London Fashion Week Debate

Posted by Lori Henry Mar 27, 2007

The coverage for the recent ban of underweight models in Spain, and the controversy in Italy, the United States and London, has been tremendous. The eating disorder-related deaths of models like Luisel and Eliana Ramos, and Ana Caroline Reston, were also, and still continue to be, widely discussed.

In London, the British Fashion Council has taken the current debate and given it voice. Too-skinny models are not the only ones working, and certainly not all models have anorexia or bulimia, but the message the fashion industry is sending to young and impressionable girls is that models that they look up to have to be skin and bones in order to be considered beautiful.

Lady Kingsmill, a Labour peer and former deputy chairwoman of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, has spearheaded an inquiry into the health of models during London Fashion Week. This includes industry representatives, medical professionals and eating disorder experts.

The outcome of this report will be incorporated into next year’s London Fashion Week in September.

The Eating Disorders Association has responded positively to this action, stating, "We particularly welcome involvement of someone with such an established reputation as Lady Kingsmill." (Guardian Unlimited, 2007)

For a list of all coverage, click here.