As a way to help fight eating disorders, some fashion industry power players have adopted the “skinny model ban.” As reported by Reuters, in addition to Madrid, Spain’s skinny model ban, top Israeli retail companies have followed suit.
In order for models to be allowed on the runway or on print, the model has to pass a Body Mass Index, a test that divides your weight in pounds by your height in inches to find your appropriate weight. Therefore, designers have turned away superstar models as big as Naomi Campbell.
But is this really the solution to a much bigger problem?
Parents and the World Health Organization should enforce positive bodily images for young children.
Some people do not gain weight until later in life. What should the fashion industry say to those who, for some reason, cannot gain weight?
Instead of banning skinny models and believing that eating disorders will disappear, it’s time to place some blame on parents, the government and health organizations. People should look at society as a whole.
The fashion industry should employ more plus-size models. This will allow society to see that people with weight on them need love too and look just as good in cloths as skinnier people.
But, if there is a ban on skinny models, why not finish the so-called “health-conscience world ban” and ban fast food and famous unhealthy restaurants because they too are adding to the unhealthy weight gain of children and adults?
Katrelle Simmons for the editorial board.