Model Sanctuary

The size zero debate has waned a bit since 2006, however, fashion week always resurfaces the issue of how thin is too thin. New York Fashion week just began Friday, so it's too early to tell how many rail thin models there may be walking down the runway. The last I had heard was that designers were choosing models who were maybe a size two or four rather than the infamous zero to wear their clothes. But beyond that and several basic guidelines drawn up, there hasn't been much done on a worldwide scale.

London, however, has made a bold move with their model sanctuary which was established two years ago by supermodel Erin O'Connor. (On a side note, it is interesting, because she was quoted in other articles as saying she felt health checks would infringe upon model's dignity and rights) The model sanctuary, housed by a full-time nutritionist and psychologist, is a safe, confidential place where models can discuss issues relating to the modeling world such as eating disorders, stress, self-esteem problems, etc. The house is sure to provide plenty of food throughout the day as well.

Perhaps, others will begin their own model sanctuaries. At the London house, over a thousand models have walked through the doors. Models are obviously seeing the need and maybe beginning to take care of themselves as well.

Speaking of organizations, fellow blogger Kyla has co-founded the Healthy Models Coalition, an organization whose mission is to "fight against the symptoms, causes, stigmatization, and co-morbid conditions of eating disorders." Currently, their primary focus is passing legislation to mandate the industry have healthy models. I encourage you to check out the site and offer your voice as well.

On another interesting side note, it is apparent that Heidi Klum is not immune to attacks about her body. This article talks about how Klum is considered too fat for the runway. Hopefully, Heidi shrugs off these claims as she is in high demand in plenty of other areas in her life. This just reminds me how I never want to live a celebrity life, having your body scrutinized in every such way. No thank you to living under a microscope.

Project Runway and NY Fashion Week

Okay, I admit, I watch Project Runway. I'm not exactly sure why, other than as a child, I wished I was 5'10 and could have been a model in a different life. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on how I'm feeling that day, that did not happen for me. Instead, I only reached a mere 5'1 1/2 (on a good day) with an absolutely different body shape--one of athleticism and musculature. A body I'm trying to learn, accept, and appreciate.

Still though, I watch the show. I think it's the creative aspect I enjoy. Plus, I find anyone who can sew amazing. I just can't imagine putting together those pieces so fast. However, the funny thing is that I'd probably never buy most of the pieces featured on the show or during fashion week.

I'm kind of confused this season since NY Fashion Week was last week, and there are still 6 contestants left. According to this salon article, the 6 contestants showed their collections at Bryant Park. My guess is only that the top three or four will actually be shown on television, and there will be a few elimination challenges left. I guess that's the nice thing about the ability to edit. Still though, that kind of leaves the fun "live" aspect out of it, as well as Bryant park being the pinnacle, ultimate reward for the best designers. So any guesses on who is going to win?

On a side note, this is an interesting piece about NY Fashion Week and asking whether it is the economics of the fashion industry that perpetuate models to stay skinny. By the way, apparently, there was some applause because models were not size zero, just a barely size 2 and 4. Oh how curvaceous can we be?

Quintessentially Models

The modeling industry hasn't been in the news for awhile, but then again no one has died either. Sorry bad choice of words but is true. Next month is London's Fashion Week which always brings about a buzz. However, one modeling agency, Quintessentially Models, is not making a buzz so much about the models, but the fact that the British Fashion Council (BFC) has decided to disregard the compulsory health checks for models. Last year, the BFC came up with 14 recommendations under the Model Health Inquiry as a safeguard for the health of models. However, they felt that the compulsory health checks which ensured that models were free of eating disorders and healthy enough to work, were "unworkable" and "counter-productive." One model, Erin O'Connor, felt that the checks "infringed a model's dignity and rights."

According to Eleni Renton, the founder of Quintessentially Models, an "ethical" modeling agency, she feels that the decision of the BFC is poor and weak and that public funding for the show should be pulled. She feels that it is only promoting unhealthy ideals. Her take on Miss O'Connor's comments is that it is nonsense, that compulsory health checks are easily doable. She feels that the industry will never change without having guidelines and enforcing them and having designers create clothing that is simply not just reserved for skinny models. Also, another point made by a model is that if agents stopped sending out thin models, then designers would be forced to use healthy sizes.

So the model debate continues. I do applaud Renton's efforts for establishing a different kind of modeling agency. Her agency only employs models who are in the healthy BMI range and if individuals are getting too thin, then weight gain is encouraged. There is also an in-house counselor for models to talk to, as well as nutritional health checks. Her models have landed campaigns with Nivea, Lancome, Vogue, and Marie Claire.

Although Renton is not in the norm for a modeling agency, maybe others will follow in her lead. As I said before, change never happens without an uproar, and it has to be within the industry itself. But small changes can make a difference and prove to others that there are more options out there.

Anti-anorexia charter for French fashion industry

France is also in the news with the recent signing of the fashion industry's "Charter on voluntary engagment over the body image and against anorexia" The idea is to promote healthy body image among models. This charter has guidelines but does not give a minimum BMI.

I think overall this is just a good thing in terms of working models for their own safety. However, it is questionable still that even with some of these new guidelines by a variety of countries whether models are still too skinny. I remember reading awhile back in an article that quoted Nina Garcia, fashion editor of Elle magazine, that the models this year were skinnier than the year before. As with anything, change takes time.