2008 Woodie Awards
Model Behavior?
The industry questions possible body weight laws
Brittany Lacey
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: News
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High fashion is paying a high price.
Everything is not always so beautiful under the bright lights, big heels and expensive couture of the catwalk.
The recent death of model Luisel Ramos' after she left the runway in Europe at Fashion Week has sparked controversy.
The 22-year-old Uruguayan model died of heart failure.
But Ramos is not the only beauty that has passed.
21-year-old Brazilian supermodel, Ana Carolina Reston, also recently died from the deadly side effects attributed to Anorexia.
Both of these deaths have raised concern in the fashion world.
Some top models may now be kicked off the catwalk because of a ban put on "super-thin chic."
This "weighty" issue was also made prominent in the past when models like Kate Moss, hit the runway with a look known as "heroine chic."
During Madrid's Fashion Week, certain models were banned from participating in the show due to their unhealthy, and skeletal, stature. A new law is being introduced concerning the weight of specifically models under the age of 18.
New York lawmaker, Jose Rivera, is leading the fight in establishing "healthy" weight standards for young fashion models.
Rivera wants to create a state advisory board to set standards and guiding principles for models and entertainers under the age of 18.
The recommended board will include health experts, industry representatives, models and entertainers.
Some people, like professor and author Debbie Danowski, "Spectrum Newspaper" and "Pioneer Magazine" advisor who has published four books concerning body image issues, believes this proposed law crosses a very important line.
"Any regulation that we pass about someone's body, no matter how well-intentioned, crosses a line," said Danowski. "Body weight is very personal.
"Because of the nature of the law and the law being directed towards TV stars and models under 18, there's a different level of acceptance about this sort of law. I think it's very much designed to protect those suffering from a growing problem that can be fatal."
Everything is not always so beautiful under the bright lights, big heels and expensive couture of the catwalk.
The recent death of model Luisel Ramos' after she left the runway in Europe at Fashion Week has sparked controversy.
The 22-year-old Uruguayan model died of heart failure.
But Ramos is not the only beauty that has passed.
21-year-old Brazilian supermodel, Ana Carolina Reston, also recently died from the deadly side effects attributed to Anorexia.
Both of these deaths have raised concern in the fashion world.
Some top models may now be kicked off the catwalk because of a ban put on "super-thin chic."
This "weighty" issue was also made prominent in the past when models like Kate Moss, hit the runway with a look known as "heroine chic."
During Madrid's Fashion Week, certain models were banned from participating in the show due to their unhealthy, and skeletal, stature. A new law is being introduced concerning the weight of specifically models under the age of 18.
New York lawmaker, Jose Rivera, is leading the fight in establishing "healthy" weight standards for young fashion models.
Rivera wants to create a state advisory board to set standards and guiding principles for models and entertainers under the age of 18.
The recommended board will include health experts, industry representatives, models and entertainers.
Some people, like professor and author Debbie Danowski, "Spectrum Newspaper" and "Pioneer Magazine" advisor who has published four books concerning body image issues, believes this proposed law crosses a very important line.
"Any regulation that we pass about someone's body, no matter how well-intentioned, crosses a line," said Danowski. "Body weight is very personal.
"Because of the nature of the law and the law being directed towards TV stars and models under 18, there's a different level of acceptance about this sort of law. I think it's very much designed to protect those suffering from a growing problem that can be fatal."
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