2008 Woodie Awards
Bundchen says that families are at fault for anorexia, not fashion industry where thin is the norm
Alison Jalbert
Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: Features
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After decades of displaying scarily skinny supermodels, the fashion industry is finally starting to put some restrictions on the body types of the models they hire.
Following the 2006 death of Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston from anorexia complications, the fashion world has begun to set limits and guidelines that models have to follow.
Spain has banned models under the age of sixteen, and all models are required to show proof of good health before they will be considered.
The Italian government and the heads of the major Italian fashion labels have signed pacts to keep overly skinny models off the catwalk.
While these small but gradual restrictions may seem like a good starting off point for the fashion industry to change its standard of beauty, last week's fall 2007 Fashion Week in New York proved that it will take a lot of effort to make a little progress.
The models strutting down the runway in New York were no different from any other year-gaunt, leggy supermodels who appeared to be in need of any sort of caloric intake.
It is disappointing to see American fashion designers so hesitant to change, especially after so many of them complain that the fashion industry is unfairly blamed for encouraging anorexia and bulimia.
If American designers feel that they have become a scapegoat, then why not try to make a change? And what better time to do it than Fashion Week, when all eyes are on New York?
However, Gisele Bundchen, supposedly the world's greatest supermodel, has let the world know that she feels the fashion industry has been wrongly named as a contributor to eating disorders.
"I never suffered from [anorexia] because I had a very strong family base. Parents are responsible, not the fashion industry," she said.
So you mean to tell me that all this time it has been parents setting an unreachable standard for their children? It had nothing to do with the "heroin-chic" supermodels on display in every magazine or on every billboard?
Following the 2006 death of Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston from anorexia complications, the fashion world has begun to set limits and guidelines that models have to follow.
Spain has banned models under the age of sixteen, and all models are required to show proof of good health before they will be considered.
The Italian government and the heads of the major Italian fashion labels have signed pacts to keep overly skinny models off the catwalk.
While these small but gradual restrictions may seem like a good starting off point for the fashion industry to change its standard of beauty, last week's fall 2007 Fashion Week in New York proved that it will take a lot of effort to make a little progress.
The models strutting down the runway in New York were no different from any other year-gaunt, leggy supermodels who appeared to be in need of any sort of caloric intake.
It is disappointing to see American fashion designers so hesitant to change, especially after so many of them complain that the fashion industry is unfairly blamed for encouraging anorexia and bulimia.
If American designers feel that they have become a scapegoat, then why not try to make a change? And what better time to do it than Fashion Week, when all eyes are on New York?
However, Gisele Bundchen, supposedly the world's greatest supermodel, has let the world know that she feels the fashion industry has been wrongly named as a contributor to eating disorders.
"I never suffered from [anorexia] because I had a very strong family base. Parents are responsible, not the fashion industry," she said.
So you mean to tell me that all this time it has been parents setting an unreachable standard for their children? It had nothing to do with the "heroin-chic" supermodels on display in every magazine or on every billboard?
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Agnes Benko
posted 2/16/07 @ 11:53 AM EST
Don't let a few negative remarks throw you off. The fashion industry has begun to change and this change will be felt all the way around the world. I've noticed that some scrawny looking models or agents representing them are just trying their utmost to hold on to the catwalk. (Continued…)
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