion: the glamorization of uuber-thin women.

Backed by President François Hollande’s Socialist government, the French Parliament is currently debating legislation that would effectively set minimum weights for women and girls to work as models. A step that supporters of the bill say is necessary to combat the persistence of unhealthy body stereotypes and anorexia.

If it becomes law modeling agencies and fashion houses that employ models who fall under the set standards  will face criminal penalties. Violators would have to pay a fine of about Rs. 9 million and serve as many as six months in prison. Israel already bans the use of underweight and underage models.

The struggle over the appearance and health of fashion models is hardly a new one. In 2006 the deaths of two models, a Brazilian and a Uruguayan saw the industry come under heavy scrutiny and criticism. The death in 2010 of French model and actress, Isabelle Caro, who at one point weighed just 55 pounds was a turning point for regulators to legislate.

So far the fashion industry has opposed legislation to address the issue, although a number of designers have spoken out in favor of using “healthy models” and promoting healthful lifestyles.

Glancing through photos from the recent Fashion Weeks from around the world reveals many women whose bodies are almost without curves, gaunt and in some cases emaciated.

Is there is a connection between fashions images of women and the continuing phenomenon of thousands of primarily, but not exclusively, young women suffering from anorexia? It’s hard to determine, but not glorifying unhealthily thin women is a good start.

By Minoli Ratnayake